Prospering | Learn More About Your Idea

Learn More About Your Idea

A number of government, cooperative and regional organizations exist to help and serve you. Take advantage of the expertise that is often right in your own backyard.

Marketplace

The Marketplace event, which takes place every January in Bismarck, is a great place to get ideas. The event devotes itself to economic development by gathering in one place farmers, rural residents, economic development advisors, agricultural public groups and organizations, and leaders and educators to display new enterprises and offer assistance.

Marketplace Headquarters
Marilyn Kipp, Coordinator
HC05, Box 107
Mandan ND 58554
701-663-0150
ccmail.mkipp@ranch.state.nd.us

Pride of Dakota

The Pride of Dakota was created in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to foster value-added endeavors and provide marketing assistance.

N.D. Dept. of Agriculture
Marketing Division
600 E. Blvd.
Bismarck ND 58505-0020
701-328-2231
ndda@pioneer.state.nd.us

North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Comission

This organization looks to create new wealth and jobs through the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota agricultural products. You may want to contact the commission to get an application for their grant program.

N.D. Agricultural Products Utilization Commission
1833 E. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58504
701-328-5350

County Extension Agents

You're already familiar with your County Extension Agent as a source of crop and livestock information. Your Extension Agent also has a wide array of publications designed to help you diversify your operation, turn your hobby into an income generator or hook up with or start your own cooperative. Once you decide what you want to do, visit the Extension office or call. You'll find help and publications like these:

Where to Find Information for Value-added Production Possibilities--A Guide for North Dakotans, by Mark A. Krause, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, North Dakota State University.
Although no longer with NDSU, Krause left behind this excellent basic guidebook. In narrative form, it leads you through many of the questions you need to ask yourself, and helps you find the information you need if you want to diversify.
Business Reports, Forms, and Licenses Required in the State of North Dakota, Center for Leadership and Community Development, NDSU Extension Service, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105.
As the name implies, this booklet directs you through all the "red tape" requirements for a wide variety of businesses and occupations in the state.
State of North Dakota New Business Registration Forms: Consolidated Packet of Information
This handy publication contains all the forms from various state agencies, including the State Tax Commissioner, you'll need if you are going to produce and sell a product to the public. Also contains forms to request much helpful information from agencies.

Small Business Development Centers

An excellent source of information and help is the North Dakota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has field offices throughout the state. Any SBDC office will provide you with helpful publications and can help you through the steps of starting a business.

SBDC State Center/Grand Forks
University of North Dakota
118 Gamble Hall
Box 7308
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7308
701-777-3700
800-445-7232

Cooperatives

In a cooperative, the producers of raw materials, or, in the case of utility cooperatives, use the product or service, own the "company." Cooperatives are a way for producers to become value-added manufacturers. They risk investments in the hope of collectively gaining greater power in the market place than one individual could have. Before joining a cooperative, you should find out answers to at least five questions:

How will I benefit from membership?
What are my risks?
How will membership in the co-op affect my farm or ranch operation?
How will my lender view my investment in the co-op?
How will membership impact my life and finances?

The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives (listed below) has a wealth of information for anyone interested in joining or starting a cooperative. In addition, the Marketplace Resource Directory is an excellent source of information about cooperatives and value-added enterprises. It is available from the N.D. Dept. of Agriculture or Marketplace Headquarters, both listed here.

Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives
David W. Cobia, Director
301 Morrill Hall, Box 5636
Fargo ND 58105-5636
701-231-7446
dcobia@ndsuext.nodak.edu
American Commercial Rabbit Cooperative
8095 40th AVE NW
Lansford ND 58750-9662
701-784-5881
Central Dakota Growers
Rudy Radke, Extension Ag Diversification Specialist
Courthouse, Room 204
230 4th St. NW
Valley City, ND 58072-2947
701-845-8528
Dakota Growers Pasta Cooperative
Box 21
Carrington, ND 58421
701-652-2855
Great Northern Garlic Growers Cooperative
RR6, Box 363
Minot ND 58073
701-839-6036
North American Bison Cooperative
RR1, Box 162B
New Rockford ND 58356
701-947-2505
North American Fish Farmers Cooperative
PO Box 98
Binford ND 58416
701-676-2620
N.D. Sheep Producers Cooperative
RR1, Box 35
Hope ND 58046
701-945-2623
Sakakawea Vegetable Growers Cooperative
410 2nd Ave. NE
Hazen ND 58545
701-748-6347
Sunseed Growers Cooperative
Box 224
Crookston MN 56713
218-281-2646

Associations

Belonging to a trade groups can be a valuable way to learn from others' mistakes and successes. Members usually share their experiences, and many associations offer education, training and networking opportunities. A good resource for finding an association that fits your needs is the 1997 North Dakota Agriculture Directory compiled by The Ag Foundation.

The Ag Foundation
4023 State St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
701-22-2216