Dr. Susan T. KohlerDunn-Richmond Economic Development Center

and Dr. Christopher C. Kohler

Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture CenterSouthern Illinois University Carbondale

April 9, 2003

Rural Enterprise and Alternative Agricultural Development: An Illinois Initiative

Over one million workers are employed in Illinois’ food and fiber system

Over nine billion dollars annually is generated by the marketing of Illinois’ agricultural commodities

An increasing number of farm families are dependent on off-farm income to make ends meet

Low commodity prices, along with domestic and foreign competition, have made it difficult for many Illinois farmers to remain profitable

Administered byAdministered byAdministered byAdministered by

Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

In Partnership WithIn Partnership WithIn Partnership WithIn Partnership With

Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Economic Development Approaches

Enterprise AttractionEnterprise Development

Enterprise Retention and Expansion

ApproachesApproaches

Based on the premise that attracting new businesses to

a community will add employment and income.

Enterprise Attraction Enterprise Attraction ApproachApproach

Focuses on business creation or formation to

add jobs and income.

(Lenzi 1995)

Enterprise Development Enterprise Development ApproachApproach

Stresses technical assistance to enterprises in the areas of

business planning, marketing and financial analysis.

Enterprise Development Enterprise Development ApproachApproach

Focuses on existing businesses and promotes job growth by helping

enterprises identify conditions that affect production or threaten viability.

(Morse 1990)

Enterprise Retention & Enterprise Retention & Expansion ApproachExpansion Approach

Enterprise Developmentand

Enterprise Retention & ExpansionApproaches

in Concert withResearch and Technical Assistance

READI ModelREADI Model

To expand

income and job

opportunities in

rural alternative

agricultural

enterprises.

GoalGoal

Aquaculture

SECTORS

Viticulture/Wineries

Specialty Crops

To promote and

facilitate the

development and

expansion of

sustainable

aquaculture

enterprises

in Illinois.

Goal of the Aquaculture ComponentGoal of the Aquaculture Component

Business Component• Feasibility Studies• Marketing Studies• Business Plans• Technical Assistance• Fact Sheets• Seminars/Workshops

StrategyStrategy

Production Component• Research Projects• Demonstration Projects• Technical Assistance• Fact Sheets• Seminars/Workshops

StrategyStrategy

• Researchers• Students• Technical Experts

Business Production

TEAMTEAMTEAMTEAM

Business Plans and Business Plans and Feasibility StudiesFeasibility StudiesBusiness Plans and Business Plans and Feasibility StudiesFeasibility Studies

Guyot Fish Service - Hauling

Crim Family Fish Farm-Catfish

Lusk Fish Farm- Hybrid Striped Bass

Illinois Fish Farmer’s Coop

Totals to date:

14 Business Plans

11 Feasibility & Marketing

Studies

•Starting a Small Business•Business Structure•Taxation•Record Keeping•Production Costs

WorkshopsWorkshops WorkshopsWorkshops

•Fish Farm Business Plan Workbook

•Southern Illinois Festival Markets for Freshwater Prawns

•Organizational Structures Available to Agriculture

PublicationsPublicationsPublicationsPublications

• Surface coal mine lakes cage culture

• Blue x channel catfish hybrid

• Hybrid striped bass

• Freshwater prawn industry

• Recirculating aquaculture systems

R&D--Responding to the Needs R&D--Responding to the Needs of the Industryof the Industry R&D--Responding to the Needs R&D--Responding to the Needs of the Industryof the Industry

Demonstration ProjectsDemonstration Projects

Culture of Freshwater

Prawns in Southern

Illinois

Hybrid Striped Bass

Phases I, II & III

in Open Ponds

Tilapia Production Using

Indoor Water Reuse

Systems

• Phone contacts with the aquaculture specialist

2,415• Informational mailings

913 • Site Visits

237• Conferences/workshops

49• Presentations

68

Technical AssistanceTechnical AssistanceTechnical AssistanceTechnical Assistance

Aquaculture Fact SheetsAquaculture Fact Sheets

• Aquaculture in the United States: An Introduction to the Industry

• Aeration and Water Quality:Airlift Devices

• A Production Method for Freshwater Prawns in Illinois Ponds

• Wetlands and Illinois Aquaculture

Communications StrategyCommunications Strategy

•Web Site

www.siu.edu/~readi

Technical Assistancein the

Business and Production Aspects of Aquaculture

READI ModelREADI Model

Measures of Success in AquacultureMeasures of Success in Aquaculture

• Acreage in aquaculture production has increased 50% from 603 acres to

925. • The number of farmers has

quadrupled (~12 to ~50). • Fourteen business plans were developed of which six

received funding. • 42 enterprises were started/expanded.