USDA Outreach ConferenceMarch 14, 2011

USDA Programs have impacted our Community

The Highland Center

Catalyst for Community and Economic Development

We’re all about creating bringing people together and making projects happen!

USDA involvement since 1998

Projects USDA has supported

1998 – 1st Program – Farmers’ MarketRBEG

Commercial (shared-use) KitchenRBEG

Lamb & Wool Feasibility Study 2003 Value-Added Producer Grant

Shiny New Roof Community Facilities grant

Incredible Pavilion for Farmers’ MarketRBEG

Day of our Pavilion Dedication – July 2007

Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center

Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center - Supporting our farming communities

Project History

Genesis of project was a USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Feasibility Study by Mad Maggie Farm - 2004

Highland-Bath Cattle Association Highland County Sheep and Wool Producers Association

• Steering Committee formed consisting of representatives from The Highland Center, Virginia Cooperative Extension (Highland-Bath), and local agricultural producer organizations

February 2006 Producer Meeting - Food and Livestock Planning, Inc. Presentation

Expanding Opportunities for our Farming Communities

USDA Inspected Slaughter and Processing Custom cuts for sale directly to consumers For home consumption

Value Added Capabilities•Custom slaughter & hang time•Boning•Portion Cuts•Grinding•Further Processing

– Jerky– Sausage– Smoking

Expanding Opportunities for our Farming Communities (cont’d)

Processing of Deer for Hunters

Assistance with Live Animal Marketing

Space for Agricultural Community Meetings and Training

Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center business philosophy: Provide dependable local service to farmers and helping connect them to consumers

Alleghany Highlands Agricultural CenterRural Economic Development Loan Fund

Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center - Supporting our farming communities

Construct Building

• ACS Design hired to develop site plan/Architectural Design Services to design facility

• $40,000 grant from Virginia Foundation for Agricultural Innovation & Rural Sustainability (FAIRS) to assist engineering/design and legal costs

FOR OUR REGIONFormed LLC

•$1 million private placement investment drive•200 shares•93 investors from 6 different states

Economic Impact for our Community • $1.5 million project investment serving 2 states – Virginia & West Virginia

4 counties – Bath, Highland, Pendleton and Pocahontas

• Ag Center project will create 4-5 jobs paying livable wages

•Creates new marketing opportunities for our agricultural producer!