Focusing on...Networking of Producers, Processors,
Retailers, Restaurateurs, and Consumers for
Economic Vitality

The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville hosted the Agricultural and Food Ventures Conference 2001 on the 5th and 6th of April, 2001.  The theme of this conference was "Networking of Producers, Processors, Retailers, Restaurateurs, and Consumers for Economic Vitality".  The conference was co-sponsored by New York Small Scale Food Processors Association (NYSSFPA) and other organizations.  The conference brought together producers, processors, retailers, restaurateurs, and other professionals in the agricultural industry to exchange information, discuss opportunities, and address challenges for agriculture and food ventures in the 21st century.  The conference was held in conjunction with the Second Annual Meeting of the New York State Small Scale Food Processors Association.

Conference sessions consisted of the following:

• E-Commerce
• Packaging
• Business planning
• Ethnic Food Market
• Product Quality
• Distribution Channels
• Export and International Marketing
• Internet Marketing
• Packaging for Marketing 
• Networking
• Agricultural Tourism
• Affluent/Health Food Market
• Capital Acquisition and Debt Service
• Labeling
• Consumer Trends
• Regulations on Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Meat, and Poultry
• Product Liability Insurance
• Small Scale Food Product Development
• Linking Producers to Processors

Several panel discussions were also held including the following:

• Linking Chefs and Restaurateurs with Producers
• Where to Market Your Products
• Identification of Funding Sources

The Agricultural and Food Ventures Conference 2001 was held at the campus of the SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology in Morrisville, New York.  About 230 individuals and exhibitors participated in the conference.  For more information, please call 315-684-6083 or send e-mail to Dr. Christopher D. Lu (lucd@morrisville.edu).