Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Mission
To develop high-value industrial crops for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses, along with ethanol and fiber crop production, and cultivate improvement in the economic well-being of farmers and rural communities.
Funds
State of Wisconsin.
Services
Agricultural Development and Diversification grant program, alternative fuel development, aquaculture, direct marketing, new uses, organic agriculture, "Something Special from Wisconsin" brand identity program.
Project example
ADD grants have supported efforts to market cheese from grass-based dairies, studies to improve chicken egg production, and evaluations of dairy manure in potato production.
Cooperative Development Services
Mission
To work with crop and livestock producers to add value to their products through cooperative value-added processing, to identify market niches and opportunities in a changing marketplace, and to provide expertise in conventional, sustainable and organic agriculture.
Funds
Fees for services.
Services
Market research, feasibility analysis, business planning, funding procurement.
Project example
In early 2002, CDS completed a comprehensive market study of the organic dairy industry for a dairy farmer group. Through interviews with industry leaders and secondary research, CDS produced a detailed report and developed a set of recommendations for a value-added organic dairy enterprise.
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Nebraska
University of Nebraska Food Processing Center
Mission
To assist food manufacturers with product and process development. The Center offers a range of business development capabilities in market research, product costing, ingredient sourcing, market testing and business venture development.
Funds
State of Nebraska (through the University of Nebraska).
Services
Pilot plants Ñ extrusion, meat processing, dehydration, packaging, spray drying; laboratory services Ñ comprehensive product development, microbiological services, analytical services, shelf-life and sensory evaluations; marketing services Ñ product costing, customer processing, packaging and ingredient sourcing, market testing, business plan development, product line extension.
Project example
The Food Processing Center worked with the Southeast Iowa Nut Growers Cooperative to identify value-added chestnut products for the foodservice industry. Assistance was provided with processing chestnuts for a test market in upscale restaurants. As a result, the cooperative identified a niche market opportunity for chestnut products.
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Kansas
Agriculture Value Added Center
Mission
To provide technical and financial support for the creation and expansion of producer-based alliances and value-added businesses. AVAC pursues this objective through a foods and feeds program, an industrial agriculture program and a cooperative development program.
Funds
State of Kansas.
Services
AVAC funds provides loans and services to value-added projects for processing and marketing. AVAC assists individual producers, cooperatives and other business structures as well as rural communities.
Project example
In December of 1997, soybean producers from Washington County met to identify ways to add value to their crops. In April of 1998, the producers formed North Central Kansas Processors to finance a soybean crush plant. A year later NCKP leveraged several loans with producer equity and raised $1 million for building the plant, which began operating in July 1999.
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Missouri
Ag Innovation Center, Missouri Department of Agriculture
Mission
To be a resource and assistance center for Missouri's agricultural producers by providing business counseling, training and resources for start-up and expanding agricultural businesses, with a primary emphasis on value-added agriculture.
Funds
State of Missouri.
Services
Assistance in identifying and assessing market opportunities, writing business plans, facilitating projects in the start-up phase, designing new or expanded organizational structures, assessing capitalization strategies, identifying financial assistance opportunities.
Missouri Value Added Development Center
Mission
To (1) provide extension educators with decision support tools with which to assist agriculture producers in the formation and operation of collective businesses, (2) develop a mechanism for linking campus research and extension activities related to value-added agriculture, and (3) provide support and strategic planning input to functional business units.
Funds
State of Missouri (through the University of Missouri).
Services
The Center is home to the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension Agricultural Business Counselors, with 41 professionals trained in business development and leadership skills. The ABCs serve three primary roles: initial contact, information source and value-added educator.
Project example
One Missouri farmer switched from a hog operation to carve out a niche raising and selling varieties of freshwater fish. Some of the fish are sold to restock lakes and rivers, others are for food markets. The producer is now able to set the price he needs rather than simply take the price he's given.
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