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MISSOURI
ALTERNATIVES
CENTER

About MAC

MAC Partners

About Missouri Alternatives Center

Mission Statement

The Missouri Alternatives Center's mission is to provide Missourians with timely information about alternative agricultural opportunities, to evaluate diverse enterprises, improve management decisions, increase economic returns and enhance the quality of their lives.

Pinpointing the answers you need
There has never been greater diversity in the types of farms and people engaged in alternative agriculture ventures in Missouri. If you are part of this group of innovators, you know that you are also in the midst of an information explosion. Yet, like the 'Ancient Mariner,' surrounded by water but with nothing to drink, you might find yourself drowning in information but unable to put your finger on exactly what you need to answer your specific questions.

The Missouri Alternatives Center is here to sort through the masses of information and point you in the right direction. At MAC, we work to improve your profitability and , at the same time, maintain the agricultural base needed to sustain rural communities, by giving you access to the information you need. At the Missouri Alternatives Center we serve as a communications center for Missouri farmers, Extension staff, government personal and people who want to begin farming, diversify their current operation, or find ways to profit from small amounts of acreage. The center has answered more than 55,000 information requests on approximately 2,800 topics since opening in 1989, including:

  • Aquaculture - catfish, bait fish, trout
  • fruits and vegetables
  • sheep, goats and rabbits
  • exotic livestock - ostriches, llamas, alpacas, elk
  • niche marketing, farmers markets, direct-to-consumer marketing, U-pick
  • chickens and game birds - quail, pheasant
  • organic farming and certification
  • herbs - medicinal and culinary
  • beginning farming

    The MAC Linklist
    From agri-tourism to verimculture, the MAC LinkList covers hundreds of alternative agriculture topics. We have compiled a list of links to Extension Guide Sheets from some of the top university research centers in the world. Simply by clicking on the links, you have immediate access to unbiased, research based information on exactly the topic you're looking for.
    agebb.missouri.edu/mac/links

    Check out our MAC Resources on Reserve
    In an effort to further increase your access to information, we now have printed resources on reserve.

    Currently we have videos, books, audio tapes, and some research based information available for your use. These resources - many of which are first hand accounts of successful ventures in alternative agriculture - offer useful information to supplement the more traditional, research-based information available. Check out the MAC Web site to see the vast amount of publications available: agebb.missouri.edu/mac/library/

    Ag Opportunities Newsletter
    Ag Opportunities, the bimonthly newsletter of the Missouri Alternatives Center, keeps you up to date with news alternative opportunities, resources and a calendar of events. Free to Missouri residents. Call for your free subscription, or find Ag Opportunities on the MAC web site.

    Contact us:
    Call: 1-800-433-3704 (Missouri Only)
    In Columbia, call (573) 882-1905
    Fax: (573) 884-4336
    Email: kellyd@missouri.edu

    Visit us on Campus:
    University of Missouri
    3 Whitten Hall
    Columbia, MO 65211


    University Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs.