1. Introducing:
The Value Chain Cluster (VC2)
Initiative
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

2. Program Goals
Deliver hands‐on technical assistance and
coaching services to strengthen local food and
farm businesses in four regional “value chain
clusters” of West Virginia.
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

3. Who’s who
Administering the program:
Natural Capital Investment Fund
Shepherdstown, WV
Coordinating start-up:
West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Oak Hill, WV
West Virginia Community Development Hub
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

4. Who’s who
 Steering Committee includes:
 WV Small Farm Center
 WV Dept. of Education – Office of Child Nutrition
 WV Dept. of Education – Office of Career & Technical
Instructions
 Small Business Development Center (Region I)
 WV Dept. of Agriculture
 Collaborative for a 21st Century Appalachia
 … and others

5. Geographic Area Served
Cluster Counties Served
Doddridge-Tyler- Doddridge, Tyler, Ritchie,
Ritchie-Gilmer Gilmer
area
Greenbrier Valley Fayette, Greenbrier,
area Monroe, Pocahontas, and
Raleigh counties
Mid-Ohio Valley Calhoun, Clay, Roane, and
area Wirt counties
Tygart Valley Barbour, Preston,
area Randolph, Tucker, and
Upshur counties
17 West Virginia Counties covering about 1/3 of the state

6. Local leaders…
 Greenbrier Valley EDC
 Heart and Hand, Inc.
 Tygart Valley Growers Association
 Roane County WVU Extension
 Doddridge County WVU Extension
 Mountain State Naturals
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

7. What does the program offer?
 Technical assistance valued at $3,000 to $5,000 per
business or group
 Larger amounts for feasibility studies
 Use competitive bid process to select consultants
 Consultants paid directly by program
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

8. What kind of help can I get?
If you live in the 17 counties,
and are a
producer, processor, aggregator 0r
distributor of local food, you could
apply for:
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

9. What kind of help can I get?
 Business planning assistance
 Legal assistance (e.g contracts, incorporation)
 Technology to access markets
 Marketing assistance
 Affordable loans through Natural Capital
Investment Fund
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

10. Examples
 Assistance with HACCP Plans
 Assistance with Recipe Formulation
 Assistance with Facility Design & Compliance
with State & Federal Regulations & 3rd Party
Audits
 Website Development & Label Design
 Transition to Organic Certification
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

11. Examples
 Energy Audits
 Assistance with REAP Cost Share Grant
Applications and Other Programs.
 Set-up of Accounting Systems
 Market Assessment and Planning
 Feasibility study for a new slaughterhouse
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

12. Organizations that serve several
businesses, such as co-ops or farmers
markets, can apply too.
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

13. Examples
 Needs assessment and feasibility study to expand
meat processing in a region
 Design for regional local food branding campaign
 Trainings and support for farmer groups to
aggregate and sell to volume buyers
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution

14. So, how do I apply?
Contact:
Marten Jenkins, Natural Capital Investment Fund
mjenkins@conservationfund.org
304.870.2207
VC2 Initiative for Food & Farm Businesses Production • Processing • Aggregation • Distribution