Our company is developing a series of investor-funded local food systems for the Omaha area. Planning for consumer product and market research is underway. This research will identify local foods and food products that can be produced and processed in efficient farm-to-fork food chains.
These start-up food systems will be managed by experienced local farmers who own and control their own food brands. Brands will feature foods from regenerative and organic farms that pay living wages to farmhands and food workers.
Farm-to-fork means ready for chefs, home cooks, or the table. Regenerative and organic mean cleaner soils and water and more wildlife resources. Most importantly, successful farmer-owned brands will keep millions of dollars in our regional economy. I estimate that consumers in a seven-county area that includes Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln spend about $8 billion every year on imported (non-local) foods while area farmers make less than $3 billion.
Consumer Demand
Consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it is raised and processed. Local farmer-owned brands with farm-to-fork traceability represent real profit opportunities for local landowners, growers, processors, and investors.
Commercial Scale
To secure land for commercial-scale production (farms, gardens, and orchards) we are inviting experienced landowners to form landowner-controlled “production units.” These are contiguous and nearby farms that can be managed together to produce a mix of crops and livestock best suited to local and regional consumer needs.
The farm owners will serve as directors for their local production units. My business partners and associates will help identify qualified operators and assist production unit boards in negotiating leases with an experienced operator. Leases will run from five to seven years. Operators will be encouraged to negotiate purchase options with landowners who may wish to sell in the future. We will prepare crop and livestock marketing, production, and processing plans for each unit. These plans will be discussed, amended, and approved by unit managers and their boards. Multiple units will be encouraged to work together to match local production with consumer demand.
Experience
Our company is uniquely qualified to organize sustainable local and regional food systems. As shown on page 5, I have a lifetime of experience in organic agriculture with over 40 years in planning and marketing. My business partners are trained professionals with years of direct experience in crop and livestock production, marketing, banking, and farm law with an emphasis on farmland succession within families and communities.
Page 2 explains why we need farmer-owned retail food brands. Pages 3 and 4 are on planning and marketing issues.
I would appreciate an opportunity to explain our business model and services.
Thank you.
Jim Steffen, President
Massena Corporation
402-317-2639
jim@massenafarms.com
Posted: 10-11-2026