|
ABOUT US
MarketMaker is a collaboration between the University
Of Illinois Extension,
the Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture,
the Illinois
Department of Agriculture, and C-FAR.
The idea for MarketMaker was an outgrowth of previous C-FAR projects
exploring market opportunities for value-added meat products. The
idea is to provide a one-stop shop for strategic marketing information
for producers and food retailers alike. There is an abundance of
marketing data available via the internet and through various trade
magazines, but to a novice user it can be a bit overwhelming.
Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
Our Mission Statement:
Illinois Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs
in Agriculture is designed to provide high quality educational support and
technical assistance to farmers and others in, or dependent on, the agriculture
sector. IDEA staff believe there is an opportunity for farmers to add value
to products and increase their profitability by marketing their products
through alternative methods as opposed to the commodity marketing. In order
to accomplish this, IDEA conducts research, develops educational products
and provides services that encourage farmers to incorporate entrepreneurial
strategies, which direct their marketing efforts to meeting consumer demand.
IDEA is Designed to Provide:
Resources and Technical Assistance:
- Business Planning
- Product Development
- Market Development and Research
Publications:
Resource Directory
:
- Starting a Business
- Starting New Agricultural Ventures
- University of Illinois Resources
IDEA Can Help You:
For Agriculture Producers:
- Identify new markets for products
- Develop a business plan for value-added
enterprises
- Develop a marketable ag-related product
- Identify potential funding sources
for new ventures
- Develop networks with producers engaged in similar ventures
For Food Retailers and Agribusiness Owners:
- Identify Illinois producers who can deliver product to meet customer
expectations and needs
- Design a set of specifications to procure a quality
food product
- Access *source verified product and understand the competitive
advantage of source verified products
*source verified–knowing the origin of the product
|
