Why is Value-added Agriculture Important for the future of farmers and rural America? A careful assessment shows that value-added agriculture is an important component of sustainable rural development.

The future of value-added agriculture will depend on the involvement and commitment of farmers and rural residents.  Success is not dependent on any government program.  Although the government (ie. universities, USDA, etc.) can play an important role, it is only a supplemental role.  The key driver is farmers and rural residents who want to shoulder the responsibility for making it work. So, How to Become Involved in Adding Value is an important question facing them.

Market opportunities exist for the creation of viable value-added businesses.  The question facing us is whether farmers and rural residents have the skills and commitment to take advantage of good opportunities and build them into viable businesses.  The AgMRC Web site is designed to help you identify and assess these opportunities and build successful businesses.

Information to help you assess the future of value-added agriculture are presented in the box at the right.