value-chain cluster introductory presentation for businesses
TRANSCRIPT
Introducing:
The Value Chain Cluster (VC2)
Initiative
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Program Goals
Deliver hands‐on technical assistance and coaching services to strengthen local food and farm businesses in four regional “value chain clusters” of West Virginia.
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Who’s who
Administering the program:
Natural Capital Investment Fund
Shepherdstown, WV
Coordinating start-up:
West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Oak Hill, WV
West Virginia Community Development Hub
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Who’s who
Steering Committee includes:
WV Small Farm Center
WV Dept. of Education – Office of Child Nutrition
WV Dept. of Education – Office of Career & Technical Instructions
Small Business Development Center (Region I)
WV Dept. of Agriculture
Collaborative for a 21st Century Appalachia
… and others
Geographic Area Served
Cluster Counties ServedDoddridge-Tyler-Ritchie-Gilmer area
Doddridge, Tyler, Ritchie, Gilmer
Greenbrier Valley area
Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, and Raleigh counties
Mid-Ohio Valley area
Calhoun, Clay, Roane, and Wirt counties
Tygart Valley area
Barbour, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur counties
17 West Virginia Counties covering about 1/3 of the state
Local leaders…
Greenbrier Valley EDC
Heart and Hand, Inc.
Tygart Valley Growers Association
Roane County WVU Extension
Doddridge County WVU Extension
Mountain State Naturals
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
What does the program offer?
Technical assistance valued at $3,000 to $5,000 per business or group
Larger amounts for feasibility studies
Use competitive bid process to select consultants
Consultants paid directly by program
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
What kind of help can I get?
If you live in the 17 counties,
and are a producer, processor, aggregator 0r distributor of local food, you could
apply for:
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
What kind of help can I get?
Business planning assistance
Legal assistance (e.g contracts, incorporation)
Technology to access markets
Marketing assistance
Affordable loans through Natural Capital Investment Fund
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Examples
Assistance with HACCP Plans
Assistance with Recipe Formulation
Assistance with Facility Design & Compliance with State & Federal Regulations & 3rd Party Audits
Website Development & Label Design
Transition to Organic Certification
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Examples
Energy Audits
Assistance with REAP Cost Share Grant Applications and Other Programs.
Set-up of Accounting Systems
Market Assessment and Planning
Feasibility study for a new slaughterhouse
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Organizations that serve several businesses, such as co-ops or farmers
markets, can apply too.
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
Examples
Needs assessment and feasibility study to expand meat processing in a region
Design for regional local food branding campaign
Trainings and support for farmer groups to aggregate and sell to volume buyers
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution
So, how do I apply?
Contact:
Marten Jenkins, Natural Capital Investment Fund
304.870.2207
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution