MarketReady Producer Training Program

MarketReady Producer Training Program MarketReady educates & trains KY growers & food producers interested in expanding their business.

The MarketReady Producer Training program addresses the market development risks and relationships small farmers and ranchers must manage as they seek to develop supplier relationships with restaurants, grocery, wholesale and foodservice buyers. Significant opportunity exists to build on the demand for local products in local markets, yet many farmers are hesitant or unprepared to meet the transac

tional requirements required by these buyers to manage their own food safety, insurance, product quality, and traceability risks. MarketReady addresses these issues and seeks to educate and help our fabulous food suppliers succeed in today's markets and continue to be profitable, in order to keep farming. The training is based around best business practices identified by buyers in these markets that are actively seeking to engage local suppliers. MarketReady will help farm vendors selling dairy, fruits, meats and vegetables design a better business strategy to succeed.

Last week, we traveled to Charleston, West Virginia, to facilitate a MarketReady Train-the-Trainer program with the West...
06/26/2026

Last week, we traveled to Charleston, West Virginia, to facilitate a MarketReady Train-the-Trainer program with the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition.

During our two-day program...
🔵 Fifteen technical assistance providers were trained to lead & facilitate MarketReady programming.
⚪️ Fourteen value-added producers were educated through the MarketReady Producer Training Program.

It is always exciting to see our extension work travel across state lines. We hope each participant was able to take at least one thing away from our presentation in order to take the next step toward growing their businesses.

We enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition last week in Charleston, West Vir...
06/23/2026

We enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition last week in Charleston, West Virginia for our Train-the-Trainer program! We can’t wait to share our photos from the program later this week.

Today was one of those days that remind us why our work genuinely matters.

A sincere thank you to Tim and Savannah from the MarketReady Producer Training Program for sharing their knowledge, experience, and honest advice with our participants. The direct look into marketing and business sense they provided will help many of our producers and business owners take steps toward growing their businesses.

To everyone who traveled to be with us today, thank you for investing your time in yourself, your products, and your future. We see you, and we love it! We hope you left inspired, encouraged, and packed with new ideas to move forward.

We're also wildly grateful for our team. Your energy, support, and willingness to jump in wherever needed helped make this day a success from start to finish.

And to everyone who has already signed up for the Mountain State Market Academy, thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. It’s a big step, and we’re here to help you build it. We are excited to work alongside you as you grow.

Don’t forget, applications are still open at www.wvfoodandfarm.org/mountain-state-marketing-academy

If you've built something special and you're ready to reach more customers, explore new markets, and take the next step, our team is here to guide you to do exactly that!

06/22/2026

We took a trip down to Charleston yesterday for a fantastic MarketReady Producer Training Program session led by Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia.

It was an incredible day spent hanging out with fellow producers and the dedicated changemakers who work behind the scenes to make things happen for our local agricultural system.

We want to send a huge thank you to everyone at the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition and Appalachian Cellar for hosting such a valuable event and bringing everyone together.

When you strip it all down, the mission remains simple and vital, because it is entirely about getting local food to local people.

We are excited to take everything we learned and put it into action right here at Mountain Table to keep building a stronger, more resilient food community.

Partner Community Capital

It’s almost time! REGISTER HERE! www.eventbrite.com/e/market-ready-training-tickets-1989615061207MarketReady Producer Tr...
06/18/2026

It’s almost time! REGISTER HERE! www.eventbrite.com/e/market-ready-training-tickets-1989615061207

MarketReady Producer Training Program | Thursday, June 18, from 10:30AM to 3:30PM! Folks, this is a one-of-a-kind, hands-on workshop designed to help value-added producers turn hard work into new opportunities.

You'll learn what buyers are really looking for, how to price your products for profit, navigate food safety requirements, manage risk, market your products effectively, and prepare your business for wholesale success.

You'll also hear directly from wholesale buyers during a live panel discussion, giving you honest insight into what helps products stand out and what it takes to get on their shelves.

Spots are limited and filling quickly. Reserve your seat today by scanning the QR code, clicking the registration link, or swiping up on our story before they're gone.

05/24/2026
05/22/2026

Join us Thursday, June 18, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM for MarketReady Training!

We’ve teamed up with MarketReady Producer Training Program to deliver a very in-depth and hands-on program built to help value-added producers take the next step from kitchen tables and farmers' markets to wholesale opportunities and larger buyers. Scan the QR code to reserve your spot, or click here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marketready-training-tickets-1989846120311?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true, or swipe up when you see our story!

This training is about more than selling a product. It’s about helping our hardworking growers and producers build something sustainable for themselves, their families, and their communities. Participants will learn all about product quality and food safety, including pricing, insurance, risk management, and marketing that actually works.

The day will also feature a live panel of wholesale buyers sharing honest insight about what helps products stand out and what gets businesses market-ready.
We’ll see you there!

05/13/2026

📣 LAMP Grant Funding is OPEN!

The USDA Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) includes funding through:
🥕 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
đźšš Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
🌱 Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP)

These grants are designed to strengthen local and regional food systems—from direct-to-consumer sales to food hubs and infrastructure.

đź—“ Deadline: June 5, 2026
đź’° 25% match required

Not sure where to start? KY Center for Ag & Rural Development (KCARD) is here to help you explore ideas, check eligibility, and build a strong proposal.

Reach out—we’re happy to help!

In March, Gabe had the opportunity to join the Center for Profitable Agriculture on the Exploring Agritourism for Your F...
05/05/2026

In March, Gabe had the opportunity to join the Center for Profitable Agriculture on the Exploring Agritourism for Your Farm: On-Farm Insights Tour alongside Dr. Timothy Woods. The day brought together producers and agricultural professionals to explore how farms are diversifying through agritourism, value-added products, and consumer experiences. Read more here 👉

On March 25, I had the opportunity to join the Center for Profitable Agriculture on the Exploring Agritourism for Your Farm: On-Farm Insights Tour alongside Dr. Timothy Woods. The day brought together producers and agricultural professionals to explore how farms are diversifying through agritourism,...

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407 Charles E. Barnhart Building
Lexington, KY
40546

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