First, provide the missing link in the process. It takes a long time for farmers to come together because there is no infrastructure to facilitate the development of the value-added business. While there are currently a number of government funds, such as the Rural Economic Development Fund, the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute and others, there are missing links to the new product development process. Government can fill these missing links. There must be a central point for rural communities and farmers to coordinate the financial and human resources with those of government.
Government serves as catalyst and facilitator.
Farmers and rural communities can own the enterprises. Our experience in Minnesota can be duplicated in every rural community in America, with literally hundreds of products. High quality paper can be made from corn stalks. Durable floor tiles from soybeans. Sophisticated medicines from most grains.