Value-Added Agriculture

Value-added agriculture refers to additional cleaning, packaging, processing or distributing done by the farmer to achieve higher returns for the crop. Value-added can also refer to unique and innovative products grown by the farmer such as organic products.

Value-added agriculture can improve farmer’s production and profitability. It can also help to develop market clusters, which expands market niches for these products. Groups of producers working in the same sector can lead to regional recognition for a product type. Napa Valley Vintners are an excellent example. These market developments support an increase in jobs and improve local economic growth.

Examples of unique and value added products in the Sierra Nevada include:

• Disease-free garlic seeds in Inyo County being grown for domestic and international producers;
• Native species plants in Plumas County grown for surrounding urban areas;
• Organic free range chicken raised in Mariposa County;
• Herbal Soaps and Tinctures
• Unique wine grape varietals in Fresno and Calaveras, as well as Amador, El Dorado, Nevada counties and in Genoa, Nevada

Another way to add value to products includes developing a recognized brand name, a brand that represents quality and Sierra Nevada agriculture. The High Sierra Beef brand development is an example of ranchers in the Sierra Nevada working together to add value and consumer recognition to their product.

Countywide organizations can also effectively develop a brand presence for its agricultural products. PlacerGROWN is a nonprofit, membership organization formed to assist Placer County farmers and ranchers with marketing produce and farm products. The PlacerGROWN objective is to link farmers, ranchers and community members, providing a venue for farmers and ranchers to introduce themselves to the community and advertise the products they produce. PlacerGROWN enables consumers to connect with farmers and their products by encouraging the local community to support local farms and ranches. Supporting PlacerGROWN contributes to the local economy, preserves open space and maintains the viability of agriculture in the county.

Modeled upon PlacerGROWN, Calaveras County created its own countywide marketing and education program in 1999. Calaveras Grown produces a farm trail map that easily identifies where members are located and what they are growing. The program even branded itself with a frog logo, owing its creation to Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The logo appears on county grown products, so consumers can readily identify local items and support local businesses.

With assistance from the University of California Cooperative Extension, Amador County established its own agricultural marketing program, Farms of Amador, in 2002 and Tuolumne County launched its marketing program, Farms of Tuolumne, in 2006.