College publications are given 2-part "pub numbers" that are used to identify them. The first part (the prefix) is a set of letters that indicates which series the document belongs to. A series is a grouping of documents that share similar content. The second part of the pub number is just a sequential number.
In descending order, by date published.
4/25/2019 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
ooperatives have historically been utilized to market wholesale quantities of produce in Kentucky. In the early 2000s, as many as four grower co-ops in Kentucky were actively marketing tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, cabbage, bell peppers, pumpkins and other crops to wholesale buyers. By 2006, however, produce marketing by grower co-ops had largely disappeared from Kentucky's produce industry, with only one co-op still operating as growers found other ways to market produce. The involvement of co-ops in marketing produce from Kentucky has since been limited. Cooperatives remain a potential form of business organization for specialty crop growers located in a similar geographic area. Producers interested in exploring the cooperative business structure can investigate resources available from the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD), which is recognized by USDA Rural Development as a cooperative development center.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.71 mb
Pages: 3
10/26/2018 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
This fact sheet summarizes concerns for Kentucky produce growers that are interested in beginning or expanding the marketing of organic produce. It is intended only as a starting point; further information will be found through various university and government resources and by consulting with experienced growers of organic produce.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.60 mb
Pages: 5
9/9/2018 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
This list of internet resources has been selected for the benefit of Kentucky commercial producers wanting to learn more about marketing herbs. The broad definition for herbs (herbaceous plants valued for their flavor, scent or medicinal properties) was used in gathering this information. These online resources are provided strictly for informative purposes only; the list does not constitute endorsement of herbal uses, products, businesses or cultural recommendations for herb production. Producers should always research herb production, uses and markets on their own before beginning production.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 630 kb
Pages: 4
2/23/2018 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
A roadside farm market is sometimes distinguished from a roadside stand by location and hours. The term "roadside farm market" can refer to those markets located in permanent facilities at the farm or food manufacturing location; they are typically open most of the year. Roadside stand, by contrast, is a more general term referring to those markets that may be located off the farm and are seasonal in operation.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.60 mb
Pages: 4
2/1/2018 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
The food retail industry saw a renaissance of interest in local and regional sourcing of fresh fruits and vegetables during the 2000s. This interest came within an industry characterized by heavy investment in fewer and larger centralized distribution centers. Although the distribution center model remains prominent within the food retail industry, some retailers have created flexibility within their distribution models to answer consumer demand for local produce. Large retailers are also finding transportation and distribution cost savings by sourcing fresh produce items from new or expanding producers. Smaller chains and local grocers remain potential markets for fresh produce growers expanding to wholesale volumes. Producers of value-added produce products may also find local groceries a possible market for their product.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 3.00 mb
Pages: 4
1/25/2018 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
Sourcing and serving fresh produce from local farms remains a trend in the U.S. foodservice industry. The practice of sourcing locally grown fresh produce, first featured by niche and high-end restaurants, moved into mainstream foodservice distribution channels in the early 2000s. A focus on local food appears to be persisting into the 2020s. The National Restaurant Association's 2018 Culinary Forecast, based on surveys of nearly 700 chefs, identified hyper-local sourcing as the top restaurant concept trend, with local produce also among the Top 10 concept trends.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.60 mb
Pages: 5
12/15/2017 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Miranda Hileman
The MarketReady Producer Training Program instructs producers in the key business functions that small farmers and ranchers must manage as they seek to develop supplier relationships with restaurants, grocers, wholesalers, and foodservice buyers, including schools. While significant opportunity exists to build on the demand for local products in local markets, many farmers are hesitant or unprepared to meet the transactional requirements expected by these buyers to manage their own food safety, insurance, product quality, and traceability risks. MarketReady addresses these issues. After training, producers will be prepared for business transactions when selling a variety of products including dairy, fruits, meats and vegetables.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.60 mb
Pages: 3
6/19/2017 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
The term "regional food hub" has been devised by the USDA to refer to facilities that aid farmers in getting locally produced products to consumer markets.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.00 mb
Pages: 3
5/25/2017 (major revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)is relatively new to the United States, beginning in Massachusetts in 1986 and growing to 60 CSA farms in the U.S. in 1990. The CSA structure grew significantly in popularity among both producers and consumers during the 2000s; by 2009, as many as 6,000 farms were operating a CSA. The 2015 USDA Local Food Marketing Practices Survey reported 7,398 farms nationally selling by CSA for a sales value of $226 million. There were nearly 60 CSAs listed for Kentucky, in 2016, in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture CSA directory. The CSA marketing channel continues to increase in popularity, moving to new demographics besides the original core affluent urban consumer.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 3.30 mb
Pages: 8
10/31/2016 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Schools and institutions have long been identified as potential markets for local and regional food crops. These markets have both generated greater interest and purchases during the past 20 years due to consumer interest, food and health policy initiatives, and changes in school and institutional purchasing and procurement systems.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 864 kb
Pages: 4
7/11/2016 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Kentucky MarketMaker is a web-based marketing aid adapted for Kentucky markets. The primary purpose of this resource is to provide a link between agricultural producers and potential buyers of food products. In addition to a searchable database of markets and growers, MarketMaker also contains a wealth of demographic and business data which can be summarized in a map-based format.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 963 kb
Pages: 2
5/1/2015 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
A produce auction is a market outlet for locally produced wholesale products. Fresh produce, as well as a variety of other agricultural products, are offered for sale to the highest bidder. The auction charges the seller a commission, usually a percent of sales, to cover the auction's operating expenses.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.20 mb
Pages: 5
10/7/2014 (new)
Authors: Miranda Combs
The way we communicate with each other is changing. Many consumers are now using their smartphones or tablet devices to connect to and interact with local businesses. It is becoming very practical to connect your business to your clientele through social media using mobile technology tools. These tools offer easy methods to communicate, connect, and engage with your customers. Social media is increasingly important to marketing your business. Mobile technology tools are becoming more accessible to rural areas and they offer different options to both businesses and customers in increasing the ease of transactions and finding more connections.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 12.80 mb
Pages: 8
9/26/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Roadside stand is generic term for a type of marketing site in which a farm producer sells directly to consumers. A roadside stand is a seasonal, temporary or semi-temporary structure that may be located on or off the farm. A roadside stand may be distinguished from a roadside market in that the latter is usually a permanent structure that is often open year-round.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 774 kb
Pages: 4
6/30/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Pick-Your-Own (PYO), also referred to as U-Pick, occurs when farmers "invite the public onto the farm to harvest their own food."1 Producers searching for new crops, combined with a growing Kentucky population, renewed interest in PYO during the past 20 years.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.30 mb
Pages: 4
6/19/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Burgeoning Asian populations and consumer interest in Asian cuisine helped stimulate increased interest in purchasing fresh Asian vegetables to prepare at home, a trend expected to continue. Caucasian consumers tend to prefer value-added and processed vegetables, but there are market niches for fresh Asian vegetables. Kentucky producers have received inquiries to source edamame (vegetable soybean) and daikon (Chinese radish) at wholesale quantities.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 758 kb
Pages: 6
5/1/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods
The Internet can be utilized in a variety of marketing strategies. Producers may sell their products online through e-commerce, use a website to take orders for their goods, or simply advertise their operation through a "billboard" type website. Social media and blogs provide yet another way the Internet can be used for promoting a farm enterprise. The increase in access to Web-based services through handheld devices makes many customers more immediately accessible to products and services.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 442 kb
Pages: 4
3/25/2014 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
Farmers markets are used by Kentucky growers of all farm sizes and scales. "Market gardeners" often tend less than an acre of land for selling strictly at the local farmers market. On the other hand, some of Kentucky's largest orchards use local farmers markets as a retail outlet during the fall to command a premium price for their crop.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 811 kb
Pages: 6
7/27/2013 (minor revision)
Authors: Cheryl Kaiser
The following list is intended to provide Kentucky growers with resources that will help them on their way to adding value to their raw farm products. Included are the names and contact information of pertinent agencies and departments at the University, State, and Federal levels. Links to government regulations and laws related to processing value-added food products are included, as well as links to other selected Internet resources, fact sheets, and guidebooks.
Departments: Plant Pathology
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 745 kb
Pages: 7
7/1/2013 (minor revision)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is providing an incentive to local restaurants to purchase eligible Kentucky Proud products. The Kentucky Restaurant Rewards Program reimburses participating restaurants and caterers with a percentage of the purchase cost of qualifying products.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 639 kb
Pages: 4
6/28/2011 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
The University of Kentucky's Center for Crop Diversification has sponsored several market research projects evaluating the value consumers place on different crops and product characteristics. This fact sheet will report the results of that research.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 791 kb
Pages: 5
6/28/2011 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
"Value-added agriculture" is a broad term encompassing many practices that increase the value of farm products. Value-added agriculture has come to describe practices as varied as agritourism activities that provide consumers value from visiting a farm to large-scale processing endeavors that create mass-market retail food products from commodity crops.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 741 kb
Pages: 4
6/28/2011 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
This profile identifies the policies and regulations experienced by many value-added crop producers in Kentucky. This is a summary and is intended only to highlight key considerations for crop producers considering value-added products. Producers should always conduct their own investigation of relevant local, state, and federal requirements for their intended value-added production enterprise.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 705 kb
Pages: 5
6/28/2011 (new)
Authors: Matthew Ernst
While a complete list of value-added crop products is impractical due to the number of these products marketed from Kentucky crops, producers considering new value-added enterprises may be helped by a summary of products with similar marketing characteristics. The major types of value-added products derived from Kentucky-grown crops listed here are grouped by marketing characteristics. This profile also includes brief summaries of several Kentucky value-added producer success stories.
Departments: Agricultural Economics
Series: Marketing Profiles: Center for Crop Diversification (CCD-MP series)
Size: 1.40 mb
Pages: 7
