Real Deal Conference provides inspiration for food coop
By Mary Holle

Those attending the Real Deal conference in Atwood this weekend were able to network, explore business options and learn how other producers have found their niches and are making a go of businesses that are "outside the box."

Friday morning began with the group of about 40 participants splitting into two groups. One toured Ben-Lee Processing Plant and the Simminger Buffalo Ranch. The other group headed west to tour Bird City Bird Seed, High Noon Feeds and Leitner's Gamebirds. "Participants said they were very impressed with the quality of the businesses they toured," Chris Sramek, Rawlins County Economic Development director, said. Friday afternoon events included speakers at Rawlins County High School and a youth entrepreneur fair with 11 new businesses competing for cash prizes.

On Saturday, co-creators of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative told their story of how the successful business was launched. "Developing a local food cooperative can capture a part of the food market and keep that money here," Bob Waldrop said. "The more times a dollar can circulate in the community, the more money it generates locally." Kim Barker, an Oklahoma producer and board member of the coop said he had wanted to market in the metro area, but didn't have any good contacts, until the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.

"But, you have to know your production costs, label, package delivery and marketing costs," he explained. "You can get the middleman's money, but you have to do his job." The food cooperative concept is becoming more and more important, Waldrop said. "It takes 1,500 miles to get dinner to the plate," he said. "We need a local food system to maintain a local food source."

Chris and Sherri Schmidt, local producers and part of the Schmidt's Premium Beef family, hope to start a similar cooperative in Northwest Kansas. Those interested in participating may call them at 785-322-5229 for more information.

The Oklahoma Food Cooperative provides their customers with over 100 different products, including non-food items. Jim Rowh, of Pure Prairie Foods, spoke about finding his niche by marketing organic products in his natural food store and restaurant, located in Norton. Rowh said producers who grow certified organic products are "in the driver's seat when maintaining food prices."

Organic grains can be pre-contracted and there's a "huge demand for organic beef and poultry," he said. Becki Rhoades of the Kansas Department of Agriculture spoke about considerations of farmers markets and direct marketing of products from the farm to the food preparer. "People want to know where their food comes from," she said. "Have a plan. Know the who, what, where, when and how of your marketing. "There's no instant gratification in direct marketing," Rhoades said. "You have to keep on trucking."

Adam Inman, also from the Kansas Department of Agriculture provided information on rules and regulations of food processing and marketing. He said rules governing egg production were in the process of being changed. He also said Kansas State University is the place to receive help when getting started with a home-based ag business. Following the conference, local producers gathered to brainstorm about local food cooperative possibilities, surfacing home-based businesses and organizing HomeTown Competitiveness task forces.

Sponsors of the conference include: Atwood Ambassadors, Atwood Lions Club, Atwood Rotary Club, Bison Rx Compound-ing and Therapy, Inc, Bob Creighton, Candlewick Homes, CHS Foundation, Decision Weather, Inc., Farmers State Bank, Kansas Farmers Union, Ogallala Commons, RCED, Rawlins County Extension Council, Rawlins County Fair Board, Rawlins County Health Center, Rawlins County HTC, Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech, Star Printing and USD #105 Rawlins County.