http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/456950
  WED., JUL 1, 2009 - 5:58 PM
Co-op forming in Iowa County aims at rural economic development
By MARV BALOUSEK
608-252-6135
mbalou...@madison.com

A new Iowa County cooperative may expand revenue sources for farmers and
serve as a model for economic development in other rural counties.

About 40 people gathered June 15 at the Wyoming Town Hall near Spring
Green to learn about the Driftless Foods Co-op, which is in the
formation process.

Construction could begin this fall on the co-op’s first project, an
individual quick-frozen vegetable processing plant in Highland, said
Rick Terrien, executive director of the Iowa County Area Economic
Development Corp.

Seeking initial funding of $20 million to $25 million through investors
and grants, the co-op also plans to pursue sustainable poultry
processing, hydroponic tomato production and a regional pet-food line.

Terrien said the co-op will be modeled after a worker cooperative in
Spain that has spawned many small businesses. He said it’s a better
economic development strategy for rural counties than "chasing
smokestacks" and trying to attract big companies.

"I want to turn Iowa County into a 763-square-mile (business)
incubator," he said.

Mark Olson, of Renaissance Farm near Spring Green, who turns the fresh
herbs he grows on three acres into seven product lines marketed
nationally, said he would prefer to work with the co-op.

"From a producer’s point of view, it will mean the ability to take my
raw agricultural products and have them processed at a scale that is
economical and allows me to compete in a larger market," he said.

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