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2-19-08
LEOPOLD CENTER WORKSHOP FEATURES RESOURCES FOR FARMER-LED BUSINESSES
AMES, Iowa -- The latest research on financing and managing niche enterprises,
local food distribution networks and other emerging business opportunities for
farmers will be presented Tuesday, March 11 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 project 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, fiber and energy 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 focus on
niche pork, local and regional foods, fruit and vegetable production, and small
meat processing. Several concurrent sessions will highlight results and updates
for active projects. Topics include:
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Financing niche agricultural businesses;
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Fostering agricultural entrepreneurship in Iowa's immigrant communities;
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Economics of one of Iowa's fastest growing ethnic markets for chevon, or goat
meat;
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Tools to help farmers succeed in niche markets;
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Grass-based and organic dairy options;
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Selling local food to colleges and universities;
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Web-based local food ordering tools; and
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Business planning programs for entrepreneurs and farmers.
In addition to these topics, workshop participants will learn about new research
on tap in more than a dozen new projects underway at the Leopold Center.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by March
5 to ensure a lunch ticket. For more information, contact Pirog at
rspirog@iastate.edu,
or Beth Larabee at blarabee@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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