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.

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)
🚚 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.

🗓 Deadline: June 5, 2026
💰 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,...

Last week, we hosted our Retail Readiness Marketing Workshop with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Proud...
04/06/2026

Last week, we hosted our Retail Readiness Marketing Workshop with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Proud, and the KY Center for Ag & Rural Development. Check out the event recap here 👉

Last week, we hosted a Retail Readiness Marketing Workshop with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development. At this workshop, food and farm producers gained essential insights into marketing and selling their products in retail spaces. This wo...

This week, we hosted a Retail Readiness Marketing Workshop in partnership with Kentucky Proud and the KY Center for Ag &...
04/03/2026

This week, we hosted a Retail Readiness Marketing Workshop in partnership with Kentucky Proud and the KY Center for Ag & Rural Development at the Fayette County Extension Office. Here is a sneak peek of some of the photos from our event! 📸

The workshop, now in its second year, provided an overview of marketing trends, peer-to-peer panels, discussions, product evaluations, and advice from a variety of local retailers, as well as hands-on workshops for marketing planning and story development.

03/30/2026

Address

407 Charles E. Barnhart Building
Lexington, KY
40546

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