What is Value Added Ag?
       Mission & Vision
       Goals
       Business Services
       Education
       Ag Teams
      2007 Ag Expo    (.jpg)

Are you thinking about developing new Ag industry in O'Brien County or expanding your current operation?

…THE O’BRIEN COUNTY VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CAN HELP

The Value-Added group was formed in 1998 when the O’Brien County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) identified the need for a coordinated effort to promote value-added agriculture. The VAA Steering Committee meets on a monthly basis and oversees the activities of its subcommittees. Areas addressed by the VAA committees include grain, dairy, poultry education and financial.

What is Value-added Agriculture?

Value-Added agriculture includes any activity that takes an agricultural product and adds value to it, before it leaves the area in which it was produced. For more information about value-added agriculture in Iowa visit www.treasurer.state.ia.us/investments/lift/value.cfm

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O'Brien County is a great place for livestock

The O’Brien County Value-Added Agriculture Committee seeks to enhance the quality of life in O' Brien County by adding value to our agricultural resources.

Vision Statement

The O’Brien County Value-Added Agriculture Committee (OCVAAC) is a diverse group of producers, community and agri-business leaders that will search out and assist with the establishment of Value-Added Agriculture to create economic opportunities for residents and to develop marketable products using ag resources in a manner consistent with our quality of life statement.

Photo by KLM

 Creation of jobs
 Improve/maintain quality of life
 Find projects consistent with mission
 Environmental responsibility
 Increase profits for producers
 Promote communication and cooperation among
   producers and processors
 Enhance heritage/way of life
 Economic development of agricultural products
   (critical mass)
 Bring into reality efficiency in terms of people,
   products and environment
 Educate citizens and producers about the benefits
   and possibilities of
 Value-added agriculture

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OCVAAC will provide assistance for the establishment or expansion of businesses adding value to agricultural products. The appropriate initiative team will work with business owners or operators and entrepreneurs to determine the likelihood of success for their project in O’Brien County, the steps that are necessary to make it happen, and other agencies and individuals who can assist in the process.

If OCVAAC believes the business is a good fit for O’Brien County, the Financial Initiative Team will work with the business to identify likely sources of funding. OCVAAC will provide appropriate letters of support for grant and loan applications and will provide guidance in putting these applications together.

OCVAAC is helping get the word our about the "value" in value-added agriculture. In an effort to inform young people about the many career opportunities available to them through value-added agriculture, the O’Brien County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) has earmarked $1000 to be used by OCVAAC to offer scholarships to educators and students to attend value-added agricultural conferences and tours. Eligible applicants include FFA instructors, guidance counselors, 4H leaders and students in O’Brien County. Applications may be obtained from the OCEDC office.

Value-Added Agriculture Teams
Steering Committee:

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Photo by KLM