The Center for Profitable Agriculture background image The University of Tennessee
 


PROJECT CRITERIA  |  PRINTABLE APPLICATION FORM

We are pleased that you have an interest in the Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA). The Center is a partnership between the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and is committed to increasing the value of Tennessee's economy through new, expanded and improved processing and marketing of agricultural, aquacultural and forestry products in Tennessee.

The Center is new and growing. Because of the number of requests that the Center has received, it has become necessary to screen applications. Our faculty, who will be working directly with the Center's projects, have developed primary and secondary criteria that acceptable projects must meet. Please review the criteria required for a project to be accepted by the CPA before filling out the application.

Below is the CPA Online Application Form. Please review this form and provide the information requested, with as much detail as possible. The information you provide will be carefully evaluated by the Center's faculty, and will provide the basis for acceptance as a project. Your information about the product or service, marketing plans, and business plans–including financing–are especially critical and will be treated as confidential.

Following receipt of your application, the Center's faculty will evaluate it, and we will be back in contact with you as soon as possible.

If you would prefer to send the application in by regular mail, a printable version is also available. Click here for the printable application.

If you have any questions or would like additional information before you begin the application process, please contact us at:

The Center for Profitable Agriculture
P.O. Box 1819
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(931) 486-2777 (phone)
(931) 486-0141 (fax)
Email: cpa@utk.edu


  
CPA Online Application Form

Applicant Name:

Business Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

County in which the project is located:

Phone:

Fax:

E-mail:

Website:

Date:

 

As part of the CPA routine follow-up with you, we will also communicate with your county Extension office.

Have you been in contact with your county Extension Office regarding this project? Yes No


Please provide the following information.

1. Describe your product or idea, include how it differs (or not) from others in the market.

2. How does your project add value to Tennessee agriculture, aquaculture or forestry commodities?
   (Value added is defined as new, improved or expanded efforts in the areas of processing, packaging or marketing.)

3. Describe the process used to produce the product or service.

4. Describe your experience/training (formal and informal) associated with developing this product or similar products.

5. Outline the marketing plans for your product.

    a. What is your assessment of the market potential of your product or service?

  

    b. Who and/or what is your competition? (Competition is defined as goods or services produced by others,
        whose function is similar to or a substitute for your product or service.)

  

    c. Who are your targeted customers - those who are likely to purchase your product or service?
       Give a detailed description.

  

6. What are your business and personal goals for this idea?

7. The CPA does not provide funding for projects.

    a. How much money do you estimate it will take to get your project started?
        How was this estimate determined?

     

  b. Explain how you have or how you plan to explore and obtain the financing necessary to begin the proposed
      value-added enterprise.

   

8. What are the major risks for this project?

9. Will this value-added enterprise create jobs and increase income in Tennessee? Describe the economic potential.

10. It is critical that we know what assistance you would like from the CPA. Indicate how the CPA
     can be of assistance to you. Be specific. (For example, cost analysis, market research, break-even
     analysis, feasibility study, marketing/business plan, product analysis, technical assistance, etc.)

11. Do you have a written business plan? YesNo

Thank you for your application. We will be contacting you in the near future.