What is Ag Ventures
Alliance?
Ag Ventures Alliance is a development organization for value-added agricultural
business ventures.
Who formed Ag
Ventures Alliance?
It was formed by a group of farmers and agribusinesses in North Central Iowa.
Why was it formed?
Ag Ventures was formed to increase farmer's incomes by participating
in the processing of the agricultural commodities they produce.
What is Ag Ventures
attempting to do?
As farmers and agribusinesses, the members of Ag Ventures Alliance are
taking control of their economic future by participating in value-added agriculture
businesses.
How will Ag
Ventures accomplish this?
They will accomplish this by creating new value-added businesses or
helping existing value-added businesses expand.
Does Ag Ventures
want to own value-added agriculture businesses?
Ag Ventures does not plan to own or control value-added businesses.
Rather its purpose is to assist existing value-added businesses and help start
new value-added businesses. Once a new business entity is created, the relationship
with Ag Ventures becomes contractual.
How is Ag Ventures
funded?
Ag Ventures raises
money by charging a "development fee" for
the services provided to value-added businesses.
How does Ag
Ventures use its money?
In addition to covering the operating expenses of the organization, Ag Ventures
uses its money to support the development of value-added business ventures and
to reimburse members and staff for their time and expenses involved in providing
business development services
.
As a business,
does Ag Ventures expect to make money that can be shared with its members?
In general, Ag Ventures does not expect to be a profit generating business.
Proceeds generated from development fees are expected to be reinvested in 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 for Ag Ventures, 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 “founders equity” in the
new business.
What is the
Vision of Ag Ventures?
A vibrant rural economy driven by value-added agriculture.
What is the
Mission of Ag Ventures?
To create and facilitate the development of value-added agriculture business
ventures.
What are the
Core Values of Ag Ventures?
Ag Ventures supports ventures that:
Who can belong
to Ag Ventures?
Any individual, business, or organization can be a member of Ag Ventures Alliance.
What does it
cost to become a member of Ag Ventures?
To become a member you must make a one-time investment of $250. No annual fee
is anticipated at this time.
Why should I
join Ag Ventures?
If you join Ag Ventures you can:
How many members
does Ag Ventures have?
Current membership is 1,153.
Distribution.
What if I don't
want to become a member but want to support the efforts of Ag Ventures?
You can become a supporter. A supporter gives monetary or in-kind support annually
to Ag Ventures. Supporters do not have the rights of membership but are publicly
recognized for their support of Ag Ventures.
There are three levels of support:
Is Ag Ventures
accepting new members and supporters?
We welcome new members and supporters. New members can join at any time. Check
our 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.
When was Ag
Ventures started?
Ag Ventures was organized as a legal entity in August of 1998.
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 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 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.
How is business conducted?
The Board of Directors make decisions related to value-added business projects.
The officers include a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and
are elected annually by the Board of Directors. An Executive Committee made
up of the four officers and two other board members (elected by the Board of
Directors) make most of the on-going business decisions (which are communicated
to the Board of Directors). The Executive Director and other staff members
carry out the decisions of the Board and Executive Committee.
How can I contact
Ag Ventures Alliance?
Diane Dennler
Ag Ventures Alliance
2023 South Federal, Mason City, Iowa 50401
Phone: 641/494-2368, Toll free: 866/260-5775, Fax: 641/423-2642
Email: agva@netconx.net
Website: www.AgVenturesAlliance.com
| Ag Ventures Alliance Home Page |
Ag Ventures Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Provider.