Value-Added Ag Consulting

Yellow Springs Farm consults and advises farmers and food entrepreneurs on the how-to’s of commercializing value-added agricultural products.  Yellow Springs Farm has been assisting with recipe development, packaging, regulatory matters, commercialization, and sales and marketing  They focus on supporting the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and finding a niche for their value-added agricultural products in the supply chain.

In addition to assisting with commercializing value-added agricultural products, Yellow Springs Farm assists with grant writing for farmers needing to raise funding for research about their proposed value-added product, making the necessary capital investments to produce their product, and marketing and selling their products. Al and Catherine Renzi have been helping farmers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. In particular, utilizing the USDA value-added grants, they have been assisting farmers with funding of planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.

Cheese Coach:

We can help you with any of your business, cheese development, marketing or sales questions.  After 20 years in the cheese business, we have had the opportunity through trial and error to come up with the best formula for success for your artisanal dairy, cheese and yogurt production.

Cheese Production and Marketing:

Yellow Springs Farm can help you launch your dairy business today.  We have been in the dairy business for 20 years and during that time we launched an award-winning goat cheese and yogurt business in the Mid-Atlantic region.  We are geared towards the small to medium-sized producer, and can assist with the development of cheese and yogurt recipes, production, equipment, regulatory plans, food safety plans, animal husbandry, milk production, marketing, and sales. Hourly, half-day, full-day and project-based fee schedule for startup.

* In-person and Zoom sessions.

Food Safety Plans:

Are you in need of help assembling food safety plans, product specifications, HAACP plans, microbial food safety and testing protocols?  Most if not all of these food safety plans are required for regulatory approval for milking, cheesemaking, aging and product release. Retailers and Wholesalers will require documentation regarding the safety and manufacturing processes before you are able to sell to them. Having these living plans as a part of your business plan will help you access new markets and ensure that the products that you produce are safe.

Goat Care - this is where good milk starts:

Have you been thinking of raising dairy goats for personal enjoyment, or starting a business? What does it take to keep a goat happy and healthy? How to grow a herd from two animals to many more? What do goats eat? How to raise goat kids? What to expect when your doe is expecting? How to milk your goats with or without a pipeline or automated system? 

We offer coaching, consulting, and on-farm visits to help you prepare, learn, and enjoy your goats, whether they are pets, business investments, or both.