Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
A three-part webinar series from the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office and Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD), walking producers through what it takes to direct market lamb, goat, and fiber. Recorded in response to surging consumer interest in locally raised meat, the series covers production, processing, business planning, and sales channels from farmers markets to restaurants to online.
Video 1: Raising Sheep & Goats
Dr. Don Ely (University of Kentucky) covers finished lamb targets, slaughter weights by ewe and ram breed, and ration formulation. Kelly Yates (Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office) walks through goat production for ethnic holiday and farmers market channels.
Sarah Beth Peredo covers fiber as a year-round management commitment. Producers Eileen O’Donoghue and Denise Martin share lessons from the field.
Video 2: Processing and Business Planning
Dr. Gregg Rentfrow (University of Kentucky) lays out USDA inspection requirements, finding the right processor, and packaging decisions.
Sarah Beth Peredo covers what determines fiber value, working with mills, and why more processing means more profit.
Brent Lackey (KCARD) closes with business planning fundamentals: goals, market research, pricing, financials, and the recordkeeping that tells you whether any of it is working.
Video 3: Sales and Marketing
Kelly Yates opens with consumer preferences and the Try Something Different Tonight campaign. Olivia Vogel (KCARD) covers direct-to-consumer channels including CSAs, bundles, farmers markets, and online sales.
Eileen O’Donoghue shares how she sells across cuts, restaurants, and markets. Sarah Beth Peredo covers fiber-specific venues including the Kentucky Fiber Trail. Nancy Cox (Kentucky Department of Agriculture) closes with Kentucky Proud, grant programs, and farmers market basics.