Leopold Center - December 8 workshop features new resources for farmer-led businesses

11-17-05

DECEMBER 8 WORKSHOP FEATURES NEW RESOURCES FOR FARMER-LED BUSINESSES

The latest research on ecolabels, niche meat marketing, and a number of other new business planning and market discovery tools will be introduced December 8 at a workshop hosted by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

The day-long workshop will feature short presentations by leaders of more than 30 projects currently funded by the Center's Marketing and Food Systems Initiative and the Regional Food Systems Working Group (also coordinated by the Leopold Center). The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Gateway Conference Center and Hotel in Ames.

"The Iowa projects we have supported are truly on the cutting edge of new market strategies for food and fiber enterprises," said Rich Pirog, who leads the Center's Marketing and Food Systems Initiative. "The tools and research findings from these projects can be used to help farmer-led food and fiber businesses succeed."

Headlining the workshop will be demonstrations of new web sites devoted to organic food processors and an on-line interactive mapping system that can be used to link businesses with providers of agricultural products. Also demonstrated will be the new Iowa Produce Market Potential Calculator, a web-based program that looks at supply and demand for 37 fruits and vegetables grown in Iowa.

Results and updates for funded projects will be presented during several concurrent sessions. Topics include:

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by December 5 to ensure a lunch ticket.

For more information, contact Pirog at rspirog@iastate.edu, or register online at www.leopold.iastate.edu/workshop.htm.