In its simplest form, value-added agriculture is a process of increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of an agricultural product. It allows farmers to benefit by being part of a "specialized" supply chain and affords them the chance to receive a larger share of the consumers' dollar. Usually producer-driven, there is room for both small- and large-scale development within value-added agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has an ambitious vision for value-added agriculture in Wisconsin. The department is working to enhance the state's specialty foods reputation with development rooted in specialty meats, livestock and dairy; promote strong market development efforts to create branded products with a "From Wisconsin" identity; develop high-value industrial crops for neutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses, along with ethanol and fiber crop production; and establish industry-led entrepreneurial agricultural with a state partnership and a proven development framework.

The department's focus is to cultivate improvement in the economic well-being of farmers and rural communities. Diversification into alternative crops or livestock can create additional income streams for Wisconsin farms. The development of alternative crops and livestock or new agricultural enterprises creates jobs and increases the investment in rural communities.

Value Added Dairy Initiative
This initiative focuses on modernization, growth of the specialty dairy products sector and opportunities to add value to the milk supply. Funded by $2 million in federal funds, this joint state-federal project aims to retain and grow farm businesses, dairy plants and create good jobs for rural areas.

Agricultural Development and Diversification Grant Program
The ADD grant program annually provides funding to projects that have the potential to bolster agricultural profits or productivity. The program funds proposals that are likely to stimulate Wisconsin's farm economy with new production or marketing techniques, alternative crops or enterprises, new value-added products, or new market research.

Alternative Fuels
There is no shortage of renewable or alternative fuel sources. Grains like corn can be used for ethanol production, while other crops such as switchgrass and hybrid poplar, along with oil seed crops and fiber plants can provide alternative sources of energy for the state and the world. New sources of energy based on available self-renewing resources can help cut our nation's increasing reliance on foreign provided petroleum-based fuels.

Aquaculture
There are many facets to the aquaculture industry, including the production of all kinds of aquatic species - both animal and plant - for food, stocking into the wild and bait. Many farms in Wisconsin now have aquaculture as the primary or secondary farm profit enterprise. Find a wide range of resources to help fish farmers, whether you're just getting started or if you're ready to market your products.

Direct Marketing
The concept of direct marketing is simple: A farmer produces a product in the form and place the consumer wants, and the consumer buys the product. Both sides benefit as the consumer gets a high quality product and a fair price directly from the producer and supports the local economy, while the farmer receives a greater percentage of the consumers' dollars because they've performed the middleman function themselves and received the added value that comes with it.

New Uses
New uses means to identify or develop a new use for an existing agricultural product or commodity produced from renewable plant and animal sources. Today's biotechnology tools can be used to create new products for industrial uses or to improve human nutrition and new processing technologies can be used to make new value-added products. These new use products are generally environmentally benign and usually biodegradable.

Organic Agriculture
Organic farming is defined as an approach to agriculture where the goal is to create diverse, humane, environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural production systems. It is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, replenishes and maintains soil fertility, eliminates the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and avoids the use of hormones, antibiotics and other intrusive drugs in farm animals.

Something Special from Wisconsin™ Program
The Something Special from Wisconsin™ program can help your product stand out above the competition. It gives you a "Wisconsin" brand identity that consumers recognize as top quality and high value. SSfW is a trademark marketing program administered by the Division of Agricultural Development of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.