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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
Special Programs...
Our City in a GardenOur City in a Garden is an urban, Toledo-based system to produce, prepare, distribute, process, and preserve healthy food products in the community, and to accomplish these ends in a manner that stresses environmental sustainability.
CIFT MembershipSince 1995, CIFT has organized and managed a membership-based consortium of food industry companies, their suppliers, and academic institutions. The goal of the consortium is to enhance the economic viability of Ohio's food and agricultural sector through technology.
Energy & Environmental ManagementEnergy and environmental management initiatives can improve the bottom line for businesses through cost reduction and alternative revenue pathways, essentially enhancing market competitiveness.
Food SafetyThis page covers food safety issues ranging from safety recalls and safe food handling practices to regulatory guidelines.
Local InitiativesCIFT Local Initiatives include the Farm to School Program, Local Food Manufacturers Program, Agritourism and the Farm to Chef Program.
NOCKThe Agricultural Incubator Foundation's Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kithchen.
Northwest Ohio Energy Crop CenterThe mission of the Northern Ohio Energy Crop Center is the identification and evaluation of opportunities to involve regional growers, processors and other entrepreneurs in biofuel production.
Northwest Ohio Green Products CenterThe Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products.
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer ProgramUSDA-ARS technology transfer provides a means for moving promising technologies discovered through federal and university research into the public arena where they are developed into marketable products. USDA-ARS accomplishes this by forming partnerships with universities and private sector businesses.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
CIFT 2008 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2008 programs, projects and activities Hoop HousesA CIFT hoop house feasibility study that will determine what plants are appropriate to plant and when these plants will generate the greatest economic return. Ohio Federal Stimulus Bill WebsiteAn Ohio website where parties interested in federal stimulus dollars can submit ideas. Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers. USDA Releases Beginning Farmers and Ranchers PublicationUSDA-ERS Economic Information Bulletin EIB-53 (32 pp, May 2009) draws on data from annual surveys and the Census of Agriculture to provide policymakers with a better understanding of beginning farmers and ranchers, including how they contribute to U.S. agricultural production. Vertical Hydroponic Growing SystemsA high density vertical growing system designed for non-traditional production locations. The system enables plants to grow in significantly smaller spaces and in varying ground covers from concrete to parking lots.
CIFT Resources...
CIFT News ArchiveA repository of past CIFT news stories... CIFT RSS FeedsSubscribe to CIFT RSS feeds... CIFT Video LibraryA collection of CIFT event videos... Contact UsThe CIFT contact page with phone numbers, email addresses and directions... Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...Other Resources...
Current FDA RecallsThe Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over recalls involving food and pet & farm animal feed. This page is a list of the latest FDA food recall notices. Current USDA RecallsThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects and regulates meat, poultry products and eggs. This page is a list of the latest USDA food recall notices. FoodSafety.govFoodSafety.gov is your source for the latest news and information on food safety issues. Grants.govGrants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. Quick Reference Guide to Growth FinancingThis MEP guide provides information on general financing options, programs, and techniques available to small and medium-sized enterprises and companies pursuing growth oriented strategies.
CIFT News
CIFT Hosts Northwest Ohio Agribusiness Breakfast Forum - The Ohio Wine Industry
On July 16, 2009, CIFT, in conjunction with the Agricultural Incubator Foundation (AIF), hosted the fifth installment of the Northwest Ohio Agribusiness Breakfast Forum at the AIF facility in Bowling Green, Ohio. The informal forums provide educational networking opportunities and information on current issues, trends, and programs available to the agricultural community and those who support its advancement. This session featured guest speakers, Christy Eckstein, Executive Director of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee and Claudio Salvador, Wine Master and Co-owner of Firelands Winery in Sandusky, Ohio. The speakers provided an update on the status of the Ohio wine industry, including current events, programs, and issues.
Christy Eckstein began the session by providing an overview of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC). OGIC assists Ohio’s 123 wineries with marketing programs and, in conjunction with The Ohio State University, wine grape research, as well as, providing education to Ohio growers and consumers. Ms. Eckstein discussed several Ohio wine marketing programs including Ohio Wine TV and Ohio Wines on the Go.
Consumers can learn more about Ohio’s wineries by visiting Ohio Wine TV on the Taste Ohio Wines website. This program is an on-line wine tasting virtual tour of six Ohio wineries. Six regional videos are planned for the near future and will include other local attractions for Ohio travelers. A free subscription allows viewers to receive program updates and view the videos.
Ohio Wines on the Go is another great way for consumers to plan a visit to their favorite winery. Consumers can download up to six regional wine tours with door-to-door directions. The directions can be printed or uploaded to Garmin, TomTom or IPhone GPS devices.
Claudio Salvador discussed his experiences with the Italian and Ohio wine industries and how they have helped make Firelands Winery a success. Established in 1880 by German immigrants, Firelands Winery is one of the state’s oldest wineries. Firelands Vineyards are located on North Bass Island - also known as Isle St. George - in western Lake Erie.
The vineyards are part of the Isle St. George American Viticultural Area (AVA); the first official Ohio AVA and one of the only premium island wine growing districts in the world with its own appellation. An appellation identifies the geographic origin of the grapes used to produce a particular wine. In order for a winery to identify a wine by appellation, at least 85 percent of the wine must be produced from grapes grown in the viticultural area.
Related Ohio Wine Industry Links...
Ohio Grape Industries Committee Presentation - presented by Christy Eckstein at the Northwest Ohio Agribusiness Breakfast Forum on July 16, 2009.
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