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New Kentucky Small Farm Economy
Reverts Back to Early Roots of Entrepreneurialism
| Before tobacco Kentucky was a leading national grower of grapes. It's farms produced a wide range of products sold in the neighboring communities. The income attractiveness of raising tobacco pushed aside other money-making possibilities. With the demise of tobacco price supports and tobacco settlement money the State of Kentucky has, with bipartisan support, invested wisely in the growth potential of ideas and energy found in its small farm population.
McDowell Farms of Germantown, Kentucky, is a leading proponent of the farm-based entrepreneurial movement that has been made possible by the development of infrastructure in Kentucky allowing the migration of good food ideas to the marketplace. A late mother's recipe for great salsa was the beginning at McDowell Farms. The growth at McDowell is a result of the passion the sisters felt for their mother and the available programs allowing for small business growth.
Maysville, Kentucky is the adjoining larger community where sisters Belinda Fay and Carla McDowell of McDowell Farms work their regular full-time jobs. Belinda is a Nurse Supervisor at a rehabilitation facility and Carla is a veteran 1st Grade Teacher. In this community they are known as the "Salsa Sisters". Both sisters are grandmothers and each has significant youthful energy. Initially, McDowell Farms began its salsa operation under Kentucky House Bill 391. After the sisters decided that making and bottling product in the farm kitchen was not going to produce enough product they began to consider a commercial kitchen. Carla's husband David (also an educator) began a search on the internet for the money they needed for the expansion. As it turned out there was money available from the State of Kentucky Office of Ag Policy but there were significant requirements to setting up a commercial kitchen at the farm. Jason Boggs followed by David Barber at Morehead State University Small Business Development Center provided invaluable assistance in conceptualizing the business plan. It was a significant but necessary challenge to the Salsa Sisters to think beyond their salsa recipes and think of them as a product in a business. As a requirement they attended Commercial Kitchen Certification School at Ohio State University.
The Governor's Office of AG Policy issued a $56,000 grant to match the $56,000 put up by the McDowells. It's interesting to note that the money put up by Kentucky is a forgivable loan. Their requirement in payback is that McDowell Farms purchase at least $5600 a year for 10 years of Kentucky grown produce. Produce is purchased at the Buffalo Trace Produce Auction. This enables them to use the logo Kentucky Proud. This program has proven to be quite successful and it's one McDowell Farms supports. They also support The River Valley Agritourism Alliance.
Carla's son Brian and his new wife Brianne made the road trip to Fleming County for the Covered Bridge Festival. During the week both are teachers but are important ingredients in the expanding line of salsas and jellies.
A SIGN OF CORPORATE PROGRESS IS THE PROGRESSION OF CHOPPING MACHINES In 2004 the "Salsa Sisters" won the Kentucky Entrepreneur of the Year award. In the summer of 2007 McDowell Farms joined the NASFT (National Association of the Specialty Food Trade) - an important step in the national distribution of their products. Their product may be purchased on line at www.mcdowellfarmssalsa.com , in numerous stores in North Central Kentucky and Cincinnati, Oh and at Specialty Food America! Inc. Telephone: 1.606.728.2433 McDowell Farms Salsa ARTICLE BY: TOM MARSHALL, SPECIALTY FOOD AMERICA! INC. |
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