KCARD hosts free workshop for Kentucky farmers

By Blake Jackson

The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) is set to host a Farm Diversification workshop aimed at assisting Kentucky farmers in exploring alternatives to tobacco cultivation.

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, the event will take place at Murray State University’s William “Bill” Cherry Exposition Center in Murray.

Brent Lackey, KCARD’s executive director, highlighted the significance of this workshop, stating, “Making the leap from raising tobacco to raising and selling produce or marketing meat to consumers is a big one for farmers. In this one-day workshop, we hope to provide farmers with an overview of all the issues they should consider before planting their first seed and provide the network they will need if they choose to develop the business on their farms.”

KCARD, known for supporting rural businesses throughout the state, aims to bolster Kentucky farmers by offering a range of services.

These include business planning, grant and funding assistance, strategic planning, business management reviews, operations and cost analysis, record keeping development, feasibility studies, and on-site business consultations.

Kati Bowman, KCARD’s marketing and business development specialist, noted, “We’ve noticed that lack of interest in big tobacco companies providing contracts to farmers, so we recognize how important it is to area farmers to have alternate plans to generate income on their farms. We want to help do everything in our power to make sure farmers are successful in transitioning away from the reliance on tobacco farming and sales.”

The free workshop will feature a buyer panel to address questions regarding current market needs and production requirements.

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with resources such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which can enhance their farming ventures.

Lunch will be provided for those attending the workshop. A detailed agenda, including information on participating organizations and speakers, will be available closer to the event date.

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