Last week was an adventure. We added new members to the team and found out about some great opportunities for those in our region. Check them out below!

Grants Helping Farmers

The Kentucky State University (KYSU) Center for the Sustainability of Farms and Families (CSFF), the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF), and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) are providing grants to support small farms. 

The Farmer Education Program and the Small Scale Farm Grant are both open for applications. The Farmer Education Program was created to encourage farmers to further their training in agriculture, which includes aquaculture training, online webinars, and conferences to name a few. The Small Scale Farm Grant was designed to support farmers who grow certain produce to expand agriculture in Kentucky. 

Farmers across the state are encouraged to apply. Special considerations are made for small acreage producers, female farmers, minority farmers, and SOAR county residents. Make sure to check out the applications HERE.

5 Minute Pitch

New Innovation Champion, Kristen Brown, and Manager of Business and Innovation, Sabrina McWhorter, attended 5 Across, a pitch competition for Kentucky Entrepreneurs. 

Pitch contests have five minutes to impress the judges with their business idea. Not only is 5 Across a pitch competition, it’s also a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to network. 

If you’re interested in pitching at 5 Across, you can apply HERE. 

New products from Tree of the Field

Tree of the Field has introduced their new line of aromatic fire logs! In addition to the Skeeterlog, which effectively wards off mosquitos in an eco-friendly all natural way, she offers chimineas and bourbon scented logs, fire pit kits, and now apple, mule, and hickory scented logs. 

With their recently revamped website and online store, you can now build your own fire pit kit with your choice of aroma and supporting items! You can catch Tree of the Field in Rupp Arena on April 1-3 at the Central Kentucky Home and Garden Show. 

Make sure to check out their interview with WYKT discussing their new products.

High School Students Dare to Dream

Sabrina McWhorter, attended the Glockner Dare to Dream Pitch Competition at Shawnee State University this week! The annual pitch competition gives high school students the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panelist of judges. The pitch competition gives away more than $30,000 in prize money, with first place receiving $4,500. 

This year, seven high schools were presented and a total of forty teams participated. Fifteen teams will be moved on to the final pitch set for March 1st. 

If your high school is located in Boyd, Carter, Greenup, or Lawrence county and is interested in participating, make sure to check out the competition’s guidelines.

BRIGHT Leadership KY

Innovation Champion, Cole Atkinson, attended the Leadership Kentucky luncheon as a part of the BRIGHT Cohort. 

BRIGHT will be accepting applications soon and is specifically looking for people in Owsley, Jackson, and Robertson counties. If interested, you can email LKY@leadershipky.org.