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Introducing: The Value Chain Cluster (VC2) Initiative

Introducing: The Value Chain Cluster (VC2) Initiative. VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution . Program Goals.

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Introducing: The Value Chain Cluster (VC2) Initiative

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  1. Introducing:The Value Chain Cluster (VC2) Initiative VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  2. Program Goals • Deliver hands‐on technical assistance and coaching services to strengthen local food and farm businesses in four regional “value chain clusters” of West Virginia. VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  3. Who’s who • Administering the program: • Natural Capital Investment Fund • Shepherdstown, WV • Coordinating start-up: • West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Oak Hill, WV • West Virginia Community Development Hub VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  4. Who’s who • Steering Committee includes: • WV Small Farm Center • WV Dept. of Education – Office of Child Nutrition • WV Dept. of Education – Office of Career & Technical Instructions • Small Business Development Center (Region I) • WV Dept. of Agriculture • Collaborative for a 21st Century Appalachia • … and others

  5. Geographic Area Served 17 West Virginia Counties covering about 1/3 of the state

  6. Local leaders… • Greenbrier Valley EDC • Heart and Hand, Inc. • Tygart Valley Growers Association • Roane County WVU Extension • Doddridge County WVU Extension • Mountain State Naturals VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  7. What does the program offer? • Technical assistance valued at $3,000 to $5,000 per business or group • Larger amounts for feasibility studies • Use competitive bid process to select consultants • Consultants paid directly by program VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  8. What kind of help can I get? • If you live in the 17 counties, • and are a producer, processor, aggregator 0r distributor of local food, you could apply for: VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  9. What kind of help can I get? • Business planning assistance • Legal assistance (e.g contracts, incorporation) • Technology to access markets • Marketing assistance • Affordable loans through Natural Capital Investment Fund VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  10. Examples • Assistance with HACCP Plans • Assistance with Recipe Formulation • Assistance with Facility Design & Compliance with State & Federal Regulations & 3rd Party Audits • Website Development & Label Design • Transition to Organic Certification VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  11. Examples • Energy Audits • Assistance with REAP Cost Share Grant Applications and Other Programs. • Set-up of Accounting Systems • Market Assessment and Planning • Feasibility study for a new slaughterhouse VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  12. Organizations that serve several businesses, such as co-ops or farmers markets, can apply too. VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  13. Examples • Needs assessment and feasibility study to expand meat processing in a region • Design for regional local food branding campaign • Trainings and support for farmer groups to aggregate and sell to volume buyers VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

  14. So, how do I apply? • Contact: • Marten Jenkins, Natural Capital Investment Fund • mjenkins@conservationfund.org • 304.870.2207 VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

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