Farmer-Owned Retail Food Brands

Omaha and surrounding communities need profitable farmer-owned retail food brands to improve economic performance in two key areas: food security, and health among low- and middle-income residents.

This website explains how small landowners, farmers, and local investors can work together with locally owned food processors to build profitable farmer-owned retail food brands for nearby cities. Our two Omaha area farms will be part of a series of demonstration projects.

Local Food Production Units

Our production units will help increase local food chain capacity and food variety while reducing food costs. As used here, a production unit is a group of two or more contiguous and nearby farms managed together by one operator selected by the landowners.

These small farm management companies will cut farm-level production costs while attracting better contracts for a wide variety of field crops, livestock, and fresh produce – all without buying or selling farms and without taking on farm debt. Production unit landowners, farmers, and their families will  approve preliminary business plans and lead public information programs for investors and consumers.

Marketing

Once several production units are up and running, we plan to incorporate a separate farmer-controlled marketing company. This company will focus on transitioning farmer-owned direct sales brands to Omaha area retail food service and grocery markets. It will also work with vendors to reduce farm and production unit input costs and with commodity firms to negotiate forward contracts for specialty and organic crops and livestock.

To select value-added products, we will start with focus groups for commodity buyers and Omaha area residents. The research results will help potential production unit members (landowners and farmers) evaluate demand for value-added products. As explained on page 2, my company will use the results to guide farmer-led production unit business planning, public information meetings, and investor negotiations.

Production unit farmers will control this regional research and market development company – with direct oversight by a board of directors composed of production unit landowners. Local contractors will conduct product and market research and prepare business plans. ROI for the food chain members (including Massena Farms) will be based on audited sales of commodities and direct-to-consumer products along with sales to local institutions, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Until the marketing company is incorporated, our farm corporation and business partners will support landowners and farmers who organize local food chains. We are inviting food related companies, investors, and organizations to become project partners.

Our Bennington Farm

Our 78-acre Bennington organic farm is in Omaha’s suburban development path in northwest Douglas County. However, we intend to stay in business by negotiating operating and branding agreements with local farmers and other entrepreneurs.

The first enterprise is beef grazing on our 60-acre pasture. I am inviting local cow-calf producers to discuss a production unit(s) for regenerative and organic crops and specialty beef. We will start with one or more intensive grazing loops in northwest Douglas and southern Washington counties.

Next, I want to meet experienced gardeners to discuss a specialty and organic fruit and vegetable production unit that will market its products under one or more farmer-owned retail food brands. To produce the necessary variety, quality, and volume, production will be planned and managed under a joint operating agreement(s) with nearby orchards and gardens. This agreement will include farmer-controlled contracts for marketing, processing, and distribution.

With support from my business partners, I am also planning a privately funded educational and event center dedicated to developing commercial-scale production units that supply farmer-owned retail food brands. Programs and services will focus on building relationships among farmland owners, farmers, and local investors as well as food processors, distributors, institutions, restaurants, and grocery stores .

Fourth, we have re-started planning for a residential “agrihood”. Our goal is a limited number of sustainably constructed “eco homes” that fit within a peaceful natural environment. These homes will be for individuals, couples, and families, including young farmers who handle cattle and vegetable production and marketing. Public information meetings started in 2025 will continue this fall and winter.

Please read on and then contact me to arrange an appointment.

Thank you.