In 1997, the cooperative contracted with one of the largest distributors of food products in the United States. Since then, an average of 2,000 pounds of rabbit meat products have been processed and marketed bi-weekly. Experts at North Dakota State analyzed the soil and water in central North Dakota to document the potential for irrigated potatoes there and explored the economic potential for diversifying into high-value crops. As a result, a new french fry plant has been built in Jamestown and an existing plant in Grand Forks has been expanded twice. Specialists have turned their attention to about 430,000 acres in Montana and western North Dakota that could be irrigated.
Producers hope another processing plant can be built in that area.
Helping home-based businesses. Since 1985, Oklahoma State Extension has helped 23,000 small businesses get started in marketing products and services. Studies show that more than 80 percent of home-based businesses contacting the program are still in business after four years, compared to a national report indicating that only 60 percent of small businesses survive that long. Another Oklahoma State program focuses on helping local businesses improve customer service so that they can remain competitive as national retailers move in and local economies evolve. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension ServiceUnited States Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy, the Academic Programs Committee on Organization and Policy, the International Programs Committee on Organization and Policy, and the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.