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Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. Overview of AgMRC Madeline Schultz Iowa State University. History of AgMRC. Iowa State University – leader in value-added agricultural efforts Improve upon Iowa’s value-added economy; assist producers nationally Named as part of Farm Bill
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Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Overview of AgMRC Madeline Schultz Iowa State University www.AgMRC.org
History of AgMRC • Iowa State University – leader in value-added agricultural efforts • Improve upon Iowa’s value-added economy; assist producers nationally • Named as part of Farm Bill • Funding secure through 2008 www.AgMRC.org
AgMRC • Brings together experts from: • Iowa State University • Kansas State University • University of California • To collect and interpret information about value-added agriculture www.AgMRC.org
Mission of AgMRC To provide independent producers and processors with critical information needed to build successful value added agricultural enterprises. www.AgMRC.org
Goals of AgMRC • Create an electronic, Web-based library • Provide information on business principles, legal, financial and logistical issues • Coordinate research and outreach systems • Develop a mass of national specialists • Sustain the activities of the center www.AgMRC.org
Building the Center Development of the Web site • Began in earnest in March 2002 • Represented more than 33 major commodities • More than 2,000 links • Commodities were first area of emphasis; business development second area of emphasis • Content added daily www.AgMRC.org
Web Site Measurements • Measure hits, downloads and time to gauge usage • Hits in 2002 • just over 1 million • Hits in fiscal year 2006 • 30.5 million • Hits to date in fiscal year 2007 • 20.7 million • Average 3,500 visits/day; 40,000 downloads/month www.AgMRC.org
Web Site Sections • Broken down into: • Commodities & Products • Markets & Industries • Business Development • Research • Directories & State Resources • What’s New • Calendar of Events • About AgMRC www.AgMRC.org
Commodities & Products • 12 main sections • 175 niche opportunities • Different ways to add value to products • New marketing avenues • On-farm processing • Cooperatives www.AgMRC.org
Markets & Industries • Examines trends, structures, outlooks, international issues • Food • Energy • Fiber • Bio-products • Pharmaceutical • Transportation www.AgMRC.org
Markets & Industries, cont. • For example: • Food section contains • Market trends • Industry structure • Direct markets • Food safety • Branded products • Labeling issues www.AgMRC.org
Business Development • Walks users through process of establishing a business • Analysis • Creation • Governance • Financing • Personnel • Expansion www.AgMRC.org
Business Development • More than 100 categories • 320 sub-categories • Specific information files posted on the site that contain business development educational information • Section contains links to specific business development articles located on other Web sites www.AgMRC.org
Online Tools • Continue to add business tools to site • Additional area of focus in coming year • Streaming videos – focus on biorenewable energy conferences and programs • Feasibility tools and calculators on wine, small processing plants, flour mills, small-scale slaughter facilities and more www.AgMRC.org
Research • Home to papers from partners • Center for Ag and Rural Development • Kansas State University • University of California • Other universities www.AgMRC.org
Research • CARD Topics: • Traceability • Quality management systems • Alliance marketing • Cluster development • Farmer owned brands • Animal welfare guides www.AgMRC.org
Research • Kansas State University Topics: • Business planning process • Alternative financing for value-added • Process verified manual • Business execution www.AgMRC.org
Research • University of California Topics: • Labeling of genetically modified foods • Dairy industry marketing structure • Estimates of California consumption of agricultural products • Research papers written on the wine industry and dairy industry • Marketing orders www.AgMRC.org
Directories & State Resources • Searchable calendar of events • Searchable database of 282 value-added consultants • Searchable database of 132 value-added businesses • Directory of AIC information • Each state has a specific page with individual contacts and state specific links & laws www.AgMRC.org
National Coordination/Cooperation • Information provided by AgMRC not duplicative of other service providers across the U.S. • Member of Cooperation Works! • Coordinate AIC web site hosting/assistance • Direct users to local assistance/resources www.AgMRC.org
Contact Information Ag Marketing Resource Center 1111 NSRIC Ames, IA 50011-3310 Phone: 866-277-5567 E-mail: agmrc@iastate.edu Web site: www.agmrc.org www.AgMRC.org
Ag Decision Maker National Farm Management Conference June 12, 2007 Ann Holste Extension Program Specialist www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
History • 1979- Idea began by Don Hofstrand • Sent a handbook out across Northern Iowa • 1990’s - printed version expanded and it was renamed Ag Decision Maker • 2001 - Internet version began • Monthly e-mails are sent to notification list • 2006 - Added a CD-ROM option and sponsorships began www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
What is it? • Four main subject matter areas • Crops • Livestock • Whole Farm • New Business Development (Value-added) www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Delivery Methods • Five components to obtain information • Newsletter – Printed monthly • Information Files – 333 files • Decision Tools – 102 spreadsheets • Teaching Aids – 48 assignments • Voiced presentations, and videos – just began adding these – 3 available www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Other Information • About AgDM • Information on how to use the web site • Contact information • Subscription information • Specialists • Campus and Farm Management staff info • Update notification for monthly e-mail • Related web sites • Links to other ISU resources, and similar web sites from other universities www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Decision Tools • Electronic Spreadsheets • Require Excel • Comments and instructions are included in each Decision Tool along with a link to the corresponding Information File • Links are also included to outside web sites for information (loan rates, CBOT, etc.) • Operator safe • Locked to prevent errors • Not password protected www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Questions or Comments Thank you! Website: www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm Contact: agdm@iastate.edu