Agribusiness Assistance
If you are considering starting your own agribusiness or are the current owner of a food retailer, farm, or other food-related business, the SBDCs can help your business grow and succeed.
The SBDCs offer one-on-one consulting specific to organic, natural and specialty food issues, and assist agribusiness entrepreneurs to access industry research.
Educational programs, presentations, and speakers geared toward agribusiness and specialty food markets, including ServSafe training for food handlers are offered throughout the SBDC's 18-center network.
Through partnerships with the USDA, agricultural extension agents, research entities, product testing labs, and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) the SBDCs can easily address the needs of companies who wish to take their food product to market.
Agribusiness Assistance Lead Center
The University of Scranton SBDC serves as the lead center for agribusiness assistance. The SBDC's Agribusiness and Food Specialty Center offers standard business services to agribusinesses along with specialized assistance for entrepreneurs looking to commercialize new food products.
A consultant at The University of Scranton SBDC can help you to commercialize your product by following your progress along six phases, from idea development to product commercialization:
- Idea Development: analyze product need, profitability, market. Assist with referrals for prototype development.
- Taste Panel and Consumer Sampling: evaluate product color, texture, flavor; linkage to outside consultants, PennTAP and other expertise.
- Shelf-Life: contract with independent consultants/labs for shelf-life testing.
- Packaging/Labeling: research packaging models and proper ingredient labeling.
- Production and Test Marketing: select manufacturing process; introduce product to limited target area.
- Commercialization Process: wider product distribution and manufacturing.
The Agribusiness and Food Specialty Center can be reached at the following locations in Northwestern PA:
- Scranton
The University of Scranton SBDC
800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510
Contact: Maria Montenegro or Elaine Tweedy
Tel: (570) 941-7588 or (800) 829-7232 - Wellsboro
The Pennsylvania College of Technology, Wellsboro Campus
12880 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Contact: Susan Dillon
Tel: (570) 724-7703
Helpful Links & Publications for Agribusinesses
Links
Agribusiness Industry Resources from the Penn State Business Library
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Business Services
Publications
Agribusiness Planning: Providing Direction for Agricultural Firms