Infographic: SUSTA MAP Branded Program from Start to Finish

The MAP Branded Program can seem confusing to those who have never participated before. There are many steps involved in the application alone, and more steps to follow once you are accepted. However, the program's benefits and funding far outweigh the initial confusion. Don't be overwhelmed by the process, instead, refer to this infographic to help you stay on target and reap the benefits of being a MAP Branded Program participant. This infographic explains the program from start to finish.

For more details, visit SUSTA's MAP Branded Process page.

Jerry Hingle on Exporting for Small Farmers

Our Executive Director, Jerry Hingle, was featured on TradingCharts.com in an interview about the difficulties farmers face when finding the right foreign market for their product. For many small farmers in the south, resources are limited, and the thought of exporting their goods to an unknown foreign market is intimidating. That's when Jerry Hingle proposes seeking SUSTA's help.

"Arkansas is in the middle of a "golden era" of agricultural exports, as its producers are finding markets throughout the world for products such as rice, poultry and cotton, as well as value-added products like sauces and condiments. He said the state has seen a 60 percent increase in exports over the past five years."

Mr. Hingle goes on to explain that China is the top export market for Arkansas:

"'They like our food,' he said, adding the regulations under which food is prepared and imported are more strict than those in place in China, resulting in a higher quality product. 'U.S. food is considered safe and is in demand.' He expects that demand to increase as China's middle class advances."

Read more from the article to learn about the benefits of exporting your small business at: Jerry Hingle on TradingCharts.com