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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
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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.
Attention Nonprofits...
Resource Guides
Assessing the Feasibility and Sustainability of Small-Scale Poultry Processing in Ohio (PDF format* - 550 kB)
This report provides an analysis of the economic, technical, and operational viability of operating a small-scale, mobile facility for the slaughter and packaging of chickens raised in Ohio
CIFT Producers' Resource Guide (PDF format* - 935 kB)
This publication provides farmers with the recommendations, contact information, Internet resources, programs and institutions where local farmers can connect for success. Click on the title above to download the pamphlet.
Extending Seasons and Profitability Through a Growing Environment (PDF format* - 5.19 mB)
Call them what you like, but hoop houses have been successfully used in many regions of the world for years, and are catching on in the U.S. This guide is a collection of fact sheets consolidating hoop house information and resources into one publication.
How to Help the Hungry in Northwest Ohio (PDF format* - 1.52 mB)
this directory helps growers find local soup kitchens, pantries and volunteers that can accommodate their donation. In addition to pickup contact information, the directory provides information on donation of time, student involvement, the Grow A Row Project, the Good Samaritan Act, donated food safety, and taxable donations.
Marketing Your Agritourism Venture (PDF format* - 1.80 mB)
It sounds complicated, but the goals are pretty simple. Marketing makes your customers aware of your business, motivates them to visit you, and encourages them to purchase items unique to your farm. This guide covers marketing strategies geared toward generating publicity and public awareness of your agritourism venture.
Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) (PDF format* - 2 mB)
This brochure describes the NOCK, a nonprofit commercial kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses, its mission and the services it provides. Click on the title above to download the pamphlet.
Northwest Ohio Food Manufacturers 2008 (PDF format* - 731 kB)
This guides lists Northwest Ohio food manufacturers. The guide is arranged by product category and provides contact information, as well as, a description of the products offered.
Renewable Energy Applications for Agricultural Enterprises (PDF format* - 375 kB)
This guide answers frequently-asked questions about renewable energy alternatives that apply to agricultural operations. It serves as a tool to judge the initial feasibility of various options.
Starting an Agritourism Venture (PDF format* - 1.42 mB)
This guide is an overview of what is involved in developing an agritourism enterprise. Subjects include rules & regulations, liability issues, zoning & building codes, food safety, water issues, sanitation, safety planning, hiring employees and promoting & marketing your business.
Starting a Farmers' Market (PDF format* - 111 kB)
This paper addresses organizing and running a farmers' market. Subjects include vendor/seller considerations, location & facilities, operations, and advertising & promotion.
USDA BioPreferredSM Program (PDF format* - 94 kB)
This brochure describes the USDA BioPreferredSM Program, a biobased procurement program, that requires Federal Government agencies to give purchasing preferences to businesses providing products composed totally, or in large part, of renewable domestic, agricultural or forestry materials.
*The document requires the Adobe Reader. 
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