1. www.AgMRC.org Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Overview of AgMRC Madeline Schultz Iowa State University

2. 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

3. 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

4. www.AgMRC.org Mission of AgMRC To provide independent producers and processors with critical information needed to build successful value added agricultural enterprises.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. www.AgMRC.org

13. Markets & Industries Examines trends, structures, outlooks, international issues –Food –Energy –Fiber –Bio-products –Pharmaceutical –Transportation

14. www.AgMRC.org Markets & Industries, cont. For example: Food section contains –Market trends –Industry structure –Direct markets –Food safety –Branded products –Labeling issues

15. www.AgMRC.org

18. Business Development Walks users through process of establishing a business –Analysis –Creation –Governance –Financing –Personnel –Expansion

19. 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

20. www.AgMRC.org

23. 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

24. www.AgMRC.org

26. Research Home to papers from partners –Center for Ag and Rural Development –Kansas State University –University of California –Other universities

27. www.AgMRC.org Research CARD Topics: –Traceability –Quality management systems –Alliance marketing –Cluster development –Farmer owned brands –Animal welfare guides

28. www.AgMRC.org Research Kansas State University Topics: –Business planning process –Alternative financing for value-added –Process verified manual –Business execution

29. 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

30. 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

31. www.AgMRC.org

34. 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

35. www.AgMRC.org Contact Information Ag Marketing Resource Center 1111 NSRIC Ames, IA 50011-3310 Phone: 866-277-5567 E-mail: agmrc@iastate.eduagmrc@iastate.edu Web site: www.agmrc.org

36. Ag Decision Maker National Farm Management Conference June 12, 2007 Ann Holste Extension Program Specialist www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm

38. 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

41. What is it? Four main subject matter areas –Crops –Livestock –Whole Farm –New Business Development (Value-added) www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm

42. Subject matter areas

43. 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

44. Delivery Methods

45. Other information

46. 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

47. Decision Tools

48. 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

49. Questions or Comments Thank you! Website: www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm Contact: agdm@iastate.edu