2009 National Value Added Ag Conference

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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » 2009 National Value Added Ag Conference

The 11th Annual National Value Added Agriculture Conference was held in Moline, Illinois, June 2-4. Presentations from the conference are below.

General Session Speakers

How Value-added Agriculture Producers in 20 U.S. States Find, Intake and Validate Knowledge Inputs
- Mary Holz-Clause, Associate Vice President for Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University Extension
Value Added Producer Grant Program
- LeAnn Oliver, USDA Rural Development

Breakout Session Speakers

Value Added Business Development
- Most Common Errors Made on Financial Feasibility Studies
  - Herb Schweitzer, Schweitzer Energy, Rice Lake, Wisconsin
- Local High Value Agriculture: Management Challenges and Experiences
  - Steve DeBruin, CEO, Source Verified Foods, Inc.
- The Realities of Financing Rural Development Projects
  - Dave Sengpiel, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation & Reg Clause, Iowa State University Extension
- Evaluating the Economic Impact of Livestock Projects
  - Mike Miessen, Vice President, Iowa Area Development Group
- Evaluating the Economic Impact of Renewable Fuels
  - Robin Hanna, Rural Economic, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
- Identifying the Market for Midwest Wine
  - Paul Tabor, Tabor Home Vineyard & Winery
- Determining Markets in Volatile Conditions
  - Chad Hart, Iowa State University Department of Economics
- Marketing Your Farm
  - Gary Zimmer, Midwestern Bio-Ag, Madison, Wisconsin

Local/Regional Foods
- Financial Stability by Market Diversity
  - Steve DeBruin, CEO, Source Verified Foods, Inc.
- Can Local Foods Make and Economic Impact?
  - Dave Swenson, Iowa State University Department of Economics
- Can the Local Food Systems Movement be Sustainable?
  - Tim Woods, University of Kentucky Agriculture Economics
- A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Local Foods Preparation
  - Garry Griffith, director of dining, Augustana College
- Rules and Regulations: Where Do You Start?
  - Matt Russell, State Food Policy Coordinator, Drake University Agricultural Law Center
- Equipment and Technology Needs for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Emerging for the Local Market
  - Steve Faivre, Advanced Marketing Innovation Manager (retired), John Deere
- Due Diligence with Regard to Food Safety
  - Sam Beattie, Iowa State University Extension Food Safety
- Good Answers Come From Good Questions: Management Planning Starting with Questions
  - Matt Russell, State Food Policy Coordinator, Drake University Agricultural Law Center

Agritourism
- The Agritourism Market - Drivers and Demand in a Growing Industry
  - John Pike, University of Illinois Extension
  - Marsha Laux, Iowa State University Extension
- Development of a Statewide Agritourism Association
  - Ross Ament, Agritourism & Tourism Partners of Illinois
- Liability Issues: What's Happening in Case Law & Legislatively
  - Shannon Mirus, staff attorney, National Ag Law Center
- Risk Management Issues in Agritourism
  - Ryan Albers, Farm Bureau's AgMax Insurance
- What Factors Led to the Development of Your Agritourism Enterprise? Identifying the Opportunities & Challenges
  - Malinda Geisler, Growing Family Fun, Geisler Farms, Iowa
  - Justina Boggio, Boggio's Orchard and Produce, Illinois
- Measuring the Economic Impact of Agritourism
  - Greg Thessen, Director, USDA/NASS Iowa Field Office
- Working with Other Producers to Increase the Economic Impact of Agritourism on a Region
  - Margo McInnis, Director of Sales, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

Partially Funded by USDA Rural Development
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