| |
 |
Our Programs |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sustainable Economy Initiative |
| |
Home > Our
Programs > Sustainable
Economy Initiative > Research > Best Practices
Summary |
|
|
|
Best
Practices Summary:
Agriculture Trade Associations
Use the links below to jump to a summary of the example Best
Practice that you want to read. Additional information
about each example is available in the Best Practices Summary
Table
Back to SEI
Research Index...
Back to top
Idaho Potato Commission www.idahopotatoes.com/-82-
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that supports the very important Idaho product: potatoes. The Commission covers many areas crucial to the potato industry, including promotion, research and marketing. It is funded by a tax levied on Idaho-grown potatoes. It is a resource for consumers as well as the industry, providing nutritional information, answers to questions, recipe contests and more. It serves as a directory, linking growers to processors and distributors. Certification marks, which can only be associated with potatoes grown in Idaho is an aspect of the Commission's role.
Back to top
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) www.pma.com
PMA provides leadership in the areas of promotion, policy, news and much more.
Leadership: PMA is the leading global trade association serving the entire produce and floral supply chains.
Knowledge: PMA is a source for late breaking news, information on industry trends, consumer and industry research, education, networking opportunities, industry standards and technologies.
Back to top
Maine Potato Board www.mainepotatoes.com
The Board oversees one of the leading products of the state, the potato industry.
The nine members of the Board represent the people of the field, five of whom
are potato growers, two are packer/shippers, and two represent processors. Like
the Idaho Commission it educates, promotes, links growers to services, consumers
to products, and sets standards for an important state agricultural product.
Knowledge: The Board is a resource for news, latest developments, studies and more.
Back to top
NH Plant Growers Association www.nhpga.org
The NH Plant Growers Association is an important resource for a large part of NH's agricultural products: plants. It promotes growers, provides information on latest trends, links growers to services, awards grants and supplies information and programs.
Back to top
Maine Wild Blueberry Association www.wildblueberries.com
Maine Wild Blueberries and its associated companies include U. S. and Canadian blueberry farms. The Maine Wild Blueberry companies are the major processors and primary sources of frozen and processed wild blueberries, which are one of only three native berries of North America. By combining forces the companies have many resources available and opportunities for innovation, growth and knowledge development. There are the state-of-the-art facilities and new processing techniques at some of the facilities.
Leadership: Together the companies are the leading U.S. growers, packers and marketers of blueberries. Their facilities are innovative, remarkable for quality and flexibility. They include kosher facilities. The Prince Edward Island facility has rated Superior every year since 2007.
Innovation: Maine Wild Blueberries supports other agricultural producers, notably the beekeepers. The growers import billons of bees every year for beekeepers.
Back to top
Landcare, Australia www.landcareonline.com
Australian Landcare partners with the Government, the community, businesses and sustainable agricultural groups in order to promote and protect farmland and farming. It is interesting as an example of this need in a nation on the other side of the globe. It is also interesting as a Best Practice because of its level of partnering, from the national to the private.
Back to top
Adirondack Harvest www.adirondackharvest.com
Adirondack Harvest is a community based cooperative selling fresh Adirondack products. It was founded out of concern for the disappearing farms and farmlands in the Adirondacks. Members joined together to support each other in means of profitable farming. As a coop ADK Harvest serves consumers by making fresh local products available. It serves the region by promoting and supporting its unique and historical qualities and preserves the beauty of farmlands and the farmers occupations. Adirondack Harvest serves as an example of a Best Practice on these many levels.
Back to top
Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT (NOFA) www.nofavt.org
While there are branches of NOFA throughout New England and a central organization, the Vermont chapter of the Northeast Farmers Association is the oldest organic association in the US. It is an important resource for organic farmers. There are many projects under its auspices such as educational programs including workshops, conferences and apprenticeships. There are financial resources, social services and promotional programs. NOFA plays an important role in standards by the certification of organic produce.
Leadership: NOFA/VT was and is a leader in organic farming, which is an important movement for farmers and consumers as evidenced in the growth of and demand for organic product.
Investment: The Association provides financial support through programs such as the Greenmountain Revolving Loan Fund. This Fund awards low interest loans to organic and transition farmers.
Knowledge: NOFA/VT provides many educational programs for all ages, including agricultural education in the curriculum of elementary public school classrooms.
Back to top
Pioneer Valley Growers Assoc. www.pvga.net
Pioneer Valley Association cannot be ignored because of its sheer size in members and sales. It represents the joining forces of the farmers in the Pioneer Valley region to better produce and market their crops. Together the farmers have the availability of a network for billing, two include two coolers and an eleven-bay loading dock. Consumers are provided more readily with fresh produce.
Innovation: The infrastructure includes two coolers and an eleven bay-loading dock.
Back to top
Peak District Foods http://www.peakdistrictfoods.co.uk/
Peak District Foods is a group of local food producers and food businesses joined to promote their products from the Peak District Park region. They promote not only local products, support each member through group distribution and support the area. The members' products can be purchased through the web site. The site links consumers to markets, news and even places to stay. Local Butchers are promoted. It is an example of strength in numbers, but also quality of products, not simply quantity.
|
| |
| |
|
|