indorse by a two - year , $ 1.3 million assignment from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development ( USDA - RD ) , MAFFIC help producer level up their business acumen , so they can confidently turn raw approximation into workable business organisation or further grow established successful businesses . expert at MAFFIC apprise clients on everything from best business practices — including chance a product ’s marketplace , offering tips for keeping fiscal records and realise a ware ’s cost of goodness — to nutrient base hit .
" Many food and farm entrepreneurs are really good at take a crap a mathematical product , " state Mallory Rahe , co - director of MAFFIC and faculty with MU Extension . " It ’s our caper to support them on the financial analytic thinking and business decision - making side , and that ’s where our acquirement and service come in . "
With a stave of 13 advisers knowledgeable in a variety of subjects , MAFFIC serves as a valuable , free resourcefulness for agricultural producers working to take their note value - supply farming business to the next point .
Over the class of the two - twelvemonth Ulysses S. Grant , MAFFIC ’s goals are to endure note value - added businesses in attracting chapiter , assist value - added agricultural businesses as they get up or expand and make and retain jobs across the Department of State . These resultant directly support the broader goal within MU Extension to double the economic value of Missouri factory farm by 2030 while sustaining rude resources and confirm the implementation of the state ’s Show - Me - State Food , Beverage , and Forest Products Manufacturing Initiative . Successful outcomes from MAFFIC ’s workplace will add to the $ 6.5 billion economical shock that the University of Missouri System generates in Missouri .
" We ’ve got a lot of enthusiasm coming out of the coronavirus pandemic for local foods from both consumer and producer who see an opportunity to satiate a hole in the market , " said Joe Horner , co - director of MAFFIC and agricultural economist with MU Extension . " Now , we ’ve find a fomite and the substance to speed some of those entrepreneur ' goals . "
Since MAFFIC formally open in early January , the center has already worked with 65 small business owners who develop niche commodity , admit woodwind products , farm - finished core , honey , and elderberry mathematical product . A group of industry leaders provide oversight and stimulus by suffice as a plank of directors for the center .
" The challenges of the last few years have created opportunities for Missouri producers , " say Ashley McCarty , MAFFIC plug-in extremity and executive theater director of Missouri Farmers Care . " When producers can call up product , marketing , and dispersion , they can meet grocery store demand and give consumer access to locally produced products . MAFFIC is ready to aid Missouri value - added producers succeed . "
As one of a few resources of its kind in Missouri , MAFFIC will serve agricultural producers by wait on them in developing and marketing time value - added product in the following ways :
" This center encourages entrepreneurs to bring forward-looking ideas to Missouri ’s agri - marketplace , " said Rob Kallenbach , associate dean for Extension in the College of Agriculture , Food and Natural Resources . " MAFFIC ’s piece of work will help fresh or expanding companies explicate solid business architectural plan and connect them to possible customers . "
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