NCGA-Sponsored Task Force Tours Value-Added Businesses Throughout
Corn Belt (4-21-04)
In its mission to create new value-added business models for corn
growers, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Future Structure
of Agriculture Task Force II (FSATF) researched and analyzed several
rural ventures in the Corn Belt last week. The task force includes
representatives from various sectors of the agriculture industry.
FSATF Chairman Mark Schwiebert, a grower from Hamler, Ohio, said
task force members toured a recently opened dairy, an egg-laying
operation, a privately owned ethanol plant, a farmer-owned ethanol
plant and other value-added operations. Schwiebert said task force
members examined the affect of these rural businesses on local economies.
“We looked at a pretty diverse group of businesses, but the
one common thread was that they all were rurally located,” Schwiebert
said. “It was very interesting to hear people in these places
talk about the pride and joy they’ve experienced by being involved
in these businesses. They’re helping to restore not only economic
vitality, but also community vitality.”
By studying businesses that have experienced varying degrees of
success, Schwiebert said the group learned about how best to lay
the groundwork for a start-up venture.
“We wanted to tour some plants that had a few problems during
the start-up phase so we could see what challenges a new ethanol
plant might face,” he said. “Our goal was to see a broad
spectrum of businesses. We wanted to tour facilities that had been
successful and some that perhaps weren’t as successful.”
The task force gained valuable insight by talking
to entrepreneurs who had been instrumental in launching successful
rural businesses. “We
tried to meet with individuals who have been key in taking these
businesses from an idea in someone’s head to a reality,” Schwiebert
said. “We talked to some people who have been through this
process and they had some great ideas.”
Schwiebert said another highlight of the trip was
a meeting with Lindquist & Vennum PLLP, a Minneapolis law firm
that specializes in representing entrepreneurial, public and privately-held
companies
in all phases of growth.
“In our discussion with the firm, we delved into common challenges
experienced by start-up businesses and looked at how new businesses
can structure themselves,” he said. “They had some very
good recommendations for NCGA and we look forward to working with
them again.”
Upon completion of the tours, the task force met at the South Dakota
Corn Growers Association headquarters in Sioux Falls. Schwiebert
said the group discussed what it had seen on the tours and began
to formulate a draft report. A sub-committee will complete the draft
before the entire task force reconvenes in mid-June. Schwiebert said
the task force will present an interim report to NCGA members at
Corn Congress in July.