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1.Organization Structure
WADA will be structured as an incorporated 501 3 c non-profit corporation. It will be located in Houston or Henry Counties in order to qualify for rural based initiatives of the United States Department of Agriculture.
2.Vision
Promoting agriculture as a viable industry that provides good jobs and opportunities for area producers and entrepreneurs.
3.Purpose
To preserve, enhance and promote all agriculture and related industries in the wiregrass area. Work will focus on a business sector inside of a 100 mile radius of Dothan, Alabama.
4. Mission
Build partnerships, research and activate funding sources, incubate new out of the box business strategies, educate and build awareness of the importance of agriculture to the future growth and prosperity of the region as an economic engine which generate jobs and business opportunities.
5. Project Definitions
WADA is an organization that evaluates opportunities which exploits the agricultural resources of the region, resulting in real economic growth and jobs (training, education, international business, trade, commerce, and financial markets).
WADA will take a holistic, comprehensive approach to creating successful new farmers and the production and business processes which evolve with these strategies.
WADA will collaborate national, regional, state and local partnerships.
WADA will seek-out and identify all agricultural opportunities through the activation of a full or part-time economic development specialist.
WADA will tell the agriculture story of the Wiregrass.
WADA will increase public awareness through multiple media, technical and educational efforts.
WADA will identify the problems and propose solutions faced by the industry.
WADA will coordinate efforts to create a more potent agriculture infrastructure by forming a group lead by an effective advisory committee, and supported by a fulltime staff that enables new and existing producers to develop successful farming systems and marketing enterprises that are adapted to the local ecological and social characteristics of the Wiregrass. The implementation strategy involves the enhancement of the capabilities of individuals, organization, and industry through education, advocacy, training consultancy, research, policy analysis and business development.
WADA will promote entrepreneurial linkages of companies.
WADA will promote free market activities.
WADA will promote the value of agriculture to life in the Wiregrass and increase the viability of farmers as an asset to the community.
The Agriculture Committee has been meeting monthly to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry in our region. We have decided that a new 501c-3 entity should be created and lead by our group to support existing farmers and champion the development of new agriculture opportunities in the Wiregrass. By the first quarter 2011, we plan to deliver a document which describes the mission, the vision, goals and objectives for the organization. The name we have selected for the organization is Wiregrass Agricultural Development Association or “WADA”. Momentum is building and expectations are high. We are hopeful that we can continue to attract more enthusiastic members to the group.
Agriculture Goal: Agriculture is an important economic engine in the Wiregrass region, therefore we need a dedicated economic developer to promote and research viable agriculture opportunities for the Wiregrass region.
Plan: Identify funding, job responsibilities, and a proper candidate for an Agriculture Economic Developer.
And continue as a group to promote agricultural growth throughout the Wiregrass.