Value-added agriculture is conference topic

Northwest Missouri producers and agribusiness representatives can learn more about value-added ventures at a seminar scheduled for March 9 at North Cross Methodist Church in Gladstone.

Missouri Department of Agriculture personnel, business professionals, university specialists and other experts will explain what it takes to add value and profit to farm commodities at the Northwest Missouri AgriExpo. The expo is one of five regional meetings designed to show producers how to write business plans, identify new markets, find funding alternatives, and form partnerships and business networks to realize greater profitability.

“This is an excellent opportunity for producers to investigate new and innovative ways to do business,” said Sarah Shultz, a business specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Ag Innovation Center, one of the conference hosts. “In addition, the seminar is geared toward providing information pertinent to northwest Missouri.”

Industry professionals and value-added educators will present the conference sessions and answer questions, and producers who have undertaken value-added ventures will detail their experiences. In addition, participants can receive confidential counseling from agriculture business counselors with the University of Missouri’s Value-Added Development Center. The center is another conference sponsor, along with USDA-Rural Development, University Outreach and Extension, a and the Missouri Business Development Network.

The cost for the expo is $20 before March 1, and $25 after that date. To register, contact Sarah Shultz toll-free at 1-866-466-8283 or by e-mail at Sarah [email protected].