Getting Started
Information Files
Designing a Viable Rural Economy -- C5-20
Adding Value -- C5-01
Using Value-added Agriculture to Create a New Rural America -- C5-03
Should You Participate in Value-added Agriculture? -- C5-04
Capturing vs. Creating Value -- C5-05
What I’ve Learned about Value-added -- C5-45
What is an Entrepreneur? -- C5-07
Peter Drucker and Innovation -- C5-10

 

Business Development Process
Information Files
Idea Assessment and Business Development Process -- C5-02
Creating a Mission Statement, Setting Goals and Developing Strategies -- C5-09
Business Development vs. Economic Development -- C5-13

 

Feasibility & Business Plans
Information Files
Considerations When Selecting a Consultant -- C5-60
When to Do and How to Use a Feasibility Study -- C5-64
What is a Feasibility Study? -- C5-65
Feasibility Study Outline -- C5-66
Writing a Business Plan -- C5-68
Create Your Own Business Plan -- C5-69

 

Contracts & Agreements
Information Files
Overview of Confidentiality Agreement -- C5-80
Sample One-Sided Confidentiality Agreement -- C5-81
Sample Mutual Confidentiality Agreement -- C5-82
Overview of Consulting Agreements -- C5-83
Sample Consulting Agreement -- C5-84
Overview of Letters of Intent -- C5-85
Sample of Letter of Intent -- C5-86
Overview of Uniform Marketing Agreements -- C5-87
Sample Uniform Marketing Agreement -- C5-88

 

Finances
Information Files
Introduction to Grant Writing -- C5-06
How to Use Grants -- C5-08
Obtaining a Business Loan -- C5-95

 

Personnel Management
Information Files
Hiring Good Employees -- C5-100
Improving Your Interviewing Skills -- C5-101
Checklist for Iowa Agricultural Employers -- C6-58
Newsletter Articles
Farm employee management: do we need an employee handbook? -- May 2012
Employee management: the job interview, and what questions can I ask? -- December 2011
Employee management: Get the right start in hiring employees -- November 2011

 

Business Organization & Structure
Information Files
Forming a Viable Project Committee and Holding Successful Meetings -- C5-110
Top Management and Key Personnel Positions in a Business -- C5-111
Location, Location, Location, Value Added Processing/Manufacturing -- C5-113
Designing Successful Business Teams -- C5-114
Solving Conflicts between Business Associates -- C5-115
Improving Business Communication Skills -- C5-116

 

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