Thought this conference might interest some of you in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois...and perhaps elsewhere. Please don't
contact me with questions--I know no more than what's here myself.
:^) Contact Ed Weber (see info at the bottom of the info release).
peace
misha
------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
BRINGING PROFIT BACK TO THE FARM:
Tools and Rules for Value Added Agriculture Conference & Trade Show
CONFERENCE on February 9-10, 1999
Holiday Inn Convention Center, Eau Claire WI
Official Conference Web Site:
http://www.uwrf.edu/ag-resource-center/events
REGISTRATION FORM AT BOTTOM OF MESSAGE
******************************
CONFERENCE AGENDA
******************************
February 9, 1999
8:30-9:30 Registration
9:30-10:30 Introduction - Dr. Larry B. Swain
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-11:20 Networking Your Way to Success
11:20-12:00 Pete Reese
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 - Making Money at Farming
2:30-3:00 Break
3:30-5:00 Breakout by Interest Area
5:00 Open Bar, Visit Exhibits, Music
6:00 Dinner Buffet in Exhibit Hall
7:00 Working Together- Opportunities for Cooperation
8:00 Social/Networking/Fun!
February 10, 1999
8:00-9:30 Creating a Value Added Identity
9:30-10:00 Break
10:00-11:30 Breakout by Interest Area
11:30-12:30 Lunch / Visit Exhibits
12:30-2:00 Telling Your Story
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:30 Breakout by Interest Area
3:30-4:00 Summary and future actions
WORKSHOPS ("Breakouts")
(invited)
The interest group breakouts are where you will hear how real
entrepreneurs in your interest area have applied the principles
presented in the large group sessions. Ask questions, talk to peers
and get immediate feedback on your ideas and ventures!
Dairy
* Ken Heiman, Marshfield WI
* David and Mary Falk, Love Tree Farmstead Cheese, Grantburg WI
* Alan Moody, CROPP/Organic Valley, LaFarge WI
* Mike Hartman, MOM's Organic Milk, Minnesota
* Happy Our's Goat Farm, Byron, MN
Meat
* Mike Lorentz, Lorentz Meats, Cannon Falls MN
* Dennis Rabe, Eagle View Farm, Lake City MN
* Paul Willis, Thornton IA
* Jim Weber, Gunderson Foods, Mondovi WI
* Diane Kaufman, Chippewa Falls WI
Fruits & Vegetables
* Roots and Fruits, Minneapolis MN
* Red Cardinal Farm, Stillwater, MN
* Jane Hawley, Natures Acres, North Freedom WI
* John Marshall, Great River Vineyards, Lake City MN
* Frontier Herbs, Norway IA
Grains & Oilseeds
* Ray Boughton, Colfax WI
* Irvin Osterlau, SoyCo, LLC
* Bo Delong, Clinton, WI, I.P. soybeans and waxy corn
* Bruce Davis, Badger Oil, Spooner WI
Specialty Crops/Tourism
* Faye Jones, Cut Flowers, Spring Valley WI
* David Flannary, Apple Hollar, Racine WI
* Kevin Peterson, Mead Wines, Chisago, MN
Breakout Groups?
Breakout groups defined by your enterprises will meet three times
during the conference, allowing you to ask enterprise specific
questions, build and understanding of the keys to success and to
network with others. Successful individuals from your specific
interest areas will provide you with a firsthand story of their
experience of "inspiration and perspiration" in running a profitable
ag based business. Breakout sessions will be directed by a
facilitator. The facilitator will help the interest group form Based
on the self evaluation worksheets that participants completed in the
morning, and group discussion of details specific to their areas,
(i.e.: regulations, equipment needs, suppliers, processing details,
business organization (coops, shared kitchens, etc.) marketing
options, etc.).
The facilitator and entrepreneur will also lead the group in using
criteria to evaluate the potential of their enterprises, looking for
hidden weaknesses and strengths that will hinder progress if not
anticipated.
*********************************
Conference Sponsored by:
River Country Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D)
Agricultural Resource Center, UW-River Falls
UW Center for Cooperatives
Cooperative Development Services
Milk Marketing Board
Minnesota Dept of Agriculture, Sustainable Ag Program
UW Cooperative Extension
WI-Dept of Ag,Trade and Consumer Protection
WI Dept of Commerce
WI Federation of Cooperatives
The Country Today
USDA Rural Business/Cooperative Services
******************************
What Outcomes can I expect of this Conference?
******************************
Individual farm families will accomplish the following five
significant objectives:
1. PERSONALIZED ENTERPRISE "PORTFOLIO" incorporating existing and
potential business ideas--including "value-added" strategies.
2. STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN to make progress in spite of time and
financial pressures farmers feel today.
3. Family Unity among all members on the farm's direction for the next
3 to 5 years.
4. CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF ROLES each family member plays in the
business -- and which need to be filled outside the family.
5. TANGIBLE MILESTONES TO MEASURE SUCCESS of farm and rewarding all
involved based on their contributions.
Those who support farmers - educators, lenders, suppliers, attorneys,
accountants, government service agencies, and elected officials --
will accomplish the following three significant objectives:
1. WHOLE-FARM UNDERSTANDING of agriculture today, including the need
for families to plan their success.
2. SPECIFIC EVALUATION CRITERIA to review farm operations they
support, and to be able to "prescribe" products or services to aid
farmers.
3. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES to employ in their own work
environment or organization.
All attending will find the Conference unique in their experience:
* ENVIRONMENT IS ENERGIZING, with a sense of "reality-based optimism"
about agriculture.
* STRATEGIES ARE PROVEN in use over the past twenty years with over
400 businesses and organizations around the world.
* CURRICULUM IS UNIQUE AND HIGHLY-REGARDED by farmers, journalists,
government agencies and producer associations.
********************
REGISTRATION: e-mail it to eweber@wi.nrcs.usda.gov
********************
Fill out the info below and e-mail it to eweber@wi.nrcs.usda.gov
Name_________________________________
Spouse______________________________
Farm /Enterprise Name
_________________________________________________
Street ________________________________
Town _______________ State_________ Zip __________
Phone ____-______-_______
Fax____-______-_______
E-Mail_______________________________
Web Site__________________________
Areas of Interest:
Dairy __
Meats __
Fruits/Vegetables __
Grains/Oilseeds __
Specialty Crops __
Registration included lunches Tuesday and Wednesday, dinner Tuesday
night, snacks at breaks.
Make checks payable to River Country RC&D.
$75 for one person, $50 for aditional farm family member.
Meal Choice: Omnivore ___ Vegetarian____
LODGING is available at the conference site, the Holiday Inn Downtown
Eau Claire for $52 / single and $62 / double. Be sure to mention you
are registering for the "Value Added Conferene" for special rates.
Phone 800-950-6121
Send Registrations or questions to:
Ed Weber, River Country RC&D
1101 W. Clairemont Ave., Suite 1C
Eau Claire, WI 54701
phone: 715-834-9672
fax: 715-834-8663
e-mail: eweber@wi.nrcs.usda.gov
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Michele Gale-Sinex, communications manager
Center for Integrated Ag Systems
UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences
Voice: (608) 262-8018 FAX: (608) 265-3020
http://www.wisc.edu/cias
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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