News Release

Contact: Tim McNeilly (202) 690-0498
tmcneill@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
Jim Brownlee (202) 720-2091
jim.brownlee@usda.gov

USDA AWARDS $5 MILLION MULTI-STATE GRANT ESTABLISHING AGRICULTURAL MARKETING RESOURCE CENTER

     WASHINGTON, July 10, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a $5 million multi-state grant to establish the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AMRC), a dynamic collaboration of university research and outreach specialists focused on collecting and interpreting information and creating new research to support value-added agricultural activities.

     "This state of the art resource center will facilitate the use of technology to provide research, technical assistance and delivery of agricultural products to markets throughout the world," said USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "It's an important partnership that will provide additional resources for the development and marketing of value-added ventures."

     The Center is a strategically aligned consortium of four universities: Iowa State University, Kansas State University, the University of California and Oklahoma State University. Each of these educational institutions have far reaching networks capable of directing resources, research and experience to value-added agriculture issues.

     Iowa State University Extension will provide administrative leadership to the center and lead the research and outreach teams in developing program goals and objectives. Kansas State University and the University of California will provide expertise in research/outreach and commodity specific content. Oklahoma State University will offer specialized services in food processing and proprietary data analysis.

     The center's mission will be to provide agricultural producers and value-added processors with knowledge-based resources and other assistance to better compete and grow in the global marketplace. These resources will be made available on an unprecedented scale through the use of computer and telecommunications technologies by:

• Creating an electronic, web-based library with powerful search capabilities to disseminate information and resources for agricultural producers and processors interested in increasing farm income through adding value to and marketing their products;
  
  
• Establishing a web-based forum for producers and processors, encouraging the exchange of information and the development of strategic alliances and partnerships;
  
  
• Coordinating research and outreach support systems, including training and instructional materials for producers wishing to enter into value-added activities utilizing new telecommunications and computer technology;

     The grant was authorized as part of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. The Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants program was established to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities, and products of agricultural commodities, to further refine such products to increase their value to the end user of the product.

     Funds will be administered through USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Further information on Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ircbak.htm.

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