Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

09/02/2026

🌾 Don’t miss out on the National Agricultural Marketing Summit! 🌾

Just a reminder-early bird registration closes September 13! ⏰

Join us October 19–21 in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the National Agricultural Marketing Summit. This is a great opportunity to connect with agricultural marketing professionals, hear from industry experts, and explore the latest trends and opportunities in agricultural markets.

🎟️ Register by September 13 to take advantage of early bird pricing!

📅 October 19–21, 2026
📍 Raleigh, NC

We hope to see you there! 🌱

📢 Registration is now open for the 2026 National Agricultural Marketing Summit!

Join us October 19–21 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as leaders from across agriculture and food systems come together to share ideas, build partnerships, and strengthen the future of our industry. The Summit focuses on accelerating innovation, strengthening collaboration, and building a resilient food economy.

🎤 Interested in presenting? Proposal submissions for breakout sessions, lightning rounds, and poster sessions are open through July 17, 2026.

🤝 Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available.

✅ Register today: https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/agsummit/register/

07/15/2026

How can communities strengthen local food systems after disaster?

Our latest video from the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) highlights the work taking place in Marshall County, Iowa, where ISU Extension and Outreach staff, Master Gardener volunteers and community partners came together to improve food access following the 2018 tornado, the 2020 derecho and the challenges of COVID-19.

The video showcases how collaboration led to community donation gardens and a network of little free pantries, demonstrating how local partnerships can help build more resilient food systems.

📖 Read the full news release: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/new-video-highlights-marshall-countys-food-systems-response-compounding-disasters

🎥 Watch the Marshall County Resilient Food Systems video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFGaj8kgC6Q&t=6s

AMES, Iowa – The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), housed within Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development, has released a new documentary video highlighting food systems resiliency in Marshall County, Iowa.

07/08/2026

🎙️ New podcast episode!

How can value-added agriculture create new opportunities for farmers, businesses, and communities?

In the latest episode of the FARM Champion Podcast, our own Dr. Courtney Long discusses how stronger markets, strategic partnerships, and resilient food systems can help producers succeed. She also highlights the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), a national resource offering market research, business planning tools, and educational resources to support informed decision-making across the agricultural sector.

Listen to the episode here:

 Value-added agriculture isn't just about creating a new product, it's about creating new possibilities. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Long shares how stronger markets, strategic partnerships, and resilient food systems can create opportuniti...

06/17/2026

📢 Registration is now open for the 2026 National Agricultural Marketing Summit!

Join us October 19–21 in Raleigh, North Carolina, as leaders from across agriculture and food systems come together to share ideas, build partnerships, and strengthen the future of our industry. The Summit focuses on accelerating innovation, strengthening collaboration, and building a resilient food economy.

🎤 Interested in presenting? Proposal submissions for breakout sessions, lightning rounds, and poster sessions are open through July 17, 2026.

🤝 Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available.

✅ Register today: https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/agsummit/register/

06/08/2026

🌽 Join the Iowa Local Food Challenge! 🌽

Did you know Iowans spend billions on food each year, much of it outside our state? By choosing more Iowa-grown food, we can support local farmers, strengthen our communities, and keep more food dollars working right here in Iowa.

Set a goal that works for you, whether it's one local meal a week or a portion of your grocery budget and make a difference one purchase at a time.

Learn more and sign up at iowafoodsystemcoalition.org/challenge

04/24/2026

🌱 Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Iowa Farm & Food Conference! 🌱

Join us June 11–12 in Waterloo for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration centered around “Futuring our Food System.” This annual event brings together farmers, food businesses, and community leaders to explore the future of Iowa’s food system, local food, and cross-sector collaboration.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, share ideas, and be part of shaping what’s next!

🔗 Register and learn more here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/cfs-annual-event

04/02/2026

🚨 Don’t Miss Out — VAPG Deadline is Almost Here! 🚨

Time is running out to apply for the USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)! If you’ve been thinking about expanding or enhancing your agricultural business, now’s the time to act.

⏳ Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET
(The application window is closing fast!)

The VAPG program through USDA Rural Development provides funding to help producers create and grow value-added products — whether that’s developing a business plan or scaling up processing and marketing efforts.

💡 Who can apply:
• Independent agricultural producers
• Producer groups
• Farmer & rancher cooperatives

💰 What the grant can support:
• Planning activities — feasibility studies, business plans, marketing strategies
• Working capital — processing, packaging, labeling, promotion, and more

If you’ve been considering applying, don’t wait — deadlines come up quickly, and submissions must be in on time to be considered.

🔗 Start your application:
https://vapg.rd.usda.gov/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2F

📘 Learn more about eligibility & details:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants

This is a great chance to take your value-added ag business to the next level — make sure you get your application in before time runs out!

🚨 USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Now Open! 🚨

The 2026 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) application window is officially open! This program from USDA Rural Development helps agricultural producers, producer groups, cooperatives, and producer-based businesses fund projects that add value to agricultural products — from business planning and feasibility studies to processing, marketing, and more.

📆 Application Window: January 15 – April 15, 2026
🕐 Deadline: 1:00 p.m. ET on April 15, 2026

💡 Who can apply:
• Agricultural producers
• Agricultural producer groups
• Farmer/rancher cooperatives

💰 What’s supported:
• Planning grants (e.g., feasibility studies, business & marketing plans)
• Working capital grants (e.g., processing, packaging, labeling, advertising)
Total funding and specific award caps vary each year and are announced in the official notice.

✅ Start your application here:
👉 VAPG Application Portal: https://vapg.rd.usda.gov/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2F

📘 More info & eligibility details:
👉 USDA VAPG program page: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants

This is a great opportunity to grow your value-added ag business — don’t miss the deadline! 🚜💡