Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development

MCARD Mission

Mission: To enhance the relationships between the rural and urban citizens, businesses, and agri-businesses of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County.

What is MCARD?

Agriculture is fundamental to the economy of Mahaska County, providing a foundation essential to the well being of farm families and townspeople alike. Our farms and towns are mutually dependent and share a future with a potential for growth and vitality. The Mahaska County Agriculture and Rural Development Program was established in October of 1998 to focus on what can be accomplished here to expand economic opportunity in our agriculture industry, in on-the-farm activity and in rural communities.

MCARD History?

The current Mahaska County Agriculture & Rural Development Program evolved from the groundwork lay by the committee and staff of the previous Rural Action program. It brought attention to the significance of the agriculture sector to the whole of an economy. The Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group, Mahaska County's Board of Supervisors and the local volunteers who serve as committee members decided to build upon these initial efforts and brought together a renewed vision to create the Agriculture and Rural Development Program.

Types of Projects

Agriculture

• Value-added projects on both the farm and industry level
• Programs for local producers
• Ag/Urban tours
• Organic & sustainable Ag strategies

Rural Development

• Assist local development groups
• Small business startups & expansions
• Housing
• Childcare
• Historical & Cultural
• Sewer and water
• Roads and infrastructure
• Tourism

Grantmanship

• Researching funding resources
• Project-related grant writing
• Grant Administration

Value-added Agriculture

You may have heard of this term. What is it? Value-added agriculture transforms crops and livestock into products worth more to the world marketplace, resulting in increased jobs and opportunities.

Cargill is one example of adding value to corn on a grand scale but local producers can add value to their own operations as well. For example, the value of corn increases five fold when fed to hogs rather than exported as raw commodity.

Marketing locally grown corn & soybean meal through hogs generates an additional $83/head in added values to the grain. With 506,607 hogs & pigs sold in our county (1997), this would mean an extra $42 million dollars being circulated though Mahaska County's Economy.

Ethanol fuel, soybean-based ink, and new corn and soybean hybrids are other products that add value. They too, translate into better markets for farm equipment, feed companies, trucking companies, packing plants, food processors & distributors. Value-added means adding value to our county's commodities, "at every step, from the farm gate to the dinner plate."

Agricultural Resources

Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District
Box 85, Oskaloosa, IA 52577-0085...................... (641) 673-3476
Local Contacts:
Karen Fynaardt SS, Kevin Funni DC, Gerald Bruxvoort CHR
e-mail: MCARD

ISU Extension Services

Brownfield Network

Soybeans: StratSoy or FSPGOLD
Corn: DeKalb Genetics Corporation, Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Cattle:  National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Swine: National Pork Producers Council

Farm Publications: Farm Journal, Iowa Farmer Today

Machinery: John Deere Company

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