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10-11-06
LEOPOLD CENTER WORKSHOP FEATURES RESOURCES FOR FARMER-LED BUSINESSES
AMES, Iowa – The latest research on the economics of alternative and organic
enterprises, consumer demand for natural and organic meat, and other emerging
business opportunities for farmers will be presented November 6 at a no-cost
workshop hosted by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
The day-long event will feature presentations on more than 30 projects currently
funded by the Center's Marketing and Food Systems Initiative and the Value Chain
Partnerships for a Sustainable Agriculture project (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 businesses succeed."
Headlining the workshop will be reports from four working groups that target
niche markets for pork, organic flax, local and regional foods, and crops for
renewable energy and fiber production. Several concurrent sessions that follow
will highlight results and updates for active projects.
Topics include:
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Consumer market research;
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Challenges in selling to direct, retail and institutional
food markets;
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Natural and organic meat production and quality management;
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Tools to help farmers succeed in niche markets;
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Linking community-based food systems with health and
economic development;
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Economic impacts and implications of local/regional food,
fiber and energy enterprises;
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Place-based foods and new food entrepreneurs;
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Community supported and local food enterprises; and
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Business planning programs for entrepreneurs and farmers.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by
November 2 to ensure a lunch ticket. For more information, contact Pirog at
rspirog@iastate.edu. A detailed agenda
and registration are on-line at:
www.leopold.iastate.edu/workshop.htm.
For more information,
contact:
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