Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Hikaru Hanawa Peterson / Local foods is a growing market segment, and there are multiple businesses attempting to capitalize on the interest in buying from local producers. As consumer interest in local food continues to grow, businesses will be created to meet a growing demand. This research identifies areas in current customer segments in local foods that are not being serviced or are being underserviced. Potential business models are then identified in order to service the identified customer segments. One primary service gap that was identified in the research was that end consumers were not able to purchase local food per their definition of local food. Major retailers sell local produce and food items that were grown within the state boundaries, but few sell produce that is grown within the community. A cost/revenue framework simulation was built to compare three different types of business models that could potentially fill the identified service gap in the target area of Washington State. After the simulation was performed, the models were compared on net present values in lowest feasible, expected, and best case scenarios. Factors such as imitability and scalability were also considered. The three models were a micro-farming app and website, a CSA delivery and management service, and a non-profit community garden. The micro-farming site and app would allow producers and artisans, no matter the scale, to have an online marketplace to sell and trade food products. The CSA management and delivery model delivers CSA shares to customers while charging a delivery and management fee to the farm on which the CSA is based. The non-profit community garden is a five-acre parcel with a water retention system and offers tiered services for garden management in King County. Results suggest that even though each business model could potentially be feasible in the targeted areas, the most visibly promising model was the micro-farming website and app. Beyond the financial overview and analysis reported in the thesis, the business models could be ranked in a variety of ways according to an entrepreneur’s interest. More importantly, there is no better time than now to start building a business model that services customer’s interest in local food.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Allen M. Featherstone / The objective of this thesis is to determine if contract farming of fresh strawberries in Oceanside California is financially feasible. This is being considered as an alternative to managing the 185 acre fresh strawberry farm. The farming business is owned by a large fresh fruit marketing firm. As an independent custom grower I would not be subject to the same constraints as the marketing firm. No changes to management structure or product quality would be necessitated by this change. Assumptions for this study are specific to operating requirements for producing winter strawberries in North San Diego County in California. The cultural practices described and inputs used are considered to be usual for a well-managed commercial farm. The cost and returns are based upon actual historical data and representative of similar if not exact cultural practices and material inputs. The conceptual model used to guide the development of this study was taken from a generic feasibility study framework. It served as a controlled process to analyze the situation and determine the financial outcomes. The economic and financial viability analysis includes costs and returns per acre, monthly cash costs, sensitivity analysis, and overall profitability. The method used to assess the dimensions of viability was to weight them by evaluating key characteristics for relative strengths and weaknesses. The recommendation based upon this assessment is that the overall viability of the proposal is more than 80% and therefore merits the development of a comprehensive business plan.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Christine Wilson / During the past two decades, there has been major consolidation in the grain handling industry. Staying competitive in today’s environment involves finding projects that add value from a strategic geographic standpoint and a revenue generation standpoint. This study examines several economic factors regarding growth opportunities of facility assets that exist in Northern Kansas, and what the associated cost structure would look like based on a business feasibility study. This study researched the county production by volume and acreage devoted to crop production as well as bid structures and freight spreads of competitors currently in the region today. It also involved researching the margin structures, and it considered a strategic decision about the size of facility that could be built on the existing margin opportunity. Several economic theories were used to derive the feasibility of this research and measure the profitability of the project. Farmer sentiment was polled and a focus group was assembled to understand the opportunity that Scoular may have in the region. The results found a region that provides a steady volume of crop production and margins that are typical of those that Scoular is experiencing in other regions of the state. The research also found the farmers of this geography, receptive to more competition entering the market place.

El presente documento se presentará la idea de negocio que se desarrolló a lo largo del curso, la cual es Surf Place Perú que busca impulsar la industria del surf y llevar la experiencia del tablista a otro nivel mediante una plataforma online que brinda un espacio donde el tablista pueda seguir su experiencia de surfear una vez que sale del mar. Esto mediante los diversos métodos de investigación, tales como entrevistas y encuestas; se plantearon hipótesis para conocer la viabilidad del proyecto. Asimismo, conocer el mercado objetivo es muy importante y es por ello por lo que se realizó un estudio con el fin de conocer a qué segmento se dirigían los esfuerzos de ventas teniendo en cuenta los problemas y las necesidades que poseen estos segmentos. Finalmente, mediante el análisis financiero proyectado se confirmará el cumplimiento de los objetivos tanto a corto, mediano y largo plazo, así como la escalabilidad; asegurando un crecimiento en el transcurso de los años. / This document will present the business idea that was developed throughout the course, which is Surf Place Peru that seeks to promote the surf industry and take the surfer's experience to another level through an online platform that provides a space where the surfer can follow his surfing experience once he leaves the sea. This through the various research methods, such as interviews and surveys; Hypotheses were raised to know the viability of the project. Likewise, knowing the target market is very important and that is why a study was carried out in order to know which segment the sales efforts were directed at, taking into account the problems and needs of these segments. Finally, through the projected financial analysis, the fulfillment of the short, medium and long term objectives will be confirmed, as well as scalability; ensuring growth over the years. / Trabajo de investigación

Este trabajo de investigación identifica el interés del consumidor peruano por la carne de cuy. Se encontró en estudios de mercados, entrevistas, landing page y fan page, que los consumidores consideran el alto valor nutricional y el sabor exquisito del Cuy. Existe una demanda potencial del mercado por la carne de cuy, pero una poca demanda real ya que la oferta actual tiene una presentación inadecuada, la cual expone la cabeza, uñas y patas de este animal. Así es como nace MICKUY, con una oferta de Filete de Cuy empanizado en cereales andinos y empacado al vacío, que será vendido de manera online, a través de deliverys, en su primera etapa, y posteriormente en canales de distribución directos e indirectos. La materia prima de este proyecto es accesible y a un costo competitivo, su obtención está garantizada todo el año. Según las estimaciones el costo unitario de producto terminado es de S/.12.25 y el precio sugerido al público se fijó en S/. 30.00, lo que nos da un margen atractivo. Para la puesta en marcha del proyecto en su primera etapa se necesitará S/. 75,106 los socios fundadores aportaran el 40% y el 60% restante será cubierto por inversionistas externos y un préstamo bancario. Este proyecto es viable debido a que su TIR es de 25% y VPN de S/. 542,274. El negocio es rentable, factible y atractivo para posibles inversionistas externos. / This research paper identifies the interest of the Peruvian consumer in cuy meat. It was found in market studies, interviews, landing page and fan page, that consumers consider the high nutritional value and exquisite flavor of Cuy. There is a potential market demand for the cuy meat, but a little real demand since the current supply has an inadequate presentation, which exposes the head, nails and legs of this animal. This is how MICKUY was born, with an offer of Cuy Fillet breaded in Andean cereals and vacuum packed, which will be sold online, through deliverys, in its first stage, and then in direct and indirect distribution channels. The raw material of this project is accessible and at a competitive cost, obtaining it is guaranteed throughout the year. According to estimates, the unit cost of the finished product is S / .12.25 and the suggested retail price was set at S /. 30.00, which gives us an attractive margin. For the start-up of the project in its first stage, S /. 75,106 the founding partners will contribute 40% and the remaining 60% will be covered by external investors and a bank loan. This project is viable because the TIR is 25% and VPN of S /. 542,274. The business is profitable, feasible and attractive to potential external investors. / Trabajo de investigación