News Archive
DATCP Specialty Crop Block Grant Workshops Offered
In February and March 2012, Read More
Welcome Center Point Counseling Services as a new startup business
December 1, 2011, Read More
Fifth Season Co-op featured in national Rural Cooperatives publication
January 4, 2011, Read More
Governor Doyle announces EDA funding for Food Enterprise Center
September 22, 2010, Read More
Fifth Season Cooperative is Launched
August 10, 2010, Read More
Governor Doyle signs bill to help agriculture and Farm to School programs
May 12, 2010, Read More
New magazine, Edible Madison is launched
April 15, 2010, Read More
What is the Good Food Revolution?
February 25, 2010, Read More
Local Food Community Celebration in Viroqua
February 6, 2010, Read More
Videos about Local Food work
February 6, 2010, Read More
Local food initiative receives largest BLBW grant
January 19, 2010, Read More
Secretary of Ag helps cut ribbon for Premier Meats
January 19, 2010, Read More
Workshops to develop your business website
January 26-February 23, 2010, Read More
“Post Harvest Handling” Ag Workshop offered in Viroqua
January 7, 2010, Read More
Handy Hitch is I&E club success story
November 2009, Read More
Organic Valley expands pact with Stonyfield
November 19, 2009, Read More
VEDA acquires facility to create enterprise center
July 31, 2009, Read More
Woody Tasch presents Slow Money at Kickapoo Country Fair
July 26, 2009, Read More
Attend the Contracting with Government and Prime Contractors Conference Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, 6th, Read More
Blue Grass Festivals attract music lovers
July 10-12 and August 14-15, Read More
Premier Meats business breaks ground
July 6, 2009, Read More
Doyle Announces $39 Million in Flood Relief
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, Read More
Vernon County could be leader in local farm and food economy
May 25, 2009, Read More
Local food and farm economy presentation
May 21, 6:30-8:30 pm, Read more
Nelson Agri-Center, True Value earn National Award
May 13, 2009 Read More
Soaked by flood and touched by help, couple opens new bookstore in Viroqua
Read More
Mt.Borah, a home for silent sports gear in Coon Valley.
October 3, 2008, Read More
Students attend Youth Entrepreneurship Day with speaker Ben Casnocha.
September 26, 2008, Read More
New Guide for Bird Habitat available from the Driftless Ares Initiative.
August 2008, Read More
To thrive, Wisconsin must build an entrepreneurial culture says Susan Strommer.
May 29, 2008, Read More
VEDA helps county determine economic priorities for Smart Growth.
May 01, 2008, Read More
Sue Noble, as first Executive Director of VEDA, is Creating the Environment for Economic Development.
January 2008, Read More
Sue Noble, Executive Director of Vernon Economic Development Association received one of the Wisconsin Innovation Champion Awards announced recently by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at UW-Whitewater.
December 2007, Read More
DATCP Specialty Crop Block Grant Workshops Offered
In February and March 2012
Completing a grant application can be daunting. To ease the process, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is offering workshops across the state to assist non-profit organizations, producer groups, government agencies, universities and other agricultural entities in completing the Specialty Crop Block Grant application.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds assist with research, industry improvements and consumer education that will increase the demand, supply and consumption of specialty crops. Projects should benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and not provide direct profit to a specific organization, institution or individual.
Dates and locations for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant workshops are:
● Tuesday, February 28 at 2:30-4:30 p.m., DATCP Board Room, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison
● Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mead Wildlife Visitor Center, S2148 County S, Milladore
● Thursday, March 8 at 7:00-9:00 p.m., NWTC, 2740 West Mason Street, Green Bay
At the workshops, Juli Speck, DATCP's Grant Specialist, will walk participants through each step of the grant writing process, offer suggestions for writing strong proposals, and offer feedback on project proposal ideas. To register for the workshops, contact Speck at 608-224-5134 or juli.speck@wi.gov.
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) authorized the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide Specialty Crop Block Grant funds to states for fiscal years 2008 through 2012. Specialty crops are defined in law as: fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
Applications for Specialty Crop Block Grants are due to DATCP by 4:30 p.m. on April 2, 2012. For the grant manual and application, visit http://datcp.wi.gov and search "specialty crop." You can also connect with DATCP on Twitter at twitter.com/widatcp or Facebook at facebook.com/widatcp.
Welcome Center Point Counseling Services as a new startup business
December 1, 2011
Center Point Counseling Services is the first cooperative in the nation to provide mental health services. It is a cooperative of mental health professionals who will provide services to Vernon County and surrounding communities. Sheri Hammond, General Manager of the cooperative states, “Center Point Counseling Services Cooperative is founded by licensed professionals who bring many years of experience and expertise to this exciting and innovative organization.” The organization is focused on effective counseling and compassionate care with cooperative values. Center Point Counseling Services Cooperative will treat a wide range of mental health, emotional, relationship, alcohol/drug, and behavioral disorders utilizing strength-based, solution focused therapies, integrative care, and medication management.
Center Point Counseling Services will accept numerous forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. The new counseling center located in Viroqua, Wisconsin, will be collaborating with Vernon County Department of Human Services and Vernon County Court to provide mental health and substance abuse services to the community.
Appointments can be scheduled with clinicians at this time. Center Point Counseling Services will open on December 1, 2011. Please join us for an Open House on Friday, December 9th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM to celebrate this exciting new venture serving your community. Center Point is located at 210 Airport Road, Suite 103 in Viroqua, Wisconsin. For referrals or appointments please call (608) 638-7420.
Fifth Season Co-op featured in national Rural Cooperatives publication
January 4, 2011
The Fifth Season Cooperative is a multi-stakeholder co-op formed to develop a sustainable local food system in the 7 Rivers region. It provides the missing link of coordination between producers of local food and institutional market buyers. The Wisconsin DATCP Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program funded the initial planning with a $40,000 grant to Vernon Economic Development Association. See pages 26 through 29 of the Rural Cooperatives publication.
Governor Doyle announces EDA funding for Food Enterprise Center
September 22, 2010
Governor Jim Doyle announces that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is funding a $2 million EDA grant to the City of Viroqua and the Vernon Economic Development Association in Vernon County. The funding will help turn an empty manufacturing plant into a local food hub.
“I am proud of the work we have all done together – the local government, the state and the federal government - to find solutions that will help the economy in Viroqua and the 7 Rivers Region.” Governor Doyle said. “This project will support small farmers and entrepreneurs and helps create a stronger economic future for the state.”
The project includes renovating the 100,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant into a food processing and distribution center. Available space is for local businesses either looking to start or expand a business. In addition, EDA funds will help to purchase equipment for the facility and hire a consultant to develop a marketing strategy. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce worked with the EDA to help the City of Viroqua access this grant in partnership with the Vernon Economic Development Association. Total project cost is $2,946,700. Susan Noble, Executive Director of Vernon Economic Development Association explains, “This facility is a tremendous resource to the agricultural industry in our region. It provides the aggregation, processing and distribution infrastructure to help small producers increase their market opportunities and business capacity. We’re creating jobs, increasing the tax base and engaging our own local entrepreneurs to grow the economy.”
EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster economic growth and job creation. This year marks EDA’s 45 years of public service, with its mission to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy. For additional information on how EDA investments help distressed communities and create a positive and sustainable economic future, visit www.eda.gov.
Fifth Season Cooperative is Launched
August 10, 2010
Local food producers and institutional food buyers recently received a new way of coordinating access to locally grown food. The Fifth Season Cooperative was officially launched as board members signed the articles of incorporation on August 10, 2010. This new business will connect producers of locally grown produce, meat and dairy, with institutional markets who want to buy local food for their cafeterias or restaurants. It is the result of months of planning and collaboration initiated through a Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection that was awarded to the Vernon Economic Development Association in January, 2010.
“Many small to mid-sized family farms in the region have considerable capacity to produce high-quality foods, but lack access to local markets. We’re excited that the Fifth Season Cooperative will establish the structured coordination and processing, marketing and distribution infrastructure necessary to bring local fresh and value-added food products to area consumers. It will also create more income for our local producers by responding to new markets,” notes Sue Noble, Executive Director of Vernon Economic Development Association.
The seven-member interim board, which will oversee operations until elections are held in early 2011, represents the diversity of the food and agriculture industry in the 7 Rivers Region. Its members include Terry Hoyum, co-owner and manager of Premier Meats; Mark Hutson, administrative director of nutrition services for Gundersen Lutheran; Pete Kondrup, general manger of Westby Co-op Creamery; Nicole Penick, Buy Local Coordinator for Fifth Season Cooperative; Larry Ringgenberg, director of student centers at UW-La Crosse; Marilyn Volden, food service director for Viroqua Public Schools; and Brian Wickert, owner of EZ Farming. All seven members are committed to the cooperative’s mission to produce, process and market healthy, local foods in our region by supporting the values of environmental, social and economic fairness for all.
In a 2008 study of the western Wisconsin region by the Crossroads Resource Center, renowned economist Ken Meters revealed that each year consumers in Western Wisconsin spend $208 million buying food from outside the region. This, in conjunction with the $33 million farmers lose each year producing food commodities, results in a total annual loss of $376 million of potential wealth in the area. A lack of infrastructure and structured coordination between producers, processors, and purchasers creates a barrier to selling and purchasing local food in western Wisconsin. If the region’s consumers were to purchase 25% of their food directly from farmers, it would produce $33 million of new farm income each year – enough to offset current farm production losses. The Fifth Season Cooperative fills this gap by providing the coordination and infrastructure required for local producers to process and store fresh and value-added food products and distribute them to large-scale institutions in the 7 Rivers Region.
The Cooperative will be comprised of six unique member classes: producers, producer groups, food processors, distributors, buyers, and workers of the cooperative. With six member classes, the Fifth Season Cooperative is one of the first of its kind in the United States. There are very few multi-stakeholder cooperatives in the United States and many in the business field see them as too challenging. USDA cooperative development specialist Margaret Bau, however, has a different take. “For systems that are as precious and complex as local foods, the metaphor of the invisible hand of the market has too many flaws. When rebuilding local food systems, you need to have diverse interests at the table and in an ongoing relationship of equals (as fellow members). This is an ongoing learning relationship, and what better way to foster that then to have a co-equal ownership stake.”
Businesses and institutions from across the region have already expressed a strong interest in buying and selling local meat, produce, dairy and value-added products through the cooperative. So far, the list of potential buyers includes Western Technical College, Three Rivers Waldorf School, The Root Note Restaurant, UW-La Crosse, Gundersen Lutheran, Viroqua Public Schools, Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School, and Vernon Memorial Hospital. On the producer side, Driftless Organics, EZ Farming, Harmony Valley Farm, Harvest Moon Farm, Keewaydin Organics, Noble Organics, Organic Valley, Premier Meats, and Westby Co-op Creamery have all shown interest in joining the cooperative.
For now, the Cooperative’s goal is to help increase the purchase of local food by a minimum of 3% for medium-scale institutions and 10% for large-scale institutions by the end of 2011. According to Nicole Penick, the Cooperative’s first staff member, the long-term goals are even more ambitious than that. “Our vision is to help facilitate a regional food system that provides nutritious food for the local population, economic prosperity for the region’s farms and businesses, and a healthy environment for all.”
For more information or to learn how to become a member contact Sue Noble, Executive Director of Vernon Economic Development Association at 608-637-5396 or Nicole Penick, Buy Local Coordinator at 608-637-3615.
Edible Madison premiers in June 2010
April 15, 2010
Heirloom Marketing + Media of Soldiers Grove, announces the launch of Edible Madison, a free, quarterly publication that celebrates the abundance of local foods in Southern Wisconsin. Published with the seasons, the first issue of Edible Madison will be available in late June just in time for summer. Locally owned and operated, Edible Madison is a member of Edible Communities, the Ojai, Calif.-born food publisher that has grown into a network of regional magazines representing more than 60 distinct culinary regions throughout North America.
Edible Madison will focus solely on Southern Wisconsin’s food and agri-culture through the stories of the local farmers, food producers, chefs, food educators and forward thinking organizations that are behind the region’s dynamic local food movement. The first Edible publication in Wisconsin, Edible Madison aims to educate residents and travelers about the importance of supporting local and opportunities to participate in the region’s food economy.
Edible Madison’s region includes 13 counties: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk and Vernon. In addition to stunningly delicious photography, the publication will feature regular columns including:
- Now in Season provides readers with information about foods in season and simple recipes featuring seasonal ingredients.
- In the Kitchen brings readers into the personal kitchens of noteworthy home-cooks, cookbook authors and chefs who share how great food can land on our tables.
- Readers will go behind the scenes with Back of the House, a photo essay column featuring restaurants that emphasize local, organic and seasonal ingredients.
- Edible Journey will whisk readers away on food adventures that lead to exciting culinary surprises.
“Edible Madison magazine will connect eaters with the abundance of local foods in Southern Wisconsin,” said Jamie Johnson, publisher and editor-in-chief of Edible Madison. “We are thrilled to spread the word about our region’s thriving food scene and to help make the connection that eating locally is good for our economy, environment and health.” Complimentary copies of Edible Madison will be available beginning late June at locations throughout Southern Wisconsin. Subscriptions are $28 a year and can be purchased at www.ediblemadison.com or by emailing info@ediblemadison.com
Local Food Community Celebration and Viroqua Movie Premier of “FRESH”
February 6, 2010
Join in on a winter celebration of local food and farmers on Saturday, February 6th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Greenman Music Hall, downtown Viroqua. A local, light dinner with dessert will be served at 3:00 p.m. followed by the Viroqua premier of the critically acclaimed movie FRESH. FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.
Following the 72-minute movie will be a FRESH Endeavors presentation. Come listen to local FRESH entrepreneurs and volunteers who are working on several exciting food system projects sure to change the way we as local eaters think about our food system. You will surely be inspired by all the good work taking place here in our community!
Local food initiative receives largest BLBW grant
January 19, 2010, by Gregg Hoffmann
The regional Local Food Initiative received a big boost Tuesday, January 19, when state Secretary of Agriculture Rod Nilsestuen announced Vernon Economic Development Association has received a $40,000 grant, the largest of nine given to initiatives around the state from DATCP’s Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program. Nilsestuen made the announcement while cutting the ribbon at Premier Meats, a new meat processing company between Viroqua and Westby.
The grant will impact Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Monroe and La Crosse counties. VEDA will coordinate the effort designed to increase the purchase of local food by providing a coordinator to communicate between producers and institutional markets. A multi-stakeholder cooperative also will serve as the structure for the program with memberships by producers, processors and institutions in western Wisconsin. LFI will increase capacity to access markets by establishing critical infrastructure to overcome production, processing, marketing and distribution hurdles currently faced by local food producers. Some of that infrastructure will be a food processing and distribution center to be developed and housed in the former NCR building in Viroqua, now owned by VEDA. Local producers such as Keewaydin Organics, Harvest Moon Farms, Organic Valley, Z&E Farming and Harmony Valley Farm, among others, will use the facility. VEDA is targeting the center to be ready by this May. Potential markets for food coming from the center include Western Technical College, UW-La Crosse, Vernon Memorial Hospital, Three Rivers Waldorf School, Viroqua Area Schools, Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School and other institutions, which could purchase more local food. The second year of the grant will focus on including care facilities, restaurants and grocery stores.
“No one turns out better produce, dairy, meat and other foods than our Wisconsin producers,” Nilsestuen said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “We’re here today to support local efforts to keep high quality local food in Wisconsin communities. You’re providing top quality, fresh food to families, supporting farmers and growing your own local economy and the state economy.” Nilsestuen praised VEDA and other partners in the development of the LFI. “Community, local, quality, networks are the key words,” Nilsestuen said. “You’ve done a great job of putting this together.” Eight other initiatives around the state received grants. For a story on all the recipients, go to www.wisbusiness.com.
In accepting the grant, VEDA executive director Sue Noble said, “The virtues of local food are well known, and our area has been in the forefront of the local foods movement, with all of our organic vegetable growers and the headquarters for Organic Valley. Between Premier’s opening and the Local Foods Initiative, we expect a tremendous economic ripple effect.”
For more coverage see The Country Today at
http://www.thecountrytoday.com/story-countrylife.asp?id=BME6I4HV0ML
The Vernon County Broadcaster at
http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/2010/01/20/news/02story.txt
The La Crosse Tribune at
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_5a246694-064a-11df-82f6-001cc4c002e0.html
Secretary of Ag helps cut ribbon for Premier Meats
January 19, 2010, by Gregg Hoffmann
Premier Meats opened in December, but it really became official Tuesday, when state Secretary of Agriculture Rod Nilsestuen helped cut the ribbon for the 12,000 square foot facility between Westby and Viroqua. Nilsestuen joined Premier owners Dan and Sue Jacobson and Terry Hoyum, Jim Hamilton of Brickl Brothers and VEDA executive director Sue Noble in the ceremony.
“This is a testament to what is happening in foods in Wisconsin, especially locally produced food,” Nilsestuen said. “You’ve done a good job putting these plans together in 2 ½ years in an economy that has been challenging for a lot of businesses. We’ve come almost full circle from where we were a couple generations ago. People want the quality that comes from locally produced food. You’re seeing growth in agri-tourism and food trails around the state. Wisconsin is the No. 1 state for specialty meats in the country. More than 20% of all specialty meat plants in the country are here in Wisconsin.”
Premier Meats is located midway between Viroqua and Westby near Highway 14 and Three Chimney Road. Two-thirds of the building is dedicated to the processing of meat while the other third includes a retail shop hosting many local food items. The facility offers fresh and frozen beef, pork, lamb, dairy and additional complimentary products. It has the capacity to process 150 head of beef, as well as hogs and sheep. For more information, go to www.premiermeats.biz
Workshops to develop your business website
January 26-February 23, 2010
The UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has created five, three-hour sessions that will provide practical and tactical, step-by-step processes for getting a Web site built and launched.
The series is free of charge and open to anyone who has been in business for at least 18-months and was impacted directly or indirectly by the 2008 flood. Seating is limited to 20 participants, computer skills are required and the expectation is to commit to completing a functioning Web site by the end of the series. The series is offered in collaboration with Vernon Economic Development Association and UW-Extension. To register: call the SBDC at 608.785.8783.
Where: FIREHOUSE Restaurant, Lower Level, at 804 South Main Street in Viroqua.
When: Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Beverages and snacks will be provided.
January 26 - Session 1: 10-steps to Getting Your Business Online: learn a specific 10-step process to getting your business Web site online. Everything from how to register a domain name, setting up Web hosting, sources to consider for Web site templates, how to accept payments, prices to expect, etc.
February 2 - Session 2: Using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Your Business: learn a specific 15-step process for “optimizing” the content of your Web site so that your business will rank well within Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. SEO does not require technical skills and this session will teach you specifically what steps need to be taken to increase rankings…and higher ranking means more traffic.
February 9 - Session 3: Using Google AdWords for Your Business: learn how to create your own pay-per-click advertising campaigns and how to measure results. The session consists of 10-steps that any business owner can follow in order to increase their Web site traffic.
February 16 - Session 4: Using Social Networking for Your Business: learn how to harness the power of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to develop relationships with customers and prospects, which will also result in more traffic to your Web site.
February 23 - Session 5: Using E-mail Marketing for Your Business: the final session of the series focuses on steps to build the right kind of mailing list, how to avoid sending SPAM, and how to create effective e-mail campaigns using inexpensive tools like Constant Contact.
“Post Harvest Handling” Ag Workshop offered in Viroqua
January 7, 2010
Vernon Economic Development is partnering with DATCP to host a workshop for producers, “Post Harvest Handling for Vegetable Production Quality and Success” at the VMH community rooms from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on January 7, 2010. Cost is $20 per person and includes all workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments.
Fresh fruit and vegetable growers are invited to join farmers/educators Atina Diffley and Laura Frerichs for an in-depth look at the tools, techniques, and philosophies used to pack quality produce with long shelf life. Areas covered include pre-harvest considerations; respiration and harvest; cooling, cleaning, packaging, and sorting produce; pack areas, storage, delivery and marketing. Hands-on activities will include creating post-harvest plans for various crops and trouble shooting videos of post-harvest operations.
Award-winning organic vegetable farmer Atina Diffley will lead the workshop, drawing from her extensive experience in vegetable farming and agricultural consulting, in partnership with Laura Frerichs, co-owner/operator of certified organic fresh-market vegetable farm Loon Organics, farm consultant, and regular educational presenter.
For more information and to register for the workshops or the conference, go to www.datcp.state.wi.us, look under “online services,” and click on the “Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Workshop Registration” link. Information and registration materials are also available by contacting Kenny Monroe kenneth.monroe@wi.gov, phone 608-224-5112 or call Sue Noble at 637-5396 with any questions.
Handy Hitch Invention Hooks a Lot of Interest
November, 2009 by Leah Call
Handy Hitch trailer alignment system is the invention of Hammer Home Improvement owners, Frank Hammond and Shane Kendhammer, of Viroqua, Wisconsin. Frustrated with the time and effort it took to hook up trailers without a second person as a guide, Hammond and Kendhammer found a way to turn this two-person task into something that one person could do alone. Their invention, Handy Hitch, took second place at the Inventors Showcase and Competition held at the 2009 Ideas to Profits Conference. "Handy Hitch allows you to hook up virtually any kind of trailer by yourself - the first time, every time you back up to it," notes Hammond.
The patent pending product was created nearly two years ago by Hammond and Kendhammer, who used the prototype themselves in their construction business. After numerous requests for their invention from friends, family and colleagues in the industry, they decided to patent their
invention. "We were issued a provisional patent in September 2008," states Hammond.
"We've been trying to market the product as much as we can on a small budget ever since."
Hammond and Kendhammer received valuable advice and assistance to commercialize their invention from the Vernon/Crawford Inventors and Entrepreneurs (I&E) Club, facilitated by Sue Noble, Executive Director of the Vernon Economic Development Association and partner in the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN). "The I&E Club introduced us to our patent lawyer. It also helped us with our funding," states Hammond. "Sue Noble has been very helpful in getting us in touch with other people. She put us in touch with Coulee CAP for funding and
really helped get the ball rolling."
The second place win at the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC) Inventors Competition also helped the Handy Hitch team advance their product. Shortly after, in early November, Handy Hitch debuted at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, the world's largest aftermarket auto parts show, which attracts more than 100,000 industry
leaders from more than 100 countries. The product was a hit, and Hammond expects to pick up national and international distribution as a result of contacts made at the show. "Taking second place at the WISC contest definitely jump started us for the SEMA show," notes Hammond. "All of sudden we had places we could sell our product. It was nice to get some recognition through the WISC competition."
WEN partners at the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center also advised Hammond and Kendhammer on ways to market their product, including possible federal military contracts. Handy Hitch is currently sold online and in some RV and marine stores, but Hammond and Kendhammer expect to see their invention in a number of auto stores and other retail outlets over the next year. Notes Hammond, "With the economy the way it is, it has been hard to get people to take a risk on a product that is brand new, regardless of how well it works. People now are realizing just how good of a product it is. A lot of doors are opening." The easy-to-use Handy Hitch system sells for $24.95 online at ww.handyhitchllc.com
Organic Valley expands pact with Stonyfield
November 19,2009
The CROPP Cooperative, operators of Organic Valley organic products, announced that it is expanding its partnership with Stonyfield Farms Inc. In a letter to shareholders dated November 12th, the CROPP Board of Directors and management announced the co-op will manage the organic milk supply for Stonyfield fluid milk products and invite farmers linked with Stonyfield into CROPP. The La Farge based CROPP also will license the Stonyfield fluid milk brand and oversee its sales and retail distribution.
For more than 11 years, CROPP has supplied the organic milk for other Stonyfield products, including that organization‘s well-known yogurt. Stonyfield, based in New Hampshire, will continue to build and promote its fluid milk brand via its marketing and consumer-based initiatives. HP Hood LLC, which has been managing the milk supply for Stonyfield, will continue as the primary processor of that milk.
It’s believed the additional link between CROPP and Stonyfield will help increase the availability of products for both organizations. “We expect many of these farmers will join our cooperative and that our revenue will increase significantly through this new venture,” the CROPP letter said.
VEDA acquires facility to create enterprise center
July 31, 2009
Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA) announces the acquisition of the 100,000 square foot former NCR manufacturing facility, and its fifteen acres of land at 1201 North Main Street, Viroqua. This business development association plans to establish an enterprise center to house and support a variety of businesses under one roof.
“When VEDA approached NCR earlier this year to consider a negotiation to help revitalize the region with new businesses, they responded very generously,” tells Sue Noble, Executive Director, VEDA. “Many recently displaced workers are considering starting their own businesses or are looking for employment which the new center can provide.” The facility renovation, business recruitment and fundraising will occur throughout 2009 with plans to re-open the facility by mid to late 2010.
“We have been working in partnership over the past several months with many local, regional, state and federal organizations to lay the foundation of support and funding for this project,” says Noble. “Our attention now focuses on locating and working with regional businesses, farmers, producers, processors, manufacturers and community members interested in participating in this innovative, multi-business facility.”
"I commend the efforts of Vernon Economic Development Association to expand this center," said Rep. Ron Kind. “The opportunity will facilitate business growth and job creation, ensuring the success of our communities which are critical to the economy in southwest Wisconsin." To find out more about the opportunities available at the facility for businesses development contact Sue Noble at the VEDA office.
Woody Tasch presents Slow Money at Kickapoo Country Fair
By Gregg Hoffmann, July 26, 2009
Making a fast buck is the goal of some people in our economic system. But, that doesn’t help build sustainable food systems, or communities, according to Woody Tasch, chairman of the Investors’ Circle and founder of the International Slow Money Movement. Tasch is the author of “Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: investing as if food, farms and fertility mattered.” He appeared at the Kickapoo Country Fair on Saturday and also two appearances in Madison on Sunday and Monday.
“Money that is too fast is money that has become so detached from people, place and the activities that it is financing that no experts understand it fully,” Tasch writes in his book. “Money that is too fast makes it impossible to say whether the world economy is going through a correction in the credit markets, triggered by the sub prime mortgage crisis, or whether we are teetering on the edge of something much deeper and more challenging…”
Tasch wants to slow money down by investing in sustainable things, especially local food systems. “We have to stop throwing our money up smokestacks in China,” Tasch told the Kickapoo audience. “We have to stop defining success as growing a company and then selling it to a multi-national company. That system is not about relationships. It’s about profits, often short term. It does not help a community build. We have to leave money in the system for future generations. We can’t just take profits from one place and keep putting it elsewhere.” Tasch said momentum is building for a slow money system in pockets around the world. He said the Kickapoo Valley is one of those pockets and that Organic Valley, a co-op owned by farmers and other small investors, is a model for how a sustainable food system can be built. “People are becoming more concerned about health and their food,” Tasch said. “We need to make entrepreneurs more like farmers than farmers more like entrepreneurs.”
Tasch is involved in a movement to create a Slow Money Alliance, which has a web site at www.slowmoneyalliance.org. The group‘s first large organizational gathering will be in Santa Fe on Sept. 10-11. Among twelve principles of the Alliance are: bring money back down to earth, put money back into local economies and carbon back into the soil, invest as if food, farms and fertility mattered, invest as if carrying capacity, diversity and non-violence mattered ,as if aquifers, childhood nutrition and food deserts and obesity side-by-side with hunger all mattered.
Tasch would like to see 5% or more of investment dollars go into local food systems. “Right now, 99.9% goes into the system that created the Wal Marts of the world,” he said. While admitting the movement is still small, Tasch said the growth of CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), micro-investments and co-ops such as Organic Valley demonstrate that people at the grassroots level are interested in alternative food systems and investing in their communities. “A total of 100,000 people in the U.S. are in CSAs. In Copenhagen alone, 55,000 are in one,” Tasch said. “The pendulum has been way over here for a long time, but it’s starting to swing this way.”
Contracting with Government and Prime Contractors Conference
Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, 6th
Are you a business owner looking to increase sales or find a new market niche? The third annual “Contracting with Government and Prime Contractors Conference” will be held on August 5 and 6 at Volk Field, in Camp Douglas. Because of the past success, it is being expanded to two days. Last year more than one hundred businesses attended.
There will be three sessions on August 5: a Manufacturing Workshop, a Construction Workshop and the Small Business Olympics. The workshops are intended for manufacturing and construction companies who are starting or have been working with the government and are seriously interested in learning the technical aspects of selling and working with Federal government and Federal prime contractors. Businesses must be CCR registered prior to the event. The Small Business Olympics provides opportunity and recognition to small businesses as they develop their marketing skills and talents in the Federal Government market place. Only small businesses qualify to participate with priority given to Service Disabled Veteran and Veteran Owned Businesses, Woman Owned Businesses, HUBZone Businesses and 8(a) firms. Cost is $50.
On August 6, businesses that are considering selling products or services to the government will learn directly from industry experts and the buying agencies. Businesses that are already in the government marketplace will have an opportunity to meet and network with many buyers from the region. The Small Business Olympic awards will be presented and there will be several mini-sessions and tours of Volk Field. Cost is $30.
Any business is invited to attend that wants to learn how to sell directly to federal and state government agencies or learn how to subcontract to prime contractors. Small, Minority, Native American, Woman, Service Disabled Veteran and Veteran Owned Businesses are especially encouraged to attend.
It is a great networking opportunity because buyers from government agencies and several prime contractors will be available for one-on-one discussions such as: Air National Guard, Army Materiel Command, Fastenal, Mathy Construction, Pierce Manufacturing, State of Wisconsin, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Small Business Administration, Volk Field, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and many others. Businesses will meet agency specialists, connect with government contractors and prime contractors, network with other businesses and have an opportunity to tour the military base.
Detailed information about this conference is available on Wisconsin Procurement Institute's website at http://www.wispro.org/eventdetail.asp?ID=109
Or contact Sue Noble at Vernon Economic Development, snoble@veda-wi.org or 637-5396.
Blue Grass Festivals attract music lovers
July 10-12 and August 14-15
Vernon County is fortunate to host two bluegrass music festivals during the summers.
The 7th annual Traditional Bluegrass and Gospel festival will be held at the Fairgrounds in Viroqua on Friday through Sunday, July 10-12. Sawtooth of Minnesota, Big Cedar of Wisconsin, Art Stevenson and Highwater and other groups will perform. For more information, go to www.viroquabluegrass.com.
On Friday and Saturday August 14-15, the annual Larryfest, named after local music supporter Larry Sebranek, will be held near the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. This festival annually brings in some of the top blue grass groups from around the country. Donations are made every year from the proceeds to local police, fire and other groups. For more information on Larryfest, go to www.kvama.org.
Premier Meats breaks ground
By Gregg Hoffmann, July 6, 2009
A big step was taken in a longtime dream of the principals in Premier Meats when a groundbreaking ceremony took place Monday, July 6th. Dan and Sue Jacobson and Terry Hoyum, all Viroqua area residents, will build a $1.8 million, 12,000 square foot meat processing and market just west of the intersection of Highway 14, Three Chimney Road and Barstad Road.
They were joined by government leaders and others at Monday’s ceremony. “This has been two years in the making, and I’ve actually been thinking about it for 10 years,” said Dan Jacobson at the ceremony. “I’ve dealt with a lot of beef cattle over the years, and know the final step is getting it on somebody’s plate. This facility will help do that.” The facility will include 8,000 square feel for processing and 3,950 square feel in retail space. Hoyum said the owners hope to sell local products such as wine and cheese in the retail space, as well as meat.
In a brief interview before the ceremony, Hoyum said the plant will be able to butcher and process about 100-150 steers per month and about half that total in hogs. He said there is a big demand for a larger, modern processing plant in Southwest Wisconsin. “We’re already getting calls from people in Northeast Iowa and elsewhere in this area of Wisconsin,” Hoyum said. Many of the steers and hogs will come from local farmers. Hoyum said the plant developers also would like to devote one day per week to processing organic meat.
Hoyum and the Jacobsons cited the Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA) and the UW-L Small Business Development Center for being helpful in the planning process for the plant. Jim Hamilton of Brickl Brothers is the project designer. Badgerland Financial is providing much of the financing. The Town of Viroqua and Vernon County Board also have been assisting in the planning of the plant. State Senator Dan Kapanke, State Representative Lee Nerison, representatives of Senators Kohl’s and Feingold’s offices and County Board members took part in the ceremony on Monday.
Premier expects to hire 12-20 people once the plant is ready, slated for late this summer or fall. In addition to Brickl Brothers, local contractors hired for the project include Seidel Excavating, Fortney Soil Testing, Y-TRI Plumbing & Heating, Sheldon’s Asphalt Paving, Coulee Refrigeration, Holler Plumbing and Well Drilling, La Crosse Sign and Vernon Electric. Through Vernon Electric, the plant will be a Focus on Energy facility.
Follow the building progress at www.premiermeats.biz.
Doyle Announces $39 Million in Flood Relief
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 34 communities would share $39,220,410 in federal supplemental funds under the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds will help the communities recover from damage sustained during the 2008 floods. Projects in Vernon County include:
Vernon County $4,030,000
Vernon County was subjected to flooding that exceeded an estimated 500 year flood event, resulting in damage to 16 dams. The damages ranged from relatively minor repairs to gabion structures to major repairs in the dam abutements. Two of the dams have high hazard dwellings associated with them. Vernon County is proposing to move the high hazard dwellings and make repairs to the Priority One dams.
Village of Viola $200,000
In June of 2008, the Village of Viola was subjected to flooding when heavy rains caused the Kickapoo River to crest two feet higher than previous records. The Village’s Lift Station #1 suffered damage to the pumps by sand and grit entering the sewers during the flooding. Sand and grit was also discharged to the treatment ponds and is inhibiting proper treatment.
The Village of Viola project includes:
- The inspection of manholes and collection sewers below flood elevation
- Manholes and sewers found to be deficient with be lined.
- Conversion of the existing dry pit-wet well into a duplex submersible pump station. Installation of new grit resistant pumps.
- Replacement of pump power supple, control and recording equipment
- Replacement of 250 feet of 4-inch pipe with 6-inch pipe
Much of this is deferred maintenance as the application itself states and the Village is saving its G.O. capacity for emergencies.
A full report of all 34 communities is available at:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=19&prid=4307
Vernon County could be leader in local farm and food economy
By Gregg Hoffmann
Vernon County is off to a good start in developing a local farm and food economy. In fact, it could have the potential to become a leader in what is developing into a nationwide movement. Ken Meter, economist and president of the Crossroads Resource Center, based in Minneapolis, emphasized those points in presenting “An Update on the Southwest Wisconsin Local Farm and Food Economy” Thursday, May 21, at the Vernon Memorial Hospital community conference facility. Eighty seven community members attended from across the region to hear his report and participate in the discussion.
Meter developed his report for Vernon, Crawford, Monroe and Richland counties through funding by the Valley Stewardship Network’s Food & Farm Initiative in cooperation with the Vernon Economic Development Association and the Crawford County UW Extension Office. “The discussion here has been one of the more advanced discussions I’ve had on local food anywhere in the country,” said Meter, who has done reports in 38 regions of 18 states. “With the success of CROPP in this county, and other organizations and people, you have a lot of foundation to work with.”
Meter is working with VSN in assessing how a food system that emphasizes more direct sales from local farmers to local consumers and institutions can be developed. Such a system requires a “collaborative network that integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management in order to enhance the environmental, economic and social health of a particular place.”
VSN formed its Food & Farm Initiative in 2007 to respond to local food security issues. The Initiative’s seven-member Steering Committee is putting the finishing touches on an assessment and will soon make it available to the public. Jessica Luhning, Projects Coordinator for VSN, gave a brief overview of the assessment before introducing Meter. Look for more on the VSN Initiative in the June Business Profile on the VEDA site.
Meter gave a rather sobering look at the farm and food economy in the four-county region and nation as a whole. “Most studies have been good at looking at commodities, but not looking as much as where the food is produced, and by who, and where it is eaten,” Meter said of conventional research into farm and food systems.
He said a local farm and food economy should build health, wealth, connections and capacity. The current system fails to accomplish these goals and instead often separates people from those who produce the food, and creates wealth for some and not for others, Meter emphasized. Farmers in the four-county region that was studied have been losing income for years, Meter said. They have experienced negative cash flow from 1994 to 2007.
They are not alone. Income for U.S. farmers in 2008, considered a decent year for farm incomes, was lower than it was in 1929 when adjusted for inflation. Wisconsin farmers ranked as the fourth biggest losers of income in the country. Rising costs, such as fuel, labor and other factors, have contributed to those losses, but the overall structure of the farm and food industry has flaws that have hurt farmers in the region and nation, Meter contends. Lending institutions, and to some degree the government, have encouraged farmers to get bigger, borrow more and ship their products farther. The average American lives at least 1500miles away from the sources for much of his food.
Much like the recent problems in the housing industry, a farm and food system based on “bigger always is better” cannot be sustained because of high debt and other factors, Meter said. The quality of food from such a system also cannot be guaranteed. Large farming operations also often create concerns about environmental impact and health, Meter said. So does food imported from China, Mexico, Chile and other countries.
Under the current system, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that the U.S. could soon become a net food importer, Meter said. A local farm and food economic system can change this, Meter contended. For example, consumers in Southwest Wisconsin spend $208 billion on food from outside the region. If those consumers would purchase 25% of their food directly from local farmers, it would produce $33 million of new farm income every year -- enough to offset current farm production losses. Small farmers also could benefit from a local farm and food economic system, and 58% of the farmers in the region sell less than $10,000 of goods per year. Only 11% sell more than $100,000, according to Meter’s studies. Direct sales in the region range around 0.8% of overall sales. As small as that is, it is twice the national figure, Meter said.
The VSN Initiative already has some of the building blocks in place for a local system. Five schools currently buy food from local farmers for lunch programs. There are 13 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, through which local residents pay annual fees and get weekly boxes of produce from local farmers. More than 60 farmers sell products locally in Vernon County. Meter praised the efforts in the region and added that he believes “local food may be the best path toward economic recovery.”
Local food and farm economy report
Thursday, May 21, 6:30-8:30 pm
Mark your calendars for a special presentation on our local food and farm economy on Thursday, May 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Vernon Memorial Hospital (medical office building) Community Conference Rooms. Ken Meter, Economist and President of the Crossroads Resource Center will present “An Update on the Southwest Wisconsin Local Farm and Food Economy” including highlights from a new report regarding the Southwest Wisconsin's Local Farm and Food Economy compiled for Vernon, Crawford, Monroe and Richland Counties.
Did you know that consumers in southwest Wisconsin spend $208 million buying food from outside the region every year? As local eaters, if we purchased 25% of our food directly from farmers, it would produce $33 million of new farm income every year. That’s enough to offset current farm production losses, revitalize Main Street, ensure adequate funding for our schools, keep small family farms viable...the possibilities are endless.
Ken is the creator of "Finding Food in Farm Country" studies. He examines food systems and creates reports using hard economic data to demonstrate the importance of developing local, sustainable food systems. His reports have been adopted in 38 regions in 18 states. These reports have transformed the discussion of farm and food economics, and launched a national discussion on local foods as economic development. Ken has made over 150 presentations nationally on local food systems. He has conducted state-wide analyses in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Hawaii to document economic losses suffered in America’s farm communities. He paints a picture of local food systems that can inspire people to take action to improve their own economies. Read more about Ken’s work at www.crcworks.org/econ.html
The Southwest Wisconsin Local Farm & Food Economy Report was funded by the Valley Stewardship Network’s Food and Farm Initiative in a cooperative effort with Vernon Economic Development Association and the Crawford County UW Extension office. There is no charge to attend but donations are encouraged. Local beverages and snacks will be served. We hope to see you there!
Nelson Agri-Center, True Value earn National Award
by Matt Johnson, Vernon County Broadcaster, May 13, 2009
Nelson Agri-Center of Viroqua and Nelson True Value of Prairie du Chien shared receiving a prestigious award from the National Hardware Association. The sister stores received the Home Channel News Innovative Retailer of the Year Award, which was announced in Las Vegas, Nev., recently.
Business owners Dan Kanis and Mark Brueggen accepted the award, which was bestowed upon only one retailer out of approximately 25,000 nationwide, Kanis said. “It’s our employees who really won this award,” Kanis said. “The award takes in consideration a lot of the things we do as a retailer for our customers.”
The award recipient was selected by a committee that weighed applications from all different retail chains. Each chain, such as True Value, first had to select the stores it wished to nominate for the award. “We’re very honored to be chosen for this,” Kanis said. “Home Channel News is a publication that every retailer of hardware is aware of.” Nelson Agri-Center and Nelson True Value will be recognized in an upcoming edition of Home Channel News for the award.
Soaked by flood and touched by help, couple opens new bookstore in Viroqua
By DOUG ERICKSON | Wisconsin State Journal
February 2009
VIROQUA — The floods that overwhelmed southern Wisconsin last summer deposited 9 inches of water in the nondescript warehouse in Viola where Allegra Wakest and Eddy Nix built an online-only business selling used books.
The muck destroyed more than 3,000 books, but there was a bright spot. Volunteers — most of them strangers — helped move about 60,000 books to dry land. Many of the volunteers were stunned to learn that such a vast book collection existed so close by.
“Everyone said, ‘We didn’t even know this was here. We wish you would open a bookstore,’” Wakest said.
Now she and Nix have done just that, embarking on a venture that seems at odds with the reality around them. During a recession and at a time when bookstores are closing across the country, they’ve opened Driftless Books and Music in Viroqua, a city of 4,400 in the third-poorest Wisconsin county.
Many of the volunteers who helped them during the flood came from Viroqua, about 10 miles west of Viola.
“People were really encouraging, and it created a bond that made us want to give something back to the community,” Wakest said.
Bucking a trend
Reminders of the state of the bookselling industry are never far away at Driftless Books — the shelves and ladders came from a fallen comrade, a Waldenbooks that died two years ago in La Crosse.
Last month, Milwaukee book lovers learned that the four Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops would close after 82 years, although at least one is expected to reopen under a new name. Membership in the American Booksellers Association has fallen from 4,700 independent bookstores in 1993 to 1,850 now.
“Retail became very competitive in the intervening years with the arrival of chain bookstores, Amazon and big-box retailers,” said Meg Z. Smith, the association’s chief marketing officer.
Yet 110 new independent bookstores opened and joined the ABA in 2007 and another 68 did so last year, Smith said.
“Those were numbers we hadn’t seen in a long time,” she said. “Is it a trend? I can’t say. But I think there’s more awareness now of what a local, independent business brings to a community, and I think that’s being reflected in people’s shopping habits.”
Wakest and Nix are counting on Viroqua — the seat of Vernon County — being just that kind of community.
The city boasts a Waldorf school, an educational philosophy emphasizing imagination in learning, and the county is home to Organic Valley, the nation’s largest cooperative of organic farmers. Nature lovers, artists, authors and environmentalists dot the landscape.
“Viroqua is really a mecca for alternative medicine, thinking and education,” said Susan Noble, executive director of the Vernon Economic Development Association. “There’s so much of an openness to creative thinking here.”
Low rent, overhead
Wakest and Nix say several factors work in their favor. Their bookstore is within the larger Viroqua Public Market, a historic downtown building converted into a patchwork of spaces for multiple vendors. Rent is just $300 a month. (They sold $1,000 worth of used books their first week of business.)
Their online sales largely support them and can continue to do so, they said. And while their bookstore holds only about 8,000 books, their warehouse bulges with more than 100,000. They rotate books between sites almost daily.
“We have enough inventory for, well, forever,” said Nix, 39. “We can’t stop buying books.”
That obsession exploded in 2005 when, sight unseen, they paid $2,000 on eBay for two semi-trailer trucks of books from the soon-to-be-trashed collection of a deceased dealer in Connecticut. “It was either the dumbest thing we’ve ever done or the smartest. We were really naive,” Nix said.
The two business partners turn indignant when discussing the destruction of out-of-print and rare books. Lifelong book lovers, they believe the printed page will rebound and that new technologies like the Kindle e-book reader will be passing fads.
“That’s our mission — to save every book, one at a time,” Wakest said. “There’s so much knowledge that will be lost if we dispose of these books. People say, ‘Oh, it’s all online. I’m sorry, it’s not all online.’”
Mt. Borah a home for silent sports gear in Coon Valley
by Tim Hundt, Vernon county Broadcaster, October 3, 2008
The unique terrain of Vernon County attracts people from all over the world but it also provides a recreational opportunity that has largely slipped under the radar.
Chris Jackson located his bicycle clothing company, Mt. Borah, here because he wanted to be in a small town, and also because Vernon County offers some of the best bicycling terrain in the country.
"It is phenomenal, it really is," said Jackson sitting in the office of Mt. Borah's manufacturing facility in Coon Valley. "It is some of the best road biking in the country. I tell people all the time to come to my office and take a 50-mile ride and you will probably see more Amish buggies than you will see cars. When you can go on a 50-mile ride and count the cars, I can't think of anywhere else you can do that."
The other attraction for avid bicyclists like Jackson, are the hills.
"Hills give you good measure of your fitness very quickly," said Jackson. "And they allow you to get to a level of fitness much quicker."
Jackson said he has biked in many locations throughout the country and lived in Colorado, but no other location offers the number of paved scenic roads with hills like the Driftless Region.
It was that love of cycling that got Jackson into the biking apparel business. Jackson started his company in Minneapolis and saw a niche in the clothing market that no one had filled. He knew that many cyclists did not like to wear the spandex-type biking shorts that many advanced riders wear and yet wanted that performance. He invented a biking short that was essentially a short within a short. It was a spandex biking short inside, with usual padding, but with a loose-fitting short over the top. The short was a hit and started Jackson on his way.
When Jackson decided to set up a permanent home for his company, he already had some ties to the region because he had contracted some of the sewing for his products in Portland. He has also spent time cycling in the area with friends and had always been drawn here. So, he made some inquiries about the Coon Valley Industrial Park.
"We really weren't ready for a 7,500-square-foot building, but they said we may have a building downtown that might work," said Jackson.
That building was the former Anderson Store in downtown Coon Valley and it was the home of the growing company for several years. Jackson later expanded and built in the industrial park.
"When we first moved here we had just a few desks and a couple sewing machines and it seemed huge,” he said. “I thought maybe we overbuilt. Now we are bursting at the seams."
Jackson knew he would need people to build his company.
"I think a small community is better at providing you with the support that you need," said Jackson. "And I don't think we could have found the kind of people we have anywhere else."
Jackson said he has 17 employees that were all hired locally.
Mt. Borah has expanded its line of biking apparel and has shifted its focus from the traditional biking market to specialty orders. The company has its traditional clothing made by contract manufacturers in other parts of the United States, but manufactures all of its custom apparel in Coon Valley.
"If I went out and tried to find someone to make me 5,000 or 10,000 shorts you could probably find lots of companies that can do that, but if you tried to find someone to make 12 jerseys with a specific design, you aren't going to find many companies that can do that," Jackson said.
This specialization has allowed Mt. Borah to find its niche.
"We are hoping to grow by about five times what we are within 10 years," Jackson said. "And with the way things are going it may be more than that."
Mt. Borah now manufactures custom cross-country and downhill skiing apparel, track and field uniforms and custom wrestling singlets are the drawing board as well.
About 70 percent of the company’s business comes directly from the Internet and the rest is word of mouth. One of Mt. Borah's most famous accounts came from word of mouth. One of President George W. Bush's Secret Service agents had ordered some apparel for a 4-H club and remembered the company when he was helping organize a bike ride at the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas, with Lance Armstrong. Armstrong had just won his seventh Tour de France and the agent wanted to mark the occasion for everyone, so he ordered some jerseys from Mt. Borah.
"I got a call one day from one of the people helping organize the event and he said he was on a plane with the president and they had some feedback on the design for the jerseys," Jackson said.
On Jackson's wall is a picture of the president, Lance Armstrong and the rest of the group, all wearing Mt. Borah jerseys emblazoned with "Tour de Crawford." Along with the picture is a letter personally signed by President Bush.
"That is our most famous job," said Jackson.
Jackson is not taking success for granted. He is part of a program that contributes 1 percent of profits to local causes. Last year the contribution went to help pay for a trout habitat restoration project on Coon Creek. Jackson also helped found Vernon Trails. He said this area has a bright future as a destination for bicycling.
Students Attend Youth Entrepreneurship Day
By Sue Noble, Vernon County Broadcaster, September 26, 2008
“Persistence, optimism, creativity and the willingness to seek mentors are important for young entrepreneurs”, Ben Casnocha told the one hundred fifty high school students who recently attended Youth Entrepreneurship Day in Viroqua. The event was coordinated by Sue Noble, Director of Vernon Economic Development Association and Laura Brown, Community Development Educator for Crawford County UW Extension.
Entrepreneurs should take action and not find excuses to not get started on their ideas. Casnocha stressed. "Do something, then make corrections when you see what you are doing is wrong," he said. “A lot of great companies start with a "mediocre" idea by somebody who takes "baby steps" in starting action on that idea, makes some failures and then makes adjustments,” he added. “A big problem in most companies and most lives is too much talk, too little do. So go start accumulating unique experiences. Have a business idea? Jump in. Start something!”
Ben Casnocha is a Silicon Valley–based entrepreneur, author, and college student. Currently twenty years old, he serves on the board of Comcate, an e-government technology firm he founded at the age of fourteen. He is the author of the book "My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley". He has been named by BusinessWeek as one of America's best young entrepreneurs. PoliticsOnline ranked him among the "twenty-five most influential people in the world of Internet and politics." His work has been noted on CNN, Fox News, CNBC, USA Today and ABC’s 20/20.
Casnocha said, “Our generation will need to be creative to compete. Thinking creatively is a big part of what it means to be an entrepreneur. To get ideas, go out into the market and the world, and figure out what people’s problems are. Develop a solution to a problem. You can improve your life and your business and your entrepreneurship. Feed your brain with books and ideas, your body with exercise, your soul with great relationships. Be the best that you can be!”
High School students attended from across the region including: DeSoto, Laurel, Necedah, North Crawford, Prairie du Chien, Seneca, Viroqua, Youth Initiative, and Westby. Casnocha’s presentation concluded a day where students also participated in business related workshops such as: Secrets of the Millionaires, Boost Your Creativity, How to Get the Upper Hand(shake), How to Decide if Your Business Idea is a Good One, and Powered Up: Young Women in Business. “It really was a wonderful experience for the kids. It got their minds thinking and gave them a little bit of Why can’t I do that? thinking”, noted Mitch Tollefson, a teacher from Prairie du Chien.
Sponsors for the event included: Xcel Energy, Alliant Energy, 3M–Prairie du Chien, Organic Valley, International Trade Business & Economic Development Council, Vernon Electric
Cooperative, Scenic Rivers Cooperative, Western Technical College, Southwest Technical College, Viroqua Food Cooperative, Vernon Memorial Hospital, Bramble Bookstore and
Super 8 Hotel.
Noble remarked, “Young entrepreneurs are the life blood of the future economy in our rural communities. We’re working to create a culture that encourages innovation, idea exploration and business development. Our goal is to inspire young people to believe in their own entrepreneurial potential and to help satisfy the growing interest among young people to learn about owning and operating their own business.” Brown added, “We are hoping this event will inspire longer term programming in youth entrepreneurship which may include curriculum development, support for mentorship programs, entrepreneurship clubs, or regular youth entrepreneurship events.” For more information, check out Casnocha’s blog at ben.casnocha.com or www.mystartuplife.com
Strommer: To thrive, Wisconsin must build entrepreneurial culture
Joe Vanden Plas, May 29, 2008
www.wistechnology.com
Milwaukee, Wis. - Wisconsin's risk-averse nature often is cited as a reason the state doesn't attract much venture capital, but when it comes to creating the new jobs of the new economy, states have no choice but to stimulate their entrepreneurial climates.
That's a message that University of Wisconsin-Madison alumnus Susan Strommer will bring to the state when she addresses the 2008 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference June 9 and 10 in Milwaukee.
Much of the entrepreneurial focus is on attracting seed and venture capital, but since few companies - even ones with strong business models - will actually secure venture capital, building a stronger climate for the start-up businesses that create most new jobs is part of the equation.
Strommer, president and CEO of the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds, said entrepreneurial growth starts with K-12 education. In her view, the extent to which young people are educated and encouraged to try their own ventures, which involves a more tolerant attitude toward risk-taking and failure, is one measure of a state's entrepreneurial culture.
Some of the changes Wisconsin has made to improve its investment climate can have an immediate impact because business people pay attention to changes that will benefit them, Strommer said, “but to grow entrepreneurs is a much more long-term effort.”
In this WTN Visions interview, Strommer addresses not only the entrepreneurial climate, but the business plan investors expect from entrepreneurs and the nation's declining share of seed capital in new businesses.
All about innovation
Strommer said building an entrepreneurial culture is more about promoting innovation than it is about encouraging every child to be the next Bill Gates.
For that task, different states have taken different approaches, but several involve giving tools to students that encourage them to explore and innovate. In Maine, former Governor Angus King proposed that each fifth grader be provided with a laptop computer so they can access the Internet and learn computer skills, Strommer noted. [The state of Maine currently provides laptops for all public school seventh and eighth grade students and teachers; the current governor, John Baldacci, would like to expand the program to high schools, where every teacher and administrator has a laptop but students do not.]
Strommer called Wisconsin's education system, both K-12 and higher education, “one of the best in the world” - a good starting point for building entrepreneurial programming. However, she said the Legislature must be more forward thinking about what's needed to take Wisconsin to the next level and make more capital available for entrepreneurs the educational system creates.
“I wouldn't say Wisconsin is poor compared to other states because not many states do this well at all,” she stated.
Stimulating investment
Wisconsin has taken a number of steps to improve its standing with investors. In 2004, the state enacted the Act 255 investor tax credit program, and it has stimulated angel investing to the point where Gov. Jim Doyle has proposed an expansion. Doyle has recommended that individuals receive a 100 percent capital gains exclusion of up to $10 million for long-term capital gains reinvested in qualifying Wisconsin businesses.
The state also has repealed a law that held shareholders in a corporation personally liable, if a company went under, for wages owed to employees.
Wisconsin also has established a network of 17 active angel investment groups, including one - the Phenomenelle Angels fund - designed for women-owned companies.
By focusing on its angel investors, Strommer said Wisconsin is doing “absolutely the right thing” because venture investors are targeting later-stage companies, leaving start-ups starved for capital. “Angel investors do a good job, but when they act as lone rangers and individual investors, their impact is scattered and not as strong as when they are organized into groups and then networked beyond that,” Strommer said.
According to Strommer, there is no definitive study on what a state can do to create a stronger entrepreneurial climate. However, some of the states that have had the toughest economic times have been some of the most creative in stimulating entrepreneurship, and Strommer cited Oklahoma as an example. Oklahoma faced a steep challenge following the 1980s oil bust, and like many states it decided to diversify its economy because it was too focused on one traditional industry.
That diversification involved boosting venture capital through the creation of an entrepreneurial catalyst organization, and Strommer said it was a smart move given the economic shifts that were occurring. She cited a study of the American economy that examined the 20-year period between 1981 and 2001 and found that all the net new jobs were created by companies five years old or less. Strommer takes that as proof that the more states can do to foster entrepreneurship, the better their economies will create new jobs.
“The states that are doing the best at growing their new economy are the ones that understand that the traditional industries, in most cases, are not creating new jobs,” she said.
Early-stage business case
In turn, entrepreneurs need to understand what seed investors are looking for in their companies. According to Strommer, the reason most entrepreneurs fail to secure seed capital is they become so enamored with their technology that their business plan hasn't pinpointed the market opportunity, the company's ability to offer its product or service on a sufficient scale, or whether it would produce a substantial profit margin.
As one investor put it, he wants a product that has consumers drooling over the prospect of getting their hands on it, Strommer said.
“The business plan must show, in a compelling way, that the size of the market, the price you can get for the product, and the profit margin will generate revenues that translate into an annual return of at least 50 percent,” she explained. “The investors who invest at this stage do not earn 50 percent returns from each investment, but each investment must show it has that potential because any business can get struck by lighting or have something go wrong that no one anticipated.”
Investors may have 10 brilliant entrepreneurs in their portfolios, but usually only one or two will be a homerun with a 50 percent return. Even companies with business plans that anticipate 15 or 20 percent rates of return get passed over for capital because that's not enough to make up for the complete failures.
Worrisome capital decline
Seed-stage capital is important not only from the standpoint of financing, but also because angel or seed-stage investors typically help entrepreneurs grow their company, find quality managers and employees, devise marketing plans, and even help find their first customers.
Yet the private capital markets are not providing sufficient capital for young U.S. companies, so NASVF may have to engage in advocacy to make it happen.
Just 12 years ago, almost 20 percent of venture capital went to start-up and early-stage companies, but that figure now has dipped below five percent, Strommer said. Much of it is being invested in later-stage companies or overseas, so the NASVF is reluctantly coming to the conclusion that if the federal government doesn't do something to support the development of capital for new entrepreneurs, the American economy will suffer.
Action at the federal level could include expanding the Small Business Investment program to once again include investments in younger companies, the establishment of a federal tax credit for companies that invest in early-stage companies, or providing federal funding for state programs like Wisconsin's Act 255.
“Venture capital is being attracted to developing country markets, where they have very fast economic growth, and away from more mature markets like the U.S.,” she said, “and that leaves not much capital to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs. Government action may well be needed.”
VEDA helps county determine economic priorities for Smart Growth
by Tim Hundt, Vernon County Broadcaster, May 01, 2008
A group of political and business leaders gathered in Westby at the Vernon Electric Cooperative last week for a two-hour session aimed at hammering out Vernon County's priorities for economic development.
The meeting was a joint effort between the Vernon County Comprehensive Planning Committee and the Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA).
Comprehensive planning committee chairperson Lynn Chakoian asked VEDA executive director Sue Noble to handle the economic development element of the comprehensive plan. There are nine elements in the plan that will eventually need county and state approval. Noble said she decided to hold the meeting to get input on what should be in the plan from leaders across the county.
The 34 participants included town officials, attorneys, business people, educators, county board members, utility executives, bankers, farmers, hospital administrators and economic development officials.
The meeting started with an introduction by Congressional aid Mark Seitz with U.S. Representative Ron Kind's office (D-La Crosse). Seitz said rural areas need to adapt to the global economy that now has small towns competing with other parts of the world instead of the town next door.
"In the old economy, Viroqua competed with Westby," said Seitz. "Viroqua is now competing with Vienna. We can't afford to work at cross purposes, we have to create a unified economic plan."
Noble guided the group through a step-by-step process aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the area of economic development. Noble first gave the group the results of an online survey she had asked the group to complete prior to attending. The survey was designed to help the group identify perceived strengths and weaknesses.
Noble took comments from the survey and grouped them into major categories to find themes. Noble said by far the biggest item that stood out as a strength was the area's natural resources. Other strengths identified were the area's people and the diversity of the people, agriculture, an entrepreneurial spirit and utility infrastructure.
Weaknesses included a lack of planning and central leadership to carry out a plan, conservative attitudes and perceptions, lack of zoning and land uses planning.
The survey identified a number of opportunities including development of silent sports, marketing the region as a destination while protecting natural resources and
capitalizing on the areas diversity.
Noble and Chakoian will be compiling the results of the work and incorporate the results into a written plan that they can then use to gather more input from the others as the planning process proceeds. The county comprehensive planning committee meets monthly and is tasked with completing a comprehensive “Smart Growth” plan by 2010.
Noble keeps VEDA focused on progress
by Tim Hundt,
Vernon County Broadcaster, January 2008
Noble has a long history of involvement with economic development projects and is the first-ever executive director of the Vernon Economic Development Association (VEDA).
"My philosophy is to grow communities from within," said Noble. "Creating the environment for economic development to occur -- that is pretty progressive. And it's contrary to the old traditional model of getting on the phone and recruiting the next General Motors. That doesn't work."
Noble said her work in Juneau County prior to coming to Vernon County proved the viability of that philosophy.
"Our work there was recognized as one of the top three economic development approaches in the state," said Noble. "I went there believing that, I worked there confirming that and I still believe we have to grow our communities from within. I have the belief that if we are going to sustain our communities we have to be involved in them. We have to make a difference. We can't just sit back, because if we don't do it, who will?"
Noble said it was that idea that led her into economic development in the first place. Noble began volunteering for various boards and groups in Platteville.
"I was probably lucky because I was an at-home mom and had the time to volunteer," said Noble. "I probably chaired every committee there was in the school district just to be involved with my kids."
From there Noble began to do volunteer coaching and that led to development of recreation programs to make her community better.
Noble then got involved in a community assessment project that was trying to find better ways to serve families and kids. It lasted two years.
"That was really the beginning economic development work," said Noble. "I led 60 people over two years on three committees to find ways to serve children and families."
Noble wrote a federal grant to co-locate services for families and got a $600,000 grant to implement the program. Noble used the experience to further refine her economic development philosophy. From there Noble decided to branch out since her kids were grown and gone.
"I had done everything I had wanted to do," said Noble.
Noble then connected with Terry Whipple of the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation. She aided Whipple. Helped create her own position, and brought in $1.2 million in grant money in her first year.
She also helped develop a family services program for a manufacturer.
"If you take care of families and their needs, they are going to be better employees," said Noble. "So, we put that all together in a big building and 'voilà.'"
From there Noble went to the Small Business Development office in La Crosse, but when she saw an opportunity to do in Vernon County what had been done in Juneau County, she jumped at the chance. Noble said she sees eye-to-eye with the leadership of VEDA that entrepreneurship is the way to create economic growth.
"People like Al Hanson and Jim Hohlfelder founded VEDA based on their belief that entrepreneurship is the best way to create economic development in rural areas," said Noble. "But you have to grow from within and you have to support the creativeness you have and bring resources to those people to start a small business or expand the business you have. We have a lot of creative people."
Noble brought the "Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club" model with her from Juneau County as a way to capitalize on those creative people and ideas. Noble said the people who start businesses or expand them are the ones that strengthen the community the most. Vernon and Crawford county share the club.
"I firmly believe those are the people that join Rotary, join the Jaycees, join the fire department," said Noble. "They are going to grow communities. They are going to give back they are here. Their employees are here and they are here and they are going to support the community."
Noble said the key to creating the extended family is provide services for families and create the environment in which businesses can thrive.
"You don't bring development in, you create the environment and support them," said Noble. "You walk them through the maze of resources and then help them be what they want to be. Help to realize their visions and what they are best at."
Noble said the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club is one of the best tools to foster that growth. Noble pointed to the club in Juneau County, which helped two engineers who lost their jobs when a big company closed. The two created a company that makes campers.
"They have a two-year backlog and they do no marketing," said Noble. "They started a small business because that lost their jobs and are successful because they have a great product."
Noble was so impressed with the club model she worked with the newly-formed state bureau of entrepreneurship to develop clubs across the state. Noble helped coordinate a grant program to give $1,000 to any county that wanted to start a club and there are now 55 counties with clubs of their own.
Noble said she is also focused on supporting businesses that have been here and have had success or want to grow. Noble said she will continue to do business visits to foster those relationships.
Noble said she has assisted some of those existing businesses get grants for training and provided them with ways of growing. Noble said she has also been helping individuals with businesses with ideas get started in creating new businesses some which will be off the ground in the near future.
"I could fill up a page of businesses, but I can't talk about many of them," said Noble.
Noble said she is using her contacts with regional and state organizations to bring resources to the county.
"There are tons of resources out there," said Noble.
Noble said working with the county tourism organizations is another big piece of economic development and is writing a grant to get funding for a tourism summit in the spring.
Noble said she will be working with a number of local and regional organizations to promote and strengthen Vernon County's assets including the Valley Stewardship Network, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, Local Fare, Food and Farm, Rural Leadership and the Western Wisconsin Women's Entrepreneurial Forum.
Noble said the county and region have a unique mix of people, places, attractions and education that makes it attractive to people who want to visit and live here and it appears that VEDA has found the right person to make the most of it.
Sue Noble receives Wisconsin Innovation Champion Award
Vernon County Broadcaster, December 2007
Sue Noble, Executive Director of Vernon Economic Development Association received one of the Wisconsin Innovation Champion Awards announced recently by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at UW-Whitewater. The awards were presented during the 2007 "Ideas to Profits: Facilitating Innovation" conference, held in Whitewater.
The Innovation Champion awards are given to individuals leading new initiatives in the public or non-profit sectors that have made significant contributions to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. "Entrepreneurs are critical engines for economic growth. These champions have created opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs in the state to move their ideas forward," according to Bud Gayhart, director of the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at UW-Whitewater.
Noble was recognized for leadership in creating Inventors and Entrepreneurs (I&E) clubs through out Wisconsin. She helped start I&E clubs in fifty-five counties of the state by facilitating a grant program through the Department of Commerce that provided funding to initiate the clubs. Locally she is partnering with Laura Brown, UW-Extension agent in Crawford County to co-facilitate a regional I&E club that meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Community Center in Gays Mills. Noble says, “The most rewarding part is helping people take their ideas to the next level, whether it’s a new invention, starting or expanding a business, or getting connected with the right resources to help them be successful. Networking with other creative people is really where the magic begins.”
Other 2007 award winners include: Jill Welytok, founder of Absolute Technology Law Group, LLC in Milwaukee; Stephanie Phillips, Executive Director, Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce; Carol White, Executive Director, The Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce; Sam Perlman, Economic Development Manager, Door County Economic Development Corporation; and Anna Schramke, Executive Director, Green County Economic Development Corporation.
For more information about the I&E Clubs you may contact Vernon Economic Development Association at 608.637.5396 or snoble@veda-wi.org.