Completed Project Report


Bridging Brown County FARM Team

  • Award Amount: $13,283
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2005 Competitive Grant Program
  • Project Director:
  • Email: bethzabel@mn.rr.com
  • Organization: Bridging Brown County Food, Agriculture and Rural Marketing Team

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Project Overview

The BBC FARM Team sponsored a workshop, Growing Assets: Using Assets to Grow Businesses and Community in December 2005. Karen Lehman led a group of 18 producers and community members through exercises identifying personal, association and institutional assets. Small groups worked on possible action plans linking assets together. Great networking happened and potential business opportunities were identified.
The participants reviewed the market research for a year-around farmer’s market. This type of business is not feasible at this time due to the number of factors. However, it should not be ruled out a possible future goal.
A total of 72 producers and community members attended nine different Growing Asset II sessions. These follow-up sessions were developed with participate feedback. Topics included: financial and business planning, ag-tourism, community supported agriculture, e-commerce, market plans and Heartland Food Initiative. Materials gathered from the speakers were gathered, an order form compiled and sent to all participants. Participants can request copies or borrow larger materials.
The Triple Rivers Producers meet 2 times following the sessions to brainstorm and work out business strategies. While a cooperative business with a physical location is not advisable at this time, this group continues to be interested in marketing together. They continue to update their website and have developed a cooperative marketing brochure. They continue to be supported by the BBC FARM Team and are planning joint marketing activities.

Number of Participants: 90

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

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