"It's a multi-purpose publication," says the lead author of the Agricultural Development Center's latest publication on value-added agriculture. According to Rob Holland, Feasibility Specialist with the Center, the publication consists of 12 case-study reports from value-added ag. enterprises in Tennessee. The case studies will be used primarily as teaching tools with farmers and agri-entrepreneurs who are considering value-added enterprises themselves. The case studies report the experiences of actual rural enterprises and businesses so that other would-be entrepreneurs can relate to real-life situations. The studies provide insight into the start-up, market development, capitalization, regulatory and growth stages of the businesses. The 12 cases portray Tennessee's diversity ranging from Memphis to Elizabethton and from caviar and cookies to composted soil conditioner and furniture parts, and much in between.

While the publication, "Documenting Successes of Value-Added Agriculture Enterprises: A Series of Case Studies," is primarily intended as a teaching and training tool for enhancing the success of value-added agriculture, it also provides a good understanding of the variety of value- added enterprises that exist. The cases also serve as an interesting look into the impact of value-added agriculture enterprises, not to mention a guide to some wonderful value-added farm products and services.

The case study project is one of many collaborative efforts between The University of Tennessee's Agricultural Development Center (ADC) and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Division of Market Development. Support for the project was provided by the state "Ag Tag" license plate fund, the ADC and similar projects in other state's.

Limited copies of the publication have been printed for specific use in teaching and training. Electronic versions are available for viewing and printing from the Center for Profitable Agriculture's (CPA) Web site at http://cpa.utk.edu/