Midwest Value Added Conference

Bringing Profit Back to the Farm

Presenter: Heather Amundson –

River Country Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.

Planning Committee Farmer UW Center for Cooperatives WI Dept of Ag, Trade and Consumer

Protection WI Technical College System Wisconsin Farmers Union UW Center for Integrated Ag. Systems River Country RC&D Council, Inc.

Conference details 5th year in the running Held 2 days Focused on farms of all sizes Emphasizes marketing strategies and business

options to improve the bottom line

Farmer Advisory Panel Diverse/randomly selected group of

individuals in the Midwest Meet in May What do we learn?

-session ideas

-promotion ideas

Main Focus Areas – Everything Marketing What are others doing Cooperatives Rules and regulations What to do to get started Farm Bill updates Unique Opportunities

General Session – Dept of Ag. Reps.

Highlights Youth Panel Humor from the Country – Jerry Apps Being a good neighbor! It’s your turn. Tradeshow

Reception Features local foods

and products Provides opportunity to

see what others are doing

Networking opportunity

Evaluations 200 Individuals Attended 45 Evaluations Returned Program overall usefulness = 4.11 out of 5 4 states represented

Comments “Excellent Speakers and Good info!” “Real Eye Opener” “I felt this was one of the best conferences I

have ever attended.” “Great topics!”

6th Annual Conference January 30-31, 2004 Incorporating suggestions from this year’s

conference Create theme days Continue to feature value added products

To get on our mailing list…

Contact me at:Heather Amundson1304 N. Hillcrest Pkwy, Suite BAltoona, WI 54720Phone: 715-834-9672Fax: 715-834-8663Email: heather.amundson@wi.usda.gov