introducing: the value chain cluster (vc2) initiative vc2 initiative for food & farm businesses...
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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, WVCoordinating 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 Served
Doddridge-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 counties17 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
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution