Persistent poverty rcdg - rural cooperative development grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services awarded a $200,000 Project Grant under the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program (CFDA 10.771) to The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc. (KCARD) on September 22, 2023. This 2-year grant supports KCARD's efforts to improve economic conditions in rural Kentucky by providing technical assistance, training, and business planning services to individuals and entities seeking to establish or enhance rural cooperative enterprises. The funding enables KCARD to deliver a range of services aimed at strengthening local food systems, developing agricultural cooperatives, and assisting farmers in expanding their operations. This includes connecting direct-to-consumer farmers with new markets, offering business planning support, and increasing access to training resources. KCARD has also leveraged this grant to provide technical support for starting, expanding, and improving the operations of rural cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses in the state.