By
Jim Steffen
USDA data shows clearly that 90 percent of the farms in this country produce only 35 percent of our food (USDA) . The vast majority of these smaller farms are losing money because the owners and operators are not organized to compete in conventional and specialty commodity markets, and most important, in local and regional retail grocery markets .
Investor and Consumer Support
Our company is focused on building local and regional production and processing capacity for high-value specialty and organic commodities and farmer-owned retail food brands.
Researchers from Iowa State University have made a compelling case for farmer-owned food brands in midwestern agriculture. Farmers need lasting relationships with nearby consumers (in large numbers) in order to support decent household incomes for farmers, farm workers, and food workers.
But by themselves, small farmers, landowners, and their organizations are not equipped to organize and finance new food chain infrastructure. To meet this need, Massena Farms works with landowners, farmers, and investors.
Massena Farms Services
We offer four basic services. To build production efficiency, we begin by inviting landowners to organize “regenerative production units.”
These are groups of contiguous and nearby farms. Once organized, each unit will be leased with purchase options to an experienced farmer selected by the landowners. Organized production units reduce costs and improve income from conventional and specialty commodity markets – without buying or selling land in the near term and without new farm debt.
Second, and with letters of interest in hand from landowners, we will write preliminary farm and production unit business plans.
Third, we will invite farmers to apply for production unit leases that include defined marketing responsibilities.
Fourth, our business partners we will work with landowners and farmers as they plan and conduct public and investor information programs. These programs are designed to raise new capital for regenerative and organic crop and livestock production and marketing.
Our services are explained in more detail on the following pages. Please read on and then contact me for an appointment.
Thank you.
Jim Steffen, President
Massena Corporation
402-317-2639
jim@massenafarms.com
Posted 7-09-25