women in ag presentation, february 2010

Resources to Prepare and Market

Your Ag Business

Elaine Cranford, Cooperative Development Specialist

Nebraska Cooperative Development Center

Marilyn Schlake, Associate Director

NebraskaEDGE & NxBizSuccess.com

NebraskaEDGE

Training Objectives:

1) Assist communities to develop and grow

small businesses.

2) Help individuals achieve their business

goals.

Complete a business plan

Gain practical business management skills, and decision-making tools.

Start, expand or sell of their business.

Access local business networks & enhanced relationships.

Enhanced personal wealth.

Women in Agriculture Conference, 2/25/2010

NxLeveL Education Foundation

• Five Curricula

• Two Supplemental

• All English/Spanish

Available Curricula


EDGE Training Participants

33%

43%

5%

11%8%

Highest Priority

Decide if business ownership was right for you

Receive assistance to make existing business formal

Help address an immediate and threatening problem

Receive assistance to grow business

Other


EDGE Training Impacts

31% 20% 14% 24% 11%

Course Impacts on the Business

Overall Business Planning Decision Making and Knowledge

Market Research & Strategies Money Management & Financing

Course Interaction & Support


NxBizSuccess is a new website for small

business owners and resource

providers.

NxBizSuccess is where: Expertise and ideas are shared with other

business owners.

Interactive tools and resources help

businesses.

Events and resources are easily accessible.


NE Cooperative Development Center

• Provide Training & Assistance to

groups who are forming or expanding a

“cooperatively owned” business

– Education and training

– Financial

– Technical Assistance


Marketing Plan

• It is a written set of strategies that position

your product in the marketplace.

• The plan helps you compete for customer

interest and dollars.

• Focus is not on your business, but on your

CUSTOMERS!

• Marketing is like planning a Party.


•Several choices available from sole

proprietor, to partnerships, to regular

corporation, etc.

• Limited Liability Company

• Cooperative

• Limited Cooperative Association

•Choice most often based on

taxation, liability protection, and ease of

use


Business Entities in Nebraska

• Multiple owners who are user members

• Variety of goods and services

• Physical facilities

• State chartered

• Members are investors

• Owned and controlled by members who

use its services


Cooperatives Are a Type of Corporation


• Most “New Generation” Cooperatives

or LLC’s are formed for marketing

purposes

• Jointly marketing production may

provide better access to markets

• Working together shares

talents, skills, and resources of several

individual owners

• Working together spreads financial risk


Cooperative Functions

Three Core Functions

• Marketing - extend control of members’

products through

processing, distribution, and sale

• Purchasing - providing affordable

supplies and goods

• Service - provide needed services



• Types of Coops

– Retail

– Worker

– Producer

– Service

– Housing Cooperatives


Women Owned & Operated Cooperative Businesses

Farmstead First Dairy


St James Market Place

Marilyn Schlake

Associate Director

NebraskaEDGE &

NxBizSuccess.com

[email protected]

402.472.4138

800.328.2851


Elaine Cranford

Business Development

Specialist

NCDC

[email protected]

402.472.1748

800.328.2851

How to reach us:

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]