What is Ag Ventures Alliance?
Ag Ventures Alliance is a business development organization for value-added agricultural ventures.
When was Ag Ventures Alliance started?
Ag Ventures was organized as a legal entity in August of 1998.
Who formed Ag Ventures Alliance?
It was formed by a group of farmers and agriculture related individuals in northern Iowa.
Why was it formed?
It was formed to increase the incomes of farmers and other rural residents by participating in agriculture related businesses beyond the farm gate.
What is Ag Ventures Alliance attempting to do?
As farmers and agriculture related individuals, the members of Ag Ventures Alliance are taking control of their economic future by participating in value-added agriculture businesses.
How will Ag Ventures Alliance accomplish this?
They will accomplish this by creating new value-added agriculture businesses and helping existing value-added businesses expand.
What is the Vision of Ag Ventures Alliance?
A vibrant rural economy driven by value-added agriculture.
What is the Mission of Ag Ventures Alliance?
To create and facilitate the development of value-added agriculture business ventures.
What are the Core Values of Ag Ventures Alliance?
Ag Ventures supports ventures that:
Ag Ventures Alliance provides business development assistance and funding to innovative and entrepreneurial agriculturally related rural business activities. Its Rural Emerging Agribusiness Partners (REAP) program provides assistance through the following four programs.
AgVA LEND
This program provides loans for agricultural business activities located in low income rural communities in the upper Midwest. Loans are placed and serviced through local community banks.
AgVA START
This program provides technical and funding assistance to business start-up projects. Program provides funding and business development consultation for business investigation and business formation activities (feasibility studies, business plans, consultant fees, research trials, legal fees, business formation fees, etc.). The program focuses on agriculture related, value-added agriculture, renewable energy and forestry start-up businesses.
AgVA INVEST
This program provides direct equity investments in existing businesses. Program focuses on new and expanding agriculture related, value-added agricultural, renewable energy and forestry businesses.
AgVA MICRO
This program provides micro revolving loans for agricultural activities in rural Iowa. Program provides loans up to $50,000 and business technical assistance for entrepreneurial agricultural and small agribusiness ventures that are denied access to conventional financing. Program is administered and coordinated through the Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality.
How is Ag Ventures legally organized?
Ag Ventures is organized as an Iowa Section 501 Cooperative (value-added cooperative).
How large is the Ag Ventures Alliance Board of Directors?
There are usually from 15 to 20 members on the Board of Directors. Board members are elected to three-year terms at the Annual Meeting. However, the Board can elect “temporary” board members at any time during the year. These individuals can serve until the Annual Meeting when they must be elected by the membership.
As Ag Ventures Alliance expands geographically, will new members be represented on its Board of Directors?
There are no districts for Board member distribution. All Board members are elected “at large”. Any member interested in serving on the Board of Directors can be nominated and elected.
Does Ag Ventures Alliance want to own value-added agriculture businesses?
Ag Ventures does not plan to own and control the value-added businesses it helps create. However, it may have a minority ownership interest in these businesses. Its purpose is to help start new value-added agriculture businesses and assist existing value-added businesses expand. Once the business entity is created and operating, or has completed its expansion, the business relationship with Ag Ventures Alliance usually ends.
How is Ag Ventures Alliance funded?
Ag Ventures is funded through its investments in related businesses and by charging a "development fee" for the services provided to value-added businesses.
Does Ag Ventures Alliance expect to distribute profits to its members?
In general, Ag Ventures does not expect to distribute profits to its members. Proceeds generated from investments and development fees are expected to be reinvested in creating and developing new value-added business ventures. The value of being a member is the opportunity to participate in business ventures associated with Ag Ventures Alliance.
If I am involved in creating a value-added business through Ag Ventures Alliance, what do I get out of it?
New business ventures are usually structured to reward the individuals involved in creating the business by providing them “founder’s equity” in the new business.
Who can belong to Ag Ventures Alliance?
Any individual, business, or organization can be a member of Ag Ventures Alliance.
What does it cost to become a member of Ag Ventures Alliance?
To become a member you must make a one-time investment of $250.
Why should I join Ag Ventures Alliance?
If you join Ag Ventures you can:
What is the membership of Ag Ventures Alliance?
Current membership is 1,153. Distribution.
Is Ag Ventures Alliance accepting new members?
Ag Ventures welcomes new members. New members can join at any time. Check the web site at www.AgVenturesAlliance.com. You can obtain a membership application form from our web site or by calling our office at 641-494-2368, toll free at 866-260-5775.
How can I contact Ag Ventures Alliance?
Terry Carpenter
Ag Ventures Alliance
2023 South Federal, Mason City, Iowa 50401
Phone: 641/494-2368, Toll free: 866/260-5775, Fax: 641/423-2642
Email tcarp@agventuresalliance.com
Website: www.AgVenturesAlliance.com
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Ag Ventures Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Provider.