An
effort is underway in Minnesota to create a new value-added cooperative called FarmConnect, the purpose of which will be to connect crop and livestock producers with buyers and end users for better market opportunities.
"As producers, we realize that we need to break out of the rut of producing undifferentiated commodities and being price takers," says Art Brandli, Warroad, MN farmer and chairman of FarmConnect. "FarmConnect is
designed to build a system that will simplify the process of locating market opportunities for farmers, while at the same time, simplify the food industry's need to identify farmers who can supply them with the products
they need."
Brandli says the strength of FarmConnect will be in its ability to bring together active, innovative producers of a diverse number of crops and livestock. Farmers from throughout the state are
organizing the effort, with the support of commodity groups, growers associations and other state agricultural groups.
"What we ultimately want to see is a win-win situation for both producers and end-users," says
Brent Sorenson, FarmConnect CEO. "FarmConnect is a producer-owned, market-driven organization that will work with buyers to find out exactly what they need, and will work with producers to provide information on
crop or livestock production to meet those needs."
Sorenson says FarmConnect will benefit end users by connecting them to significant numbers of producers capable of supplying the quantity and quality of
products desired, and benefit producers by identifying market opportunities to add value or a better price to their production.
The cost to join FarmConnect, at $500 per member, was purposely set at a very low level
to encourage the widest possible participation of producers, says Brandli. Although the membership emphasis is on Minnesota producers, the legalities of allowing producers from other states to participate are
being researched.
A series of meetings are being held across Minnesota beginning in mid February to explain FarmConnect to producers. Producers will then have a limited time to join the closed co-op.
More information on FarmConnect may be found on its website,
