3-2-04

Contacts:
Margaret Smith, Iowa State University, value-added agriculture, 515-294-0887, mrgsmith@iastate.edu
Ron Orth, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, 515-292-2667, rorth@iowainstitute.coop
Christa Hartsook, Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, 515-294-4430, hartc@iastate.edu

Niche Dairy Processing Workshop Scheduled for March 16-17 in Ames

AMES, Iowa - Producers interested in on-farm or niche dairy processing are encouraged to register for an upcoming Dairy Processing Workshop, to be held on the Iowa State University (ISU) campus, March 16-17.

"We are seeing producer interest throughout the Midwest to investigate new opportunities with small dairy processing," said Margaret Smith, ISU Extension, value-added agriculture. "We are also seeing consumer interest in buying local, high-quality products from area producers. This workshop will assist producers in their exploratory efforts to determine if a niche dairy processing business is feasible for their operation."

The first day of the workshop will cover what's happening in Iowa and look at the various dairy niche markets. Attendees will learn the importance and components of a feasibility study, business plan, marketing plan and various marketing channels for their dairy business. A tour of an on-farm processing operation and a session on equipment basics will also be included during the first day.

The second day of the workshop provides an in-depth review and training session for production of safe dairy products by Ranee May, professor at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Topics include zoonosis - disease transmittal, good manufacturing practices, antibiotic testing and requirements, sampling techniques and analytical concerns, pathogen control, inventory control and recall procedures.

Sponsors of the workshop include the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives; the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), the Value-added Agriculture Program and the Iowa Alliance for Cooperative Business Development, all programs of Iowa State University Extension.

Registration for the two-day event is $250 before March 12. Additional attendees from the same operation are $75. After March 12, registration costs are $300 per person and $125 for each additional attendee from the same operation. Lunches are provided. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 16 in the National Swine Research and Information Center on the northeast side of the ISU campus.

For more information or to register for the event, contact Madeline Schultz at Iowa State University Extension at (515) 294-0588 or mschultz@iastate.edu.

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