Project Title:  Experiences and Views of Value-Added Farmers  Round 2 (2004)  

Project Leader (s):  Carol Roth, Brad Barham, Jeremy Foltz

Project Collaborators:  EAM Team Members

Project Category:   Outreach/Education

Situation:  Dairy farming has dominated Wisconsin agriculture for the past century.  Twenty years after it’s peak, dairy farming still accounts directly or more than one-half of the value of Wisconsin agricultural production and indirectly (e.g. grain and forage purchases, sales of beef) for approximately another 10-15%.  Nevertheless, the number of dairy farms has decreased significantly (down over two-thirds from 30 years ago).  At the same time, the number of other types of farm enterprises, including value-added agricultural activities, continues to grow.  A shift has occurred toward value-added production methods that appeal to consumers (i.e. organic products, pasture-based).  Wisconsin farmers utilize value-added marketing and production strategies for a number of reasons:  (1) to improve returns to their assets and labor; (2) to integrate more environmentally sustainable practices into their operation, and/or (3) to improve their quality of life.  Although it is evident that use of these strategies has grown rapidly around the state, no comprehensive studies of value-added agriculture in Wisconsin are currently available.  To fill that gap, the Program on Agricultural Technology Studies created a multi-enterprise database of value-added producers, and developed a comprehensive survey to measure the scope, diversity, and performance of value-added agriculture in Wisconsin.  This survey was sent to a random sample (n = 2000) Wisconsin farmers engaged in value-added enterprises in the spring of 2004.  The return rate was 46%.  Survey data was entered, cleaned, and analyzed in the summer, fall, and winter of 2004. 

Response:  The purpose of this project was to summarize the findings from the 2004 Value-Added Farm Poll and report them to multiple venues, including value-added entrepreneurs, educators, policy makers, agricultural agencies / organizations / associations.  This information is useful in creating a clearer understanding of the value-added sector in Wisconsin that will affect not only educational offerings and other programs, but policy decisions as well.

Results:  To date, information has been shared with the following audiences:

• Presentation / Handouts  to 200+ participants at the 2005 Midwest Value-Added Conference, Eau Claire
• 700+ participants at the 2005 National Small Farm Conference, Greensboro, NC (included in Conference Proceedings)
• 300 + Farmers, Agricultural Agencies/ Organizations / Legislators (Handouts at Ag Day at the Capital, March, 2005)
• Posted on PATS Website
• PATS Advisory Council (presentation and information included in meeting packet) The PATS Advisory Council includes UWEX Agents, State Agencies, UW-CALS, Farmers, Agricultural Organizations. 
• All Wisconsin Legislators
• Handouts at:  2005 World Dairy Expo, 2005 Farm Technology Days, 2005 Upper Midwest Organic Conference