Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
10-22-04
Contacts:
Margaret Smith, Iowa State University, value-added agriculture, (515) 294-0887,
mrgsmith@iastate.edu
Madeline Schultz, Iowa State University, value-added agriculture, (515) 294-0588,
schultz@iastate.edu
Christa Hartsook, communications specialist, AgMRC, (515) 294-4430, hartc@iastate.edu
Value-added Agriculture Tour Aimed at Beginning Farmers Scheduled for Nov. 19 and 20
AMES, Iowa - Adding value to farm commodities, raising specialty crops or livestock, or using new marketing avenues can help young farmers develop stable, profitable businesses. To illustrate examples to new farmers, Iowa State University Extension Value-added Agriculture Program is hosting a tour of central Iowa farms with special interest for beginning farmers. The tour is scheduled from 12 noon Friday, Nov. 19, through 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, and will begin and end on the Iowa State University campus.
"This tour will give participants a snapshot of various ways to add value to your farming operations," said Margaret Smith, Iowa State University Extension, value-added agriculture. "Niche crops or livestock, new marketing approaches can help to sustain or expand a family business."
Tour stops include a farmer in partnership with his parents who also grows herbs, a farmer who linked with non-relatives to gain his start in farming, a business marketing specialty pork, a farrow-to-finish hog hoop building system and a free-range egg operation combined with native prairie seeds.
"We encourage beginning producers interested in diversifying their operation or trying something different to attend this meeting and learn more about various strategies for business development," Smith said.
Registration for the workshop is $10 and includes meals and an overnight stay. For more information, contact Madeline Schultz at Iowa State at (515) 294-0588 or schultz@iastate.edu or Margaret Smith at Iowa State at (515) 294-0887 or mrgsmith@iastate.edu.
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