Creating a viable value-added agriculture business involves finding an idea or opportunity in the marketplace and then building a viable business to take advantage of the opportunity. This requires going through a process or series of steps. Although this is not a hard and fast process, there are steps that you need to take – and you need to take them in order.

For more information on this topic, see the links listed below of articles posted on related Web sites.

Idea Assessment / Business Development Process provides a series of five steps and a process for assessing a business idea, deciding if a viable business can be developed from the idea and creating a business if it is deemed viable. After you have a general understanding of the process and the steps you need to go through, Getting from Idea to Implementation provides a more detailed listing of points to consider in the development process. Another article that provides a deeper understanding of the factors involved in the process is Developing a Business that Makes a Difference.

Preparing for Agricultural Value-added Business Initiatives: First Things First provides a framework from a different perspective for undertaking the value-added business process. Steps to Commercializing a Value-added Food Business identifies some aspects of business development for food businesses that you need to consider.

Understanding the difference between Business Development and Economic Development helps define your role as a business developer.

For more information on this topic, see the links listed below of articles posted on related Web sites.

Business Development Process

• Consideration for a Value-Added Agribusiness – University of Tennessee -- Outlines the steps in value-added business development.
• Developing a New Co-Owned Agricultural Business - North Dakota State University Extension -- Outlines steps to take in developing a co-owned agricultural business.
  
• Developing New Generation Coops - University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives -- The rise of "new generation" cooperatives in value-added agriculture has fueled the fire among farmers and farm organizations to investigate, develop and build companies owned primarily by farmers.
  
• A Guide to Value-added Cooperative Development - Dakota Cooperative Development Center -- This publication presents a rural development strategy seeking to achieve local ownership of value-added agricultural processing facilities.
  
• Identifying Your Next Big Opportunity – HBS Working Knowledge -- How do you identify a big opportunity, go after it, then execute it?

Value Chain Development Process

• Exploring the Concept of Industry Value Chains – Ropin’ the Web, Alberta Government -- Today's businesses are increasingly being exposed to the concept of industry value chains.
  
• Value Chain Guidebook – Ropin’ the Web, Alberta Government -- A value chain is an alliance of enterprises collaborating vertically to achieve a more rewarding position in the market.
  
• Value Chain Stories – Ropin’ the Web, Alberta Government -- The following are stories from the agriculture and food industry that have applied a value chain strategy or created tools for value chain development.