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