Long Term Planning

The 4th and last objective written into the Farmers Market of Cumberland County Local Food Initiative to plan for continuation of enhanced Farmers Market services past the end of the two year grant.

Objective 4: The project will work towards improving the markets sustainability by incorporating as a non-profit entity and developing a long term business plan so that the market continue to support the needs of our community after this project is complete.

The work plan (to-do-list) includes the following items in red.  I added the last one after the grant was funded: we didn't think of this until later. 
The grant objectives and the Market Coordinator were assisted by County Judge Executive John Phelps and the Grant Advisory Group, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Farm Alliance, Kentucky Cabinet for Agriculture Research (KCARD), Cumberland County Fair Board, Cumberland County Extension, and the Board of Farmers Market of Cumberland County Local Food Initiative, Inc., the non-profit that now sponsors our Farmers Market,
  • Examine market progress and adjust market strategies through monthly meetings with KCARD and other advisory groups.
  • Formally organize as a non-profit entity to continue the activities of the project.
We received our IRS letter, recognizing us as formal Non-Profit on May 9, 2017.
  • Assemble a board of interested citizens for that entity
  • Sufficiently administer the grant to complete all required reports and remain in compliance with the Farmers Market Promotion Program stipulations
  • Conduct a Pig-Roast fundraiser, to establish a win-win way to raise money for ongoing expenses.