Value Chain Partnerships (VCP) is an Iowa-based network for food and agriculture working groups that brings together producers, businesses, and state and federal organizations.

VCP's community of working groups drives its collaborative process. Read about the working groups' recent news below.

	Save the date: View the flyer for the April 1 Marketing & Food Systems Initiative and Value Chain Partnerships Workshop. (Added 2/3/10)
	High tunnel workshop: Sponsored by the Leopold Center, the "Horticulture Crop Production in High Tunnels" workshop will teach how to add a high tunnel to expand farming operation to include fruit and vegetable production. View the event web site or the flyer [PDF]. (Added 1/20/10)
	Bilingual farming class: The "Start Your Diversified Farm" class will focus on budgeting, marketing, crop planning, and more. View the flyer [Word] for details. (Added 1/20/10)
	Livestock sale and seminar: Grassfed Exchange is holding a livestock sale and "Live Evaluation of Grassfed Getetics" seminar on February 26–27  in Yankton, South Dakota. View the event flyer [PDF]. (Posted 1/15/10)
	Livestock training series: Sign up for the Holistic Management Training Series, a course that includes financial planning, grazing planning, and working towards a "holisticgoal." View the event flyer [PDF]. (Posted 1/15/10)
	Virtual niche pork farm tours: Connect with niche pork producers and see how they manage their operations in a niche pork farm tour and discussion. View the web site or brochure [PDF]  for dates and information on how to connect. (Updated 1-11-10)
	Farmers' market workshop: The 2010 Iowa Farmers' Market Workshop will be held February 20 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave., Des Moines. Topics include food safety practices for growers and marketing advice for vendors. (Added 12/21/09)

See the "What's New" page for more news and events!
 

Who we are

Pork Niche Market Working Group
Niche pork companies/supporting groups helping smaller-scale players in the pork sector

Regional Food Systems Working Group
Practitioners/community leaders who want to increase investment in and support for local and regional food businesses in Iowa

Small Meat Processors Working Group
Small processors/state agencies/producer groups working to improve the vitality of small-scale meat processing plants in Iowa

Fruit and Vegetable Working Group
Growers/buyers/assistance providers building the production, handling and marketing capacity of this industry in Iowa

Grass-Based Livestock Working Group
Grass-based farm/food businesses and supporting outreach professionals promoting production, market opportunities and the environmental services they provide for Iowa