A. Assess local community and business goals and objectives: evaluate locally produced raw products, and natural and human resources; and establish the potential for value-added opportunities.

1. Build on community and business strengths.
2. Increase awareness of opportunities, resources, and impediments.

1. Market Research and Evaluation

   a. market penetration
   b. market competition
   c. market distribution/selling
   d. market growth potential
   e. market fit with the community

2. Business/Community Networks and Linkages

   a. identify potential business support and linkages
   b. identify potential community support and linkages

3. Processing Efficiency

   a. selection of affordable processing technology
   b. regulatory issues and their impacts
   c. health and environmental issues and their impacts
   d. potential opportunities for sharing processing facilities

4. Input Procurement/Supply

   a. adequate quantity, quality and timing of inputs available at acceptable cost
   b. potential networks for procuring inputs

5. Labor Force Considerations

   a. availability of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce
   b. wage structure and benefits adequate to support or supplement incomes of local workers
   c. opportunity for training programs and equipment

6. Financing Availability

   a. develop and evaluate a complete feasibility study to determine capital requirements
   b. evaluate and identify potential investors and other sources of available capital

7. Entrepreneurial/Managerial Ability

   a. assess the management skills, training needs and sources of professional assistance
   b. potential for shared professional assistance

Links to Other Related Sites

• State Information

  The "official home page" for every state with many links to community specific resources and constraints, business activities, and state regulations.

  Arizona
  Colorado
  New Mexico
  Utah  

  
  

• Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of Agriculture

  Explore information on Export Programs, Trade Policy, Trade Data and Analysis, Foreign Market Research and Other Areas.

• USDA Economics and Statistics System at Mann Library, Cornell University

  This site contains nearly 300 reports and data sets from the economics agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These materials cover U.S. and international agriculture. Most data sets are in spreadsheet format and include time-series data that are updated yearly.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics

  Look here for general information on your state, the economy, wage rates, publications and research papers available.

• Global Agribusiness Information Network

  This page has links with production information and some of the constraints to growing and processing high-value and specialty crops. This page primarily has links to Cooperative Extension and other University generated materials.

• Global Agribusiness Information Network -- Market Information

  This page provides links to Global Agribusiness Information Network's market information related pages as well as to other Internet providers of agricultural market information.

• Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAF& R)

  An assessment of current and emerging international agri-food industry opportunities are provided by Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD).

• Alberta's Ag Food Alliance

  The Ag Food Alliance raises a global awareness of Alberta products and services. Members of the Ag Food Alliance gain access to up-to-date market intelligence, business leads and global contacts by participating in on-line discussion groups. The Ag Food Alliance is being implemented by Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in conjunction with InfoHarvest Inc.

• Home-Based & Micro Business Briefs
  by Mississippi State University's, School of Human Sciences Family and Consumer Education

  Business Briefs is a single subject newsletter that provides information relating to home-based and micro businesses. A Checklist For Starting & Planning A Home-Based Business is provided.

• Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism by Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona

  This site contains several publications on market analysis and opportunities for adding value to agricultural products, including ways to help promote the visitor experience for farm/rural areas.

• "Options" for Massachusetts Farmers

  Ideas and resources provided by the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. Although information is heavily oriented toward Massachusetts, this site has information on selling foods made in your kitchen, roadside marketing, highway signs, mail order selling, exporting to Mexico and marketing Christmas trees.

• Agribusiness Marketing Services of Queensland

  AMS is the specialist marketing unit of the Drought and Rural Development Group within the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. AMS focuses on market research and analysis, providing information to help both private and public sector organizations to capitalize on present and future market opportunities.

• New Uses Council

  The New Uses Council is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to expanding development and commercialization of new industrial, energy, and non-food consumer uses of renewable agricultural products. This site has information on opportunities and upcoming events that focus on new uses for many agricultural products that are usually value-added in nature.

Return to Main Value-Added Agriculture Page

This page is maintained by: arecweb@ag.arizona.edu
Questions regarding content: Russell Tronstad
Last update: 4/8/97