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Agriculture Press Release February 24, 1998 "Agventure Services" Program To Assist Prospective Florida Entrepreneurs; Seminar Ser For March 10 In Fort Pierce TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is launching a new program to help would-be entrepreneurs turn their agribusiness ideas into potential business enterprises. The AgVenture Services program provides prospective business owners with resource and reference materials that can be used to logically evaluate the prospective enterprises chances of success -- before a great deal of capital is invested. A key component of the program is the business planning kit, which provides insight into how to develop a basic business plan, estimate costs and revenues, and project the ventures potential for profitability. The AgVenture Services program stresses the processing of agricultural products, which adds value to raw commodities. The "value-added" concept means that an agribusiness processes fresh Florida farm commodities into products that have additional value to the consumer. Value-added processing can be as simple as packing pecans in tray-packs for sale at retail outlets, or manufacturing salsa or picante sauces by processing fresh Florida tomatoes, onions, peppers and other raw ingredients. Launching a value-added business enterprise requires securing financing, locating a suitable manufacturing facility, securing suppliers of raw materials, hiring and training a labor force, developing a marketing plan and distribution channels, and much more. Thats where the AgVenture Services program can assist entrepreneurs. Participants who pursue their agribusiness enterprises are provided with information about infrastructure, professional marketing assistance, competitive intelligence, market research and other services essential to successfully launching a new business. Participants are also offered leased space available within the State Farmers Market system, which operates 15 locations in areas of high agricultural production. The seminar to outline the benefits of the AgVenture Services program will be held March 10, 1998, at the St. Lucie County Administration Building, Room 101, 2300 Virginia Avenue, in Fort Pierce, beginning at 6 p.m. Representatives from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be on hand to explain the program. Business planning kits will also be available. For more information about the seminar or the AgVenture Services program, call -30- For More Information: |
