Georgia oilseed initiative: report on the feasibility of an oilseed processing facility in Georgia

In response to the continuing low prices and subsequent low or non-existent profits for soybeans and canola, a group of Georgia farmers requested a study to determine the feasibility of a project to capture the value added of processing and marketing locally produced oilseeds. The Georgia Legislature authorized funds to the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies to support an in-depth study of the feasibility of a farmer owned facility to process and market Georgia oilseeds. The Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development was charged with the task of conducting the study. The basic premise of the Oilseed Initiative is that Georgia farmers, through cooperative action, can improve farm income to oilseed producers by crushing their oilseeds, refining the crude oil, packaging the refined oil and marketing it directly to the consumer. It is further believed that Georgia farmers can produce identity preserved oilseed products that fill market niches not currently being served by producing identified genetic varieties of soybeans, canola and peanuts. This project seeks to determine the feasibility of this premise.