{
  "meta": {
    "title": "Sheppard Grain Specialty Oils",
    "as_of": "2026-09-30",
    "prepared_for": "Sheppard project group",
    "prepared_by": "Mathew Keegan | Keegan Commodities"
  },
  "intro": "<p><strong>Prepared for the Sheppard project group</strong><br />\n<strong>Mathew Keegan | Keegan Commodities</strong><br />\n<strong>September 30, 2026</strong></p>\n<p>This report brings together the strategy, research, supplier and customer development, processing assessment, financial framework, outreach, and execution planning completed for the Phelps specialty-oils opportunity. The accompanying attachments contain the underlying presentations, reports, editable financial models, trackers, maps, management materials, and earlier versions.</p>\n<p>The recommendation is to continue evaluating grapeseed and pumpkin seed oil as the first opportunities, assess squash separately, and use the Cornell hemp discussion to determine whether hemp merits a separate commercial program. Supplier, customer, technical, and financial work should proceed together. A production launch, permanent specialty-oil team, or significant capital commitment needs a stronger commercial foundation than the current research provides.</p>\n<p>The research has identified credible places to start. It has not yet established contracted seed supply, buyer-approved oil, attainable annual sales, measured Phelps processing performance, or a quoted finishing arrangement. Those are the next deliverables.</p><p class=\"edition-note\">Web edition: the complete report text is available here. The supporting attachment package was not supplied; see the attachment index for coverage.</p>",
  "sections": [
    {
      "number": 1,
      "title": "Purpose and strategic direction",
      "slug": "purpose",
      "label": "Purpose & direction",
      "html": "<p>The purpose is to identify a profitable, repeatable use for Sheppard's existing assets as the domestic organic soybean meal business has become more difficult. Phelps brings pressing equipment, storage, trucking, agricultural relationships, and experience handling identity-sensitive commodities. The specialty-oils work asks whether those assets can support a higher-margin business serving food, personal-care, cosmetic, and nutritional-ingredient customers.</p>\n<p>The sourcing focus is crop grown primarily within approximately 300 to 500 miles of Phelps, including suitable Canadian supply. A distributor's address does not establish crop origin. Each supply proposal needs the originating farm or processor, dispatch location, actual road route, and delivered economics. The base business should not depend on overseas-grown seed routed through a domestic distributor.</p>\n<p>The oil needs to support the economics. Cake, meal, flour, or another residue may add value once its use, specifications, and customer are established. Until then, it receives no sales credit and carries a handling or disposal cost. Existing soybean meal relationships do not automatically qualify a different crop's residue for the same use.</p>\n<p>The approximately <strong>40,000 short tons of annual soybean-meal capacity</strong> discussed in the project is a scale reference. It is not a demonstrated specialty-seed throughput rate. Specialty-oil capacity will depend on preparation, crop-specific configuration, repeat passes, cleanup, storage, finishing, and buyer acceptance.</p>\n<p>The commercial unit of analysis is a specific combination:</p>\n<p><strong>A defined regional material, a precise oil grade, a named buyer route, a workable process, and economics at attainable annual volume.</strong></p>\n<p>A supplier list and a customer list are useful starting points. The next phase must connect them.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 2,
      "title": "Work completed and current status",
      "slug": "status",
      "label": "Work & current status",
      "html": "<p>The work product includes an independent regional specialty-oils assessment; successive executive presentations and strategy comparisons; crop-yield and financial models; regional source maps and addresses; a project baseline; a 90-day roadmap; field-visit plans; supplier and customer pipelines; outreach drafts; a matched-opportunity register; and a parallel validation and resourcing plan.</p>\n<p>The progression has been from broad strategic alternatives toward specific source-to-customer opportunities. Earlier materials considered a wider portfolio and more feed-oriented economics. The current direction emphasizes oil-led returns, regional supply, actual buyer requirements, and full preparation and finishing costs.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Workstream</th>\n<th>Established in the project record</th>\n<th>Still required</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Regional supply</td>\n<td>Named grape processors, prepared-seed leads, and an established local pumpkin/squash network</td>\n<td>Available tons after existing commitments, crop identity, preparation losses, delivered offers, and representative samples</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Customers</td>\n<td>Bulk distributors, oil processors, culinary channels, supplement businesses, and personal-care prospects</td>\n<td>Specifications, attainable new-supplier allocation, price basis, sample approval, and recurring orders</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Processing</td>\n<td>Existing Sheppard assets reported by management; a published Insta-Pro grapeseed precedent</td>\n<td>Installed equipment inventory, crop-specific configuration, measured recovery, throughput, quality, and required modifications</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Finishing</td>\n<td>Crude-sale, toll-finished, and direct specialty-oil routes defined; potential processors identified</td>\n<td>Crop acceptance, inlet requirements, minimum runs, costs, losses, timing, and capacity</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Economics</td>\n<td>Retained screening yields, wet-pomace mass balance, campaign and annual models</td>\n<td>Quoted inputs, measured performance, supported sales volume, working capital, and investment case</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Execution</td>\n<td>Draft outreach, trackers, work plans, and proposed responsibilities</td>\n<td>Named accountable lead, approved discovery budget, assigned owners, and updated milestones</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell</td>\n<td>Direct engagement and two October 1 virtual discussions scheduled</td>\n<td>Meeting outcomes, appropriate technical scope, sample requirements, fees, and written next steps</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Key correspondence and changes</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Date</th>\n<th>Development</th>\n<th>Effect on the project</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>September 9</td>\n<td>Management background materials circulated</td>\n<td>Established the existing-business and asset context</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 11</td>\n<td>Project baseline consolidated</td>\n<td>Preserved regional sourcing, oil-led economics, and annual scale tests</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 15</td>\n<td>Grapeseed/pumpkin supply-and-demand memo circulated; Doug discussed moving ahead with the Commercial Director search</td>\n<td>Added supply-scale questions and a separate staffing decision</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 16</td>\n<td>Alberto proposed a $1 million EBITDA and under-two-year-payback hurdle for new products</td>\n<td>Created a financial policy question that still needs a precise scope</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 18–19</td>\n<td>Parallel validation work developed; Alberto relayed Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil sourcing difficulties; Doug requested a former-salesperson interview</td>\n<td>Focused the work on supply, buyer requirements, operating history, and resourcing</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 22</td>\n<td>Corwin provided Chang Chen and Bruno Xavier contacts</td>\n<td>Added direct Cornell technical routes</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 23 and 25</td>\n<td>Doug contacted Cornell and followed up</td>\n<td>Cornell outreach moved beyond a draft</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 28</td>\n<td>Bruno Xavier introduced Derek Simmonds</td>\n<td>Established a coordination route for technical discussions</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 29</td>\n<td>Doug postponed the trip and requested virtual meetings</td>\n<td>Superseded the September 30–October 3 field itinerary</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>September 29–30</td>\n<td>October 1 meeting invitations were updated for Zoom</td>\n<td>Established the current oil-extruder and hemp meeting schedule</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>Commercial prospect statuses in the attached September trackers remain historical snapshots. The confirmed Cornell correspondence updates their earlier “not contacted” entries. The record does not establish that the other draft outreach was sent or that supplier and buyer commitments were obtained.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 3,
      "title": "Products and commercial priorities",
      "slug": "products",
      "label": "Product priorities",
      "html": "<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Product</th>\n<th>Current role</th>\n<th>Main question before advancing</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grapeseed</td>\n<td>Lead opportunity</td>\n<td>Can a consistent regional seed stream produce a buyer-accepted oil at a competitive full cost and meaningful annual volume?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hull-less pumpkin seed</td>\n<td>Lead opportunity</td>\n<td>Is there incremental supply or acreage at a price that works for oil after accounting for snack-market competition and existing commitments?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Squash seed</td>\n<td>Separate opportunity alongside pumpkin</td>\n<td>What usable seed can be recovered, how must it be prepared, and what yield and oil grade can it deliver?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hemp grain</td>\n<td>Focused Cornell and commercial screen</td>\n<td>Is there an executable regional grain program and a buyer specification that justifies processing trials?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Flax</td>\n<td>Secondary candidate</td>\n<td>Can a buyer-supported regional program meet quality, stability, storage, and economic requirements?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>High-oleic sunflower</td>\n<td>Conditional volume candidate</td>\n<td>Is there a specific customer and contracted source that supports a differentiated program?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cranberry and other berry seeds</td>\n<td>Longer-term development</td>\n<td>Can an integrated processor offer appropriate seed or a partnership at viable economics?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Soybean, canola, camelina</td>\n<td>Comparator or reserve cases</td>\n<td>Does a specific opportunity meet the project objectives without relying on unsupported premiums or residue values?</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Grapeseed</h3>\n<p>Grape processing in the Finger Lakes and Lake Erie regions creates identifiable seed-bearing streams. Growers' Cooperative publicly offers grape seeds and pressed pomace. Welch's North East plant, Hazlitt/East Coast Crush, Fulkerson, Royal Grapeseed, and the historical Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil network provide different routes to explore.</p>\n<p>Prepared, clean, dry seed and wet pomace are different purchases. Wet material requires separation, stabilization, drying, storage, and rejection handling before it becomes useful press feed. The comparison must include the full delivered cost of prepared seed, regardless of whether Sheppard buys it ready to process or recovers it from pomace.</p>\n<p>Botanical identity belongs in the first buyer conversation. Regional Concord/Niagara material should not be assumed interchangeable with the identity or specification used by a buyer of other grapeseed oils. The supplier's material and the buyer's accepted identity need to match before a trial is designed.</p>\n<p>Alberto relayed that Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil encountered seed-sourcing problems despite reported demand. That is an operating-history lead, not an audited account of the business. Doug's requested interview with the former salesperson should be paired with an interview about procurement, separation, drying, and storage. The useful outcome is an understanding of actual volumes, costs, customers, process performance, and limiting factors.</p>\n<h3>Pumpkin and squash</h3>\n<p>Stony Brook WholeHeartedFoods and Martin Farms provide the clearest local starting point. Their relationship demonstrates a regional processing and grower model. It does not demonstrate seed available to Sheppard. The first discussion should explore incremental acreage, uncommitted prepared seed, contract pressing, logistics support, or a jointly developed customer program.</p>\n<p>Pumpkin seed has competing uses, including snacks. Seed suitable for oil cannot be assumed to be a low-cost byproduct. Off-grade material also needs to be defined: a cosmetic defect or sizing issue is different from a safety or stability problem.</p>\n<p>Squash remains a separate material and yield case. Earlier models sometimes grouped it with pumpkin; the current assessment requires its own measured recovery, drying cost, oil yield, quality, and customer response.</p>\n<h3>Other oils</h3>\n<p>Hemp has a dedicated Cornell discussion and should receive a focused supply-and-customer screen. Flax and high-oleic sunflower remain useful alternatives where a buyer's requirements support the work. Cranberry is best approached through an established processor such as Fruit d'Or rather than assuming a readily available bulk seed stream. Existing operators can be competitors, sources of experience, or possible partners; their supply is not automatically available.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 4,
      "title": "Regional supply development",
      "slug": "supply",
      "label": "Regional supply",
      "html": "<p>The supplier register below carries forward the named sources in the execution tracker. These are leads and relationships to qualify. No uncommitted annual tonnage or delivered commercial price is established in the record.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-1\">Growers Cooperative Grape Juice</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Westfield, NY; Concord grape seed + pomace.</p>\n<p>Published offering of grape seeds and pressed pomace provides a direct commercial starting point. The project identifies 112 N Portage Street, Westfield, NY 14787.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Request separate dry-seed and wet-pomace offers, annual quantities after commitments, moisture, current use, price, and samples.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Cailin Kowalewski: cailin@concordgrapejuice.com; 716-326-3161. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://concordgrapejuice.com/grape-juices-and-concentrates/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-2\">Welch Foods</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> North East, PA; Concord + Niagara byproduct.</p>\n<p>The project research identifies seeded Concord/Niagara processing and a North East facility at 139 S Lake Street, North East, PA 16428. Actual byproduct disposition remains unknown.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Reach the plant operations or byproduct manager. Obtain intake by variety, material flows, seed separation, ownership, current contracts, seasonal quantity, and a sample path.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 1-800-340-6870 or corporate inquiry; request North East operations/byproduct manager. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://welchs.com/b2b/our-grapes/meet-the-mighty-concord\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-3\">Stony Brook WholeHeartedFoods</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Geneva, NY; Pumpkin, squash, flax, hemp, sunflower.</p>\n<p>An established Geneva specialty-oil operator with named regional farm relationships; the project address is 500 Technology Farm Drive, Geneva, NY 14456. Existing programs may already use available seed.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Explore incremental acreage, toll work, logistics, grower introductions, and joint customer opportunities. Establish supply rights and avoid counting its existing seed as available to Sheppard.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> info@wholeheartedfoods.com; 877-292-8369. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-4\">Martin Farms</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Brockport, NY; Pumpkin + squash seed.</p>\n<p>Named by Stony Brook as its pumpkin/squash source. The project address is 4021 Redman Road, Brockport, NY 14420.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Separate pumpkin and squash quantities, varieties, preparation costs, snack/oil grades, current commitments, and realistic expansion acreage.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> info@martinfarms.com; 585-637-3636. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.martinfarms.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-5\">Steve Sheppard historical seed-drying contact</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Finger Lakes / TBD; Winery grape seed.</p>\n<p>An email-derived historical lead involving winery seed dried for an outside buyer. The operator and current activity are not established.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Obtain an introduction and interview the operator about sources, seasonal volumes, drying economics, customers, and practical constraints.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request the historical introduction through the Sheppard team; direct contact not established. Source: project correspondence.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-6\">Hazlitt / East Coast Crush</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Naples, NY; Grape pomace / seed.</p>\n<p>Naples processing/co-packing lead and part of the historical regional network. The project address is 1 Lake Niagara Lane, Naples, NY 14512.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Quantify actual crush, varieties, residue rights, seasonal handling, storage, and a feasible recovery arrangement.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Stephanie Jarvis: stephanie.jarvis@hazlitt1852.com; Naples 585-531-3117. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://hazlitt1852.com/locations/red-cat-cellars/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-7\">Fulkerson Winery &amp; Farm</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Dundee, NY; Grape pomace / seed.</p>\n<p>Dundee grape-juice and winery-processing lead at 5576 NY-14, Dundee, NY 14837.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Establish actual crush, varieties, seasonal residue, existing arrangements, collection requirements, and sample availability.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company contact route at fulkersonwinery.com. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.fulkersonwinery.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-8\">Finger Lakes Grapeseed Oil / Seneca BioEnergy</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Seneca / Romulus area; Grapeseed.</p>\n<p>Historical regional operating precedent in the Geneva/Romulus area. Current operations and asset availability are not established.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Interview former sales and operating personnel about customers, seed access, preparation, configuration, economics, and the reasons the business was constrained.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Historical routes: Christine Jeffries 508-868-4354; Michael Coia 315-781-7315. Reconfirm roles and availability. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://fingerlakesgrapeseedoil.com/products.php\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-9\">Cornell CLEREL</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Portland, NY; Regional grape intelligence.</p>\n<p>Research and extension introduction route at 6592 W Main Road, Portland, NY 14769. It is not a seed supplier.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Develop the processor/grower map and obtain introductions that can establish actual material flows.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 716-792-2800. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/lake-erie-regional-grape-program\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-10\">Penn State Lake Erie Grape Center</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> North East, PA; Concord/Niagara intelligence.</p>\n<p>Research route at 662 N Cemetery Road, North East, PA 16428. The earlier research connects its processing grapes with the Welch North East plant.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Validate regional varieties, processor flows, byproduct contacts, and suitable introductions.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 814-725-4601. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/erie/grape-non-grape-crops/grapes\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-11\">Royal Grapeseed</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Milton, NY contact / Finger Lakes claimed origin; Concord grape seed.</p>\n<p>Public prepared-seed lead associated with Milton, NY and claimed Finger Lakes-origin Concord seed. Research described cleaned, dried seed in one-ton crates.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Confirm botanical identity, true crop and dispatch location, annual uncommitted tons, moisture, remaining oil, sample, and delivered price.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company inquiry through royalgrapeseed.com; establish the dispatch site and farm origin. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.royalgrapeseed.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-12\">PM Farms via Stony Brook</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Penn Yan area; Flax + hemp.</p>\n<p>Named flax/hemp grower relationship in the Penn Yan area, with existing supply relationships.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Obtain an introduction and identify incremental cleaned-seed lots or acreage after current commitments.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request an introduction through Stony Brook. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-13\">Gianforte + Frederick Farms</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Central NY; Sunflower.</p>\n<p>Named central New York sunflower growers in Stony Brook research.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Pursue when a buyer supports the opportunity; confirm variety, oleic profile, origin, available quantity, and contract terms.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request a grower introduction through Stony Brook. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"supplier-14\">Fruit d'Or</h3>\n<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Quebec / MA; Cranberry seed.</p>\n<p>Integrated Quebec/Massachusetts cranberry processor that markets seed and oil products. It is a competitor and possible partner, not an assumed surplus-seed source.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Confirm processing-grade seed availability, oil remaining, farm origin, actual dispatch point, quantity, and make-versus-buy economics.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company ingredient/commercial inquiry through fruitdor.ca. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://fruitdor.ca/en/products/organic-dried-cranberry-seeds/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<p>Chang Chen and Bruno Xavier also appear in the supply tracker as technical resources. Their current contact details and engagement status are in Section 9; neither entry represents a seed-supply offer.</p>\n<h3>Additional regional leads retained from earlier research</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Lead</th>\n<th>Potential role</th>\n<th>Qualification needed</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grape Growers of Ontario</td>\n<td>Introductions to processing-grape growers and processors</td>\n<td>Identify the actual processing locations, seed ownership, collection density, crop identity, and border/freight costs</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ontario wineries and custom-crush operators, including Arterra and Andrew Peller leads named in the September 15 memo</td>\n<td>Potential additional grape stream</td>\n<td>Verify each facility, material, volume, commitments, and economic route; these are research suggestions</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils</td>\n<td>Regional sunflower grower/processor benchmark and possible partner</td>\n<td>Establish variety, scale, available seed, and interest in a specific arrangement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Finger Lakes Wine Flour</td>\n<td>Pomace-use experience and possible residue discussion</td>\n<td>Determine whether Sheppard's proposed residue fits an actual specification and use</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Other Ontario/Quebec oilseed contracts</td>\n<td>Future origination</td>\n<td>Verify farm origin, identity, crop timing, delivered price, and achievable annual quantity</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Information required from every source</h3>\n<p>Obtain the precise crop and variety, botanical identity where relevant, originating farm or processor, material form, moisture basis, annual quantity, seasonality, and quantity available after existing commitments. Request the current disposition and ownership of the material, whether seed is already separated, any previous oil extraction, preparation requirements, quality history, and a representative sample.</p>\n<p>A quote should state the unit, currency, moisture or grade adjustment, loading point, freight responsibility, minimum shipment, payment terms, validity, and rejection provisions. Record short tons, metric tonnes, pounds, wet material, dry solids, and prepared seed separately.</p>\n<p>For wet pomace, add the time between pressing and stabilization, storage method, available separation and drying capacity, fuel and labor requirements, clean-seed recovery, rejected material, and seasonal collection schedule. A low purchase price can be outweighed by moving and drying water.</p>\n<p>For contract acreage, obtain expected seed yield, crop and harvest costs, seed-cleaning arrangements, quality requirements, crop-risk allocation, and an executable contracting timetable. Count only incremental supply available to the proposed program.</p>\n<h3>Supply maps</h3>\n<p>The regional HTML maps, Google Earth KMZ, and address CSV are attached. They are planning tools for sourcing and route development. A point on a map is not a supply commitment, and a location within a radius is not a delivered-cost estimate. Confirm business addresses and appointments before routing a visit.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 5,
      "title": "Customer development",
      "slug": "customers",
      "label": "Customer development",
      "html": "<p>The initial customer list covers bulk oil distribution, refining and packing, food applications, supplements, and personal care. The first six commercial calls should establish what each prospect actually buys, what it would consider from a new supplier, and how an oil sample would be evaluated.</p>\n<h3>Sovena USA</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> Rome, NY; Grapeseed; refining / packing. A Rome, New York refining/packing and grapeseed-sourcing lead identified through earlier public trade research.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Establish annual purchasing, accepted botanical identity, crude versus refined requirements, bulk packaging, new-supplier allocation, and any finishing relationship.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 315-797-7070; imports@sovenausa.com retained from prior trade research, reconfirm routing. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.zauba.com/sovena-rome-ny-import-data-pe8w593os4j0\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Jedwards International</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> Braintree, MA; Grape + pumpkin + specialty oils. A bulk natural-oils distributor with grape and pumpkin categories and a supplier-application route. Published grades may differ from a regional mechanically pressed product.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Obtain grade and analytical specifications, recurring volume, minimum order, supplier netback, onboarding, and sample protocol.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Supplier Application at bulknaturaloils.com/contact-us; 617-472-9300. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://bulknaturaloils.com/contact-us\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Catania Oils</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> Ayer, MA; Grapeseed; bulk / foodservice / personal care. A bulk oil, foodservice, and personal-care channel with grapeseed offerings and packaging infrastructure.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Separate buying, toll-processing, and packing possibilities; confirm accepted incoming grade, annual demand, lot size, and terms.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Bulk Sales at cataniaoils.com/talk-to-sales; 978-772-7900. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.cataniaoils.com/talk-to-sales\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Piping Rock Health Products</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> NY; Pumpkin; supplement + consumer oil. Pumpkin-oil supplement and consumer-product lead. Product offerings establish category relevance, not a Sheppard supply opportunity.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Reach ingredient sourcing and establish oil identity, organic/conventional requirements, annual pounds, quality specification, and approval process.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 800-544-1925; request Material Sourcing / Procurement. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://na.pipingrock.com/company/contact\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Sanmark LLC</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> NC; Pumpkin + broad specialty-oil portfolio. Specialty-oil sourcing/distribution lead identified from earlier portfolio and trade research.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Test interest in domestic supply by oil, actual annual demand, accepted grade, package, pricing basis, and technical qualification.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 336-235-0838; request specialty-oils sourcing. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.seair.co.in/us-import/product-seed-oil/i-sanmark-llc.aspx\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>New Directions Aromatics</h3>\n<p><strong>First-wave prospect:</strong> Ontario; Grapeseed + flax + hemp; cosmetic ingredients. Cosmetic carrier-oil distributor whose published refined/RBD offerings make grade and botanical identity important early questions.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Ask whether the proposed regional oil would qualify, including sensory, peroxide-value, stability, contaminant, packaging, and annual-volume requirements.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Wholesale Sales Inquiry; 1-800-246-7817. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/oils/carrier-oils/grapeseed-carrier-oil-rbd\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Pompeian</h3>\n<p><strong>Secondary prospect:</strong> Baltimore, MD; Grapeseed culinary. Culinary grapeseed and import-substitution research lead.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Ask whether a U.S.-origin supply could qualify against its accepted culinary grade, price basis, annual allocation, and approval process.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Strategic sourcing via the company inquiry route. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://pompeian.com/products/grapeseed-oil/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Twincraft Skincare</h3>\n<p><strong>Secondary prospect:</strong> Williston, VT; Personal-care contract manufacturer. Personal-care contract manufacturer and potential formulation-qualification route.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Ask R&amp;D which oils fit actual formulas and the required sensory, stability, use level, documentation, cost, and annual usage.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> R&amp;D or supplier inquiry through twincraft.com/contact-us. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.twincraft.com/contact-us\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Fuji Oil USA</h3>\n<p><strong>Secondary prospect:</strong> Savannah, GA; HO sunflower + organic soy; food oils. Higher-volume food-oil and refining-capability lead, including the earlier high-oleic sunflower/soy screen.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Determine any crude-oil purchasing or contract-processing fit, inlet specifications, minimum volumes, and relationship structure.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Commercial inquiry through fujioilusa.com. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.fujioilusa.com/our-processes/\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>NOW Foods</h3>\n<p><strong>Secondary prospect:</strong> Bloomingdale, IL; Pumpkin supplement. Pumpkin-oil supplement ingredient lead.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Reach procurement for oil specification, annual ingredient pounds, source requirements, sample protocol, and approval timetable.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Supplier/ingredient procurement inquiry through the company contact route. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.nowfoods.com/products/supplements/pumpkin-seed-oil-1000-mg-softgels\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Centra Foods</h3>\n<p><strong>Secondary prospect:</strong> National; Bulk oil distributor. Bulk oil distribution and market-intelligence route.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Establish which oils it seeks from domestic suppliers, actual volume, grade, package, delivered pricing, and onboarding.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> purchasing@centrafoods.com. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.centrafoods.com/contact-us\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>La Tourangelle</h3>\n<p><strong>Later-stage prospect:</strong> US / national; Pumpkin, grapeseed, flax, HO sunflower culinary. Specialty culinary-oil portfolio lead held for a later approach.</p>\n<p><strong>Qualification request:</strong> Discuss contract-supply interest after the proposed grade, flavor, available volume, and sample quality are defined.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Business development or contract-supply inquiry after grade and samples are defined. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://latourangelle.com/collections/all\">Research source</a>.</p>\n<h3>Additional channels retained from earlier work</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Prospect or channel</th>\n<th>Relevance</th>\n<th>First commercial test</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Praan Naturals / Natural Sourcing</td>\n<td>Natural cosmetic ingredients</td>\n<td>Obtain oil specifications, supplier qualification, sample requirements, and recurring volume</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Plant's Power, Ontario</td>\n<td>Botanical and carrier-oil distribution</td>\n<td>Ask about Canadian/regional origin, oil grade, lot size, and procurement requirements</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Van Buren Bay Skin Care</td>\n<td>Historical regional grapeseed use</td>\n<td>Revalidate the business and current formulation; the earlier precedent is not current demand</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stony Brook and specialty culinary distributors</td>\n<td>Pumpkin/squash and selected regional culinary oils</td>\n<td>Explore incremental bulk or customer programs with clear supply rights</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Shay &amp; Company, Bulk Apothecary, Styrian Gold, and Nutrika</td>\n<td>Additional leads named in the September 15 memo</td>\n<td>Verify the relevant legal entity, actual product purchases, specifications, and sourcing contact</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Healthy Brand Oil and Harvest Commodities</td>\n<td>Earlier broader oil-channel research</td>\n<td>Confirm product fit and the buyer's role before adding to the active pipeline</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Qualified cake, powder, or ingredient users</td>\n<td>Optional residue value</td>\n<td>Establish intended use, product eligibility, testing, accepted volume, and a firm net price separately</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Buyer qualification</h3>\n<p>Ask for the oil's exact identity and grade, including crude, filtered, refined, deodorized, toasted, conventional, or organic requirements. Determine the purchasing site, annual pounds, usual lot size, packaging, origin requirements, analytical specification, shelf-life expectation, and documentation.</p>\n<p>The commercially useful volume is the share a new supplier could realistically win, after qualification and within an agreed period. A prospect's total usage is not Sheppard's attainable volume. Avoid counting the same demand through both a distributor and its end customer.</p>\n<p>Request a written sample protocol, evaluation contact, approval timetable, target price basis, and route for a paid trial order. Compare prices on the same grade, package, delivered location, and payment terms. Retail bottle prices and public market-revenue estimates do not establish a bulk processor netback.</p>\n<p>Each conversation should end with a concrete next step: a specification, volume range, pricing indication, sample request, technical introduction, or a reason to close the opportunity.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 6,
      "title": "Plant, process, and finishing assessment",
      "slug": "processing",
      "label": "Plant & finishing",
      "html": "<h3>Reported Phelps asset base</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Asset or operating feature</th>\n<th>Management-reported information</th>\n<th>Required confirmation</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Extruder-expeller plant</td>\n<td>Four lines</td>\n<td>OEM/model numbers, configuration, condition, crop capability, usable hours, and shared equipment</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Storage</td>\n<td>More than 700,000 bushels</td>\n<td>Bin condition, actual free capacity, segregation, aeration, and crop-specific handling</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Roaster</td>\n<td>400 tons/day</td>\n<td>Product suitability, temperature and residence-time control, drying capability, and required validation</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Trucking</td>\n<td>Ten operating trucks with hoppers, dumps, and oil tankers</td>\n<td>Available vehicles, prior loads, cleaning, suitable containers, payload, and cost</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rail and controls</td>\n<td>Rail siding and computerized process controls</td>\n<td>Current service, condition, instrumentation, and lot tracking</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Existing oil handling</td>\n<td>Management describes bulk oil handling and cleaning</td>\n<td>Actual filtration, tankage, materials, sanitation, sampling, and filling capabilities</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>These are reported assets, not an engineering assessment. Management documents contain conflicting production figures, including 860,000 pounds of soybean oil per week and a 16.5% soybean-oil assumption. They should be reconciled with operating records before being used to size a specialty-oil program. The retained soybean screen remains 12% oil and 82% meal.</p>\n<h3>Processing route and trials</h3>\n<p>Insta-Pro has documented commercial grapeseed processing at Natural Selection Farms. Its described route includes pressing, extrusion, and additional pressing. This supports an equipment-family precedent. It does not establish Sheppard's yield, throughput, configuration, finished quality, or required investment.</p>\n<p>The plant review should follow the complete material path: receiving, cleaning, separation where required, drying or conditioning, conveying, extrusion/pressing, oil clarification, filtration, storage, finishing, packaging, and residue disposition. Shared soybean equipment and handling paths need to be included in the quality and changeover review.</p>\n<p>For each selected material, ask Insta-Pro to review the exact shafts, cages, shims, wear parts, operating settings, feed preparation, number of passes, expected constraints, and trial quantity. Determine what can be tested at Phelps, what needs an outside pilot facility, and the cost and timing of each option.</p>\n<p>A trial should measure input and output weights, moisture, oil recovery, losses, actual line time, downtime, energy, labor, temperature history, filtration performance, residue condition, and changeover requirements. Analyze the resulting oil against the intended buyer specification. A high oil recovery that produces an unacceptable grade is not a successful commercial result.</p>\n<h3>Three routes to a saleable oil</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Route</th>\n<th>Commercial structure</th>\n<th>Costs and conditions to establish</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Crude or filtered oil sale</td>\n<td>Sheppard sells an agreed intermediate oil to a qualified downstream buyer</td>\n<td>Buyer inlet specification, actual crude price, lot size, testing, freight, rejection terms, and payment timing</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Toll-finished oil</td>\n<td>Sheppard retains ownership and pays a processor to finish the oil</td>\n<td>Toll fee, minimum run, setup, losses, freight in both directions, packaging, inventory time, and finished-oil buyer</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Direct specialty-oil sale</td>\n<td>Sheppard sells an accepted natural, filtered, or other defined specialty grade</td>\n<td>Reproducible quality, process and handling requirements, approved sample, storage, packaging, and recurring customer demand</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>Cosmetic and culinary customers may require different sensory characteristics and processing routes. A cosmetic application does not automatically eliminate refining. A direct specialty-oil route does not automatically require a full in-house refinery. Scope the process around the product and its actual intended use.</p>\n<h3>Technical and finishing contacts</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Contact</th>\n<th>Route</th>\n<th>Requested outcome</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Insta-Pro International</td>\n<td>Corporate 515-254-1260; historical regional routes Robert Ballard 716-225-9620 and Dan Sturzenbecker 716-664-0348</td>\n<td>Installed-equipment review, crop-specific trial plan, cost, sample size, and timing</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>American Natural Processors</td>\n<td>sales@americannaturalprocessors.com; 605-242-6074</td>\n<td>Confirm grape/pumpkin acceptance, inlet specifications, minimum run, toll/setup charges, losses, turnaround, and packaging</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>AAK Port Newark</td>\n<td>betterwithaak@aak.com; 973-344-1300, retained contact route</td>\n<td>Establish whether third-party specialty-oil tolling is actually offered</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fuji Oil USA</td>\n<td>Commercial inquiry through its company website</td>\n<td>Establish crude-oil buying or processing fit; published refining capability alone is not a tolling agreement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell AgriTech / Food Venture Center</td>\n<td>Chang Chen and Bruno Xavier contacts below</td>\n<td>Material recovery, sample preparation, appropriate technical review, pilot resources, or specialist referrals</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>American Natural Processors is outside the core feedstock region. It is a potential finishing service, so the comparison must include freight and inventory costs. AAK, Fuji, Sovena, and Catania may have relevant capabilities, but none is established as an available toll partner for this project.</p>\n<h3>Quality and product documentation</h3>\n<p>Define the intended use before specifying upgrades. Obtain a qualified review of applicable site, process, labeling, transport, and product requirements for each proposed route. The technical scope should cover identity and traceability, contamination risks, shared equipment, storage stability, sampling, analytical methods, and buyer-required documentation.</p>\n<p>Potential analytical requirements include fatty-acid profile, free fatty acids, peroxide value, moisture, impurities, color, odor, and contaminants relevant to the source and intended use. The actual panel and acceptance limits should come from the buyer and technical reviewer. Claims such as organic, cold-pressed, soy-free, or specific health benefits require an appropriate basis; they are not assumed features of the installed plant.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 7,
      "title": "Financial framework and retained assumptions",
      "slug": "financial",
      "label": "Financial framework",
      "html": "<h3>Retained crop-yield screen</h3>\n<p>The values below are planning assumptions from the existing project models, measured as oil pounds divided by conditioned press-feed pounds. They are not Sheppard trial results. One short ton equals 2,000 pounds.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Material and feed basis</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Low</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Base</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">High</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Base oil lb per short ton</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grapeseed, separated clean dry seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">6.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">7.6%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">10.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">152</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hull-less pumpkin, cleaned dry seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">14.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">20.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">26.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">400</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hemp, cleaned conditioned grain</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">18.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">21.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">24.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">420</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Flax, clean conditioned seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">26.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">29.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">33.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">580</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>High-oleic sunflower, whole seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">30.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">34.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">39.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">680</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>High-oleic sunflower, partially dehulled feed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">34.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">37.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">40.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">740</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Soybean, whole conditioned beans</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">11.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">12.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">13.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">240</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Camelina, clean conditioned seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">22.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">26.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">31.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">520</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Canola, clean conditioned seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">32.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">35.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">39.0%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">700</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Squash seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cranberry/berry seed</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">To measure</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>The partially dehulled sunflower screen begins after hull removal. Hull loss and dehulling cost are upstream. The soybean reference carries 82% meal and a 6% balancing remainder; it is not a measured breakdown of all process losses. Other model residue percentages similarly describe mass balance, not qualified saleable meal.</p>\n<p>The older <code>02_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Research_and_Model.xlsx</code> contains a 20% squash yield copied alongside pumpkin. That value remains in the preserved attachment as part of its history. The current project treatment requires a separate measured squash case, consistent with the regional model's blank squash inputs.</p>\n<h3>Wet-pomace illustration</h3>\n<p>The purpose of this retained illustration is to show why wet pomace cannot be valued as dry grape seed. All recovery factors below are assumptions, not supplier quotations or measurements.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Step</th>\n<th>Calculation</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Result</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Wet pomace received</td>\n<td>100 short tons × 2,000 lb</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">200,000 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dry solids at 60% incoming moisture</td>\n<td>200,000 × 40%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">80,000 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Seed at 20% of dry solids</td>\n<td>80,000 × 20%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">16,000 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Captured seed at 85% separation recovery</td>\n<td>16,000 × 85%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">13,600 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Clean seed at 95% cleaning retention</td>\n<td>13,600 × 95%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">12,920 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Prepared seed</td>\n<td>12,920 ÷ 2,000</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">6.46 short tons</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Oil at the 7.6% dry-seed screen</td>\n<td>12,920 × 7.6%</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">981.92 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Oil per wet short ton received</td>\n<td>981.92 ÷ 100</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">9.82 lb</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Illustrative gallons at 7.7 lb/gallon</td>\n<td>981.92 ÷ 7.7</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">127.52 gallons</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>This calculation assumes no additional finishing or acceptance loss. It excludes the unquoted costs of buying or collecting pomace, separation, drying, cleaning, storage, pressing, testing, finishing, packaging, delivery, and residue handling. Its result is a physical illustration, not a profit forecast.</p>\n<h3>Annual scale tests</h3>\n<p>The earlier 2, 5, and 10 million pounds of oil scenarios are scale tests. They are neither sales targets approved by the group nor evidence of demand or regional supply.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Annual oil volume</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Dry grapeseed required at 7.6%</th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Dry hull-less pumpkin seed required at 20%</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">2 million lb</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">13,158 short tons</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">5,000 short tons</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">5 million lb</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">32,895 short tons</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">12,500 short tons</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">10 million lb</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">65,789 short tons</td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">25,000 short tons</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>These figures assume all screened oil is accepted and saleable. Additional finishing loss, rejected lots, or inventory would increase required input. A small specialty campaign may be profitable without supporting a large share of Phelps' fixed obligations; both questions need to be answered.</p>\n<h3>Campaign economics</h3>\n<p>Start with the exact purchased material and avoid charging preparation twice. If the delivered prepared-seed price already includes drying, cleaning, shrink, and inbound freight, those items should not also be added as separate upstream costs.</p>\n<p>The model requires seed purchase, preparation, pressing, labor, energy, setup and cleanup, testing, finishing, storage, packaging, freight, selling costs, and unplaced-residue handling. Record a cost as zero only when it has been confirmed not to apply or is explicitly included elsewhere.</p>\n<p>Use these calculations consistently:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Produced oil:</strong> conditioned feed pounds × measured oil recovery × subsequent finishing recovery.</li>\n<li><strong>Revenue quantity:</strong> oil accepted and committed for sale on the relevant commercial basis. Uncommitted inventory is recorded separately.</li>\n<li><strong>Oil-only contribution:</strong> oil sales revenue less all variable campaign costs.</li>\n<li><strong>Contribution with qualified residues:</strong> oil-only contribution plus separately supported net residue proceeds.</li>\n<li><strong>Contribution per feed ton:</strong> campaign contribution divided by conditioned-feed tons.</li>\n<li><strong>Contribution per line hour:</strong> campaign contribution divided by all attributable line hours, including setup, repeat passes, and cleanup.</li>\n<li><strong>Break-even oil price:</strong> the cost that must be recovered from oil divided by the saleable pounds used in that case. State whether full sell-through is assumed.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Monetary inputs remain open until supported by quotes, company records, or trials. The attached earlier discussion PDFs contain hypothetical commercial scenarios; they are not the basis for an investment recommendation.</p>\n<h3>Annual economics, cash, and the investment hurdle</h3>\n<p>Annual saleable volume is constrained by prepared-seed supply, attainable customer purchases, processing hours, finishing availability, and storage. Shared materials, customers, and equipment cannot be counted twice across products.</p>\n<p>Annual contribution is the sum of commercially supported campaign contributions. Deduct incremental operating overhead to estimate incremental EBITDA, then reconcile the overall business with retained site costs. Cash coverage must separately include relevant debt or lease payments, sustaining capital, working-capital movements, and other cash obligations. Contribution, EBITDA, and cash available for payback are different measures.</p>\n<p>Seasonal seed procurement can create a substantial cash requirement before oil is sold. Model the timing of deposits, harvest purchases, preparation, tolling, inventory, shipping, customer payment, and rejected lots. Identify peak funding, not just the year's net margin.</p>\n<p>Alberto's September 16 proposal was <strong>$1 million of EBITDA and payback in under two years for any new product</strong>. Later discussion considered whether that hurdle should apply per product, per major line, or to the portfolio. The record does not establish an approved reinterpretation. Management should settle that scope before opportunities are scored against it.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 8,
      "title": "Management plans and matters to reconcile",
      "slug": "management",
      "label": "Management plans",
      "html": "<p>The management materials and independent project work share the objective of improving returns from existing assets. They approach product selection and commercialization differently. Both are included so the group can compare them directly.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Topic</th>\n<th>Management material</th>\n<th>Current independent project direction</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Initial oils</td>\n<td>September 5 plan emphasizes organic/high-oleic soy, sunflower, and canola</td>\n<td>Lead with grape and pumpkin validation, separate squash, and screen other oils against specific opportunities</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Supply strategy</td>\n<td>Regional contracting and use of existing grower and logistics assets</td>\n<td>Same regional emphasis, with source-specific evidence and no assumed uncommitted supply</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Residues</td>\n<td>Existing feed channels support the broader meal outlet thesis</td>\n<td>Qualify each residue separately and carry no unsupported premium or outlet</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Plant conversion</td>\n<td>Staged food-oil handling and potential later refinery</td>\n<td>Scope modifications to the selected material, buyer grade, and viable processing route</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Commercial economics</td>\n<td>Benchmark prices, broad market estimates, and illustrative margins/capital ranges</td>\n<td>Use actual buyer indications, supplier offers, trials, full costs, and attainable annual sales</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>People</td>\n<td>Dedicated food-ingredient sales, quality, and origination capabilities envisaged</td>\n<td>Use a named discovery lead and scoped specialists first; justify permanent roles against the business case</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Existing-business context from the March strategic plan</h3>\n<p>The March 2026 strategic plan set company goals of $3 million annual EBITDA within three years, capital payback within three years, diversification, and management transition. It described high-oleic roasted soybeans and the DeLong relationship as an existing-business earnings foundation, and Phelps Bypass Meal as a more limited margin opportunity. Its stated operating cases included 30,000 tons per year of roasting and 32,000 tons per year of Phelps Bypass Meal, with proposed milestones through 2026.</p>\n<p>Those figures and deadlines are management planning statements. This package does not establish their actual completion, realized earnings, or present contract performance. They are relevant because a specialty-oil decision must be evaluated alongside the existing business and the management succession need.</p>\n<h3>September 15 grape and pumpkin memo</h3>\n<p>The supply-and-demand memo raised a useful scale concern: specialty seed availability may be much smaller than the existing plant's theoretical capacity. It suggested a grape program of 1,000–3,000 tons of dry seed and a pumpkin program built through additional acreage, then argued that a larger-volume oil might be needed as an anchor. Those remain hypotheses to validate with processors, growers, and buyers.</p>\n<p>Several numerical statements require reconciliation before they are reused:</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Item</th>\n<th>Issue</th>\n<th>Treatment for current decisions</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Regional grape crop and recoverable seed estimates</td>\n<td>Aggregate crop volume does not establish uncommitted, collectable, clean seed</td>\n<td>Replace with source-by-source prepared-tonnage offers</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Grape oil from 1,000–3,000 short tons</td>\n<td>At the retained 7.6% yield, the range is 152,000–456,000 lb before further loss</td>\n<td>Arithmetic is consistent with the memo's approximate 150,000–450,000 lb, but supply is not validated</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pumpkin oil from 100–500 short tons</td>\n<td>At 20%, the result is 40,000–200,000 lb, not the memo's 70,000–350,000 lb</td>\n<td>Resolve the seed basis and yield before adopting the projection</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>North American grape market value and pounds</td>\n<td>The memo's cited market revenue, price, and pound estimates do not reconcile on a common basis</td>\n<td>Obtain primary buyer volumes and define the market level being measured</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pumpkin market size</td>\n<td>The memo refers both to 4–5 million lb and to a market smaller than a 2-million-lb target</td>\n<td>Do not infer an attainable market share from those conflicting figures</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Equipment suitability and inexpensive preparation</td>\n<td>The memo's optimistic descriptions have not been established at Phelps</td>\n<td>Obtain engineering scope, preparation trials, and cost estimates</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>The September 5 management plan also contains illustrative capital phases and broad legal and certification statements. Those are preserved as background. The current program requires quotations and a qualified product-and-site review before using them as a budget or compliance plan.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 9,
      "title": "Cornell discussions and field work",
      "slug": "cornell",
      "label": "Cornell & field work",
      "html": "<h3>October 1 virtual meetings</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Discussion</th>\n<th>Eastern time</th>\n<th>Pacific time</th>\n<th>Purpose</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard Grain Oil Extruder Discussion</td>\n<td>2:00–2:30 PM</td>\n<td>11:00–11:30 AM</td>\n<td>Determine relevant equipment, trial resources, technical expertise, and next information required</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard Grain Hemp Discussion</td>\n<td>3:00–4:00 PM</td>\n<td>Noon–1:00 PM</td>\n<td>Assess regional hemp grain, technical resources, commercial fit, and a possible separate workstream</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>The oil-extruder invitation includes Derek Simmonds, Roger Morse, Mark Scoville, Alysia Ericsson, Melissa Hegarty, Doug, and Matt. The hemp invitation includes Larry Smart, Melissa Hegarty, Derek, Doug, and Matt. These are scheduled discussions, not completed findings. Use the calendar invitations for access details.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Cornell contact</th>\n<th>Contact information</th>\n<th>Project role</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Derek Simmonds</td>\n<td>dcs285@cornell.edu</td>\n<td>Initial coordination following Bruno Xavier's introduction</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dr. Chang Chen</td>\n<td>cc2774@cornell.edu; 315-787-2286</td>\n<td>Seed recovery, postharvest handling, drying, storage, and appropriate research referrals</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dr. Bruno Xavier</td>\n<td>bmx2@cornell.edu; 315-787-2280</td>\n<td>Product/process review scope and relevant Food Venture Center support or referrals</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dr. Larry Smart</td>\n<td>lbs33@cornell.edu</td>\n<td>Hemp discussion and regional research/supply context</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Oil-extruder agenda</h3>\n<p>Start with the project objective, priority materials, existing Phelps assets, and the three commercial routes. Ask which material and equipment information is needed to determine trial fit. Identify available pilot equipment, likely sample size, preparation requirements, analytical work, technical responsibilities, fees, and lead time. End with a named next step and the information needed to price it.</p>\n<p>Prepare an equipment inventory, a simple process flow, available material descriptions, known moisture/storage history, and any buyer specifications already obtained. Ask for a sample-handling protocol before sending material.</p>\n<h3>Hemp agenda</h3>\n<p>Ask about grain production in the practical sourcing area, suitable varieties and identity, current grain buyers, available prepared seed, conditioning, storage, oil quality, and processing experience. Determine whether the proposed ingredient and its intended use need a specialist review. Seek introductions to actual growers or processors and identify the buyer question that should be answered before a trial.</p>\n<h3>Field work after the postponed trip</h3>\n<p>The September 30–October 3 itinerary is superseded. Its site list remains useful for rescheduling: Phelps for the plant walkdown; Geneva for Stony Brook and technical discussions; Naples/Dundee for processor questions; Westfield/Portland/North East for the Lake Erie cluster; and Brockport for Martin Farms if a visit is justified.</p>\n<p>Use remote calls first to establish the purpose and required attendees. Visit where physical observation, sampling, or an operating discussion will resolve a specific question. Confirm the key industrial meetings before committing travel. The old itinerary's flight details, dates, and proposed appointments are not the current plan.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 10,
      "title": "Execution, responsibilities, and decisions",
      "slug": "execution",
      "label": "Execution & decisions",
      "html": "<h3>Proposed organization</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Function</th>\n<th>Proposed arrangement</th>\n<th>Accountable output</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Executive sponsor</td>\n<td>Doug or an explicitly appointed executive</td>\n<td>Scope, budget, investment rule, partner decisions, and appointment of the project lead</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Project/commercial lead</td>\n<td>Named internal person with protected time, or a short fractional engagement</td>\n<td>Joined supplier/buyer development, follow-ups, opportunity register, and decision recommendation</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Plant and supply lead</td>\n<td>John or designated operations resource</td>\n<td>Equipment information, plant records, supplier access, and trial coordination</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Technical and quality support</td>\n<td>Insta-Pro plus appropriate Cornell or specialist support under a defined scope</td>\n<td>Process route, trial plan, quality requirements, and modification estimates</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Finance</td>\n<td>Designated finance resource</td>\n<td>Comparable quote basis, campaign economics, annual case, cash requirement, and sensitivities</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Research and coordination</td>\n<td>Existing analyst or supervised part-time support</td>\n<td>Contact verification, scheduling, document capture, and tracker maintenance</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mathew</td>\n<td>Strategy, commodity/trade perspective, selected introductions, and review</td>\n<td>Advisory contribution and selected relationship development</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>These are proposed roles, not confirmed assignments or a plan for seven new hires. Mathew's involvement should not default into responsibility for all daily operations and follow-up.</p>\n<p>The broader Commercial Director search is a separate decision. Doug's September 15 email described an intention to proceed with Kincannon &amp; Reed; it does not establish the final engagement, fees, or status. If the existing business needs that leadership regardless of specialty oils, evaluate it on that basis. If a role depends mainly on the proposed oil business, define the role after discovery clarifies the ongoing work.</p>\n<h3>Next phase</h3>\n<p>A focused 30-day discovery period remains a useful framework, beginning when ownership and spending authority are established. Supplier, customer, process, and finance inquiries run in parallel, with a short joint review twice a week. No more than two or three matched opportunities should move into a scoped pilot at once.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Timing</th>\n<th>Proposed deliverable</th>\n<th>Decision</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>October 1</td>\n<td>Complete the two Cornell discussions</td>\n<td>Identify applicable resources, information requests, and next steps</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>By October 2</td>\n<td>Circulate factual meeting outcomes and written follow-ups</td>\n<td>Decide which technical scopes to request</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>By October 5</td>\n<td>Assign the lead and functional owners; request the plant record pack and first-wave supplier/buyer information</td>\n<td>Confirm priorities, discovery budget, and hurdle definition</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>By October 9</td>\n<td>Present priced trial options or the specific missing prerequisites</td>\n<td>Approve a bounded test, continue a defined inquiry, hold, or stop</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Following weeks</td>\n<td>Obtain samples, quotes, trial results, and buyer responses as available</td>\n<td>Select a supported launch case, partner route, further test, alternative product, or stop decision</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>These are proposed follow-up dates. They replace the obsolete travel-dependent sequence without claiming that tests or buyer approvals can be completed on demand.</p>\n<h3>Decision gates</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Stage</th>\n<th>Evidence required</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Discovery to scoped test</td>\n<td>Defined material, representative sample path, named buyer route, relevant requirements, plausible process, and a cost range worth investigating</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Scoped test to pilot</td>\n<td>Approved objective and spend, material provenance, handling plan, measurement method, analytical panel, finishing constraints, and sample destination</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pilot to commercial case</td>\n<td>Actual buyer response, measured saleable yield, executable supply, attainable sales allocation, quoted costs/capital, required approvals, and downside case</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Commercial case to launch</td>\n<td>Approved returns and cash plan, delivery responsibilities, operating readiness, and an explicit commitment decision</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Launch to permanent staffing</td>\n<td>Supported workload, revenue ramp, funding, and a clear role justification</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Decisions for the group</h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Appoint the daily project lead and confirm the time available from operations, finance, and commercial support.</li>\n<li>Approve a defined discovery scope and spending cap after receiving the necessary short proposals.</li>\n<li>Confirm whether the $1 million EBITDA/under-two-year-payback hurdle applies to each product, each major line, or the portfolio.</li>\n<li>Select the first supplier and customer conversations and assign owners.</li>\n<li>Agree on the plant information needed to obtain a useful OEM and trial proposal.</li>\n<li>Confirm the next decision review and the evidence expected at that review.</li>\n</ol>"
    },
    {
      "number": 11,
      "title": "Outreach drafts",
      "slug": "outreach",
      "label": "Outreach drafts",
      "html": "<p>These drafts carry forward the substance of the outreach work, with the postponed travel dates removed. They are ready for the assigned sender to adapt to the recipient and schedule. The original account-specific playbook is attached. Cornell follow-up should acknowledge the correspondence and scheduled discussions already underway.</p>\n<h3>Regional grape supplier or processor</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Sheppard Grain regional grape seed and pomace discussion</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>I am working with Sheppard Grain in Phelps on a regional specialty-oils project. We would like to understand whether grape seed or seed-bearing pomace from your operation could support a commercial program using Sheppard's mechanical pressing assets.</p>\n<p>Could we arrange a discussion with the person responsible for production or byproduct disposition? We would like to cover annual volume by variety, the form and moisture of the material, whether seed is already separated, existing commitments, seasonality, preparation and storage, pricing, and representative sample availability.</p>\n<p>We are comparing prepared seed with recovery from wet pomace, so it would help to discuss those separately. Our goal is to establish a practical supply arrangement and full delivered cost before planning a trial.</p>\n<p>Please let me know the right contact and a suitable time.</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Stony Brook or a regional processing partner</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Regional specialty oils and potential collaboration with Sheppard</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>Doug Song and I are evaluating whether Sheppard Grain in Phelps can develop a regional specialty-oils business using its existing assets. Your experience with local seed oils and grower relationships makes a discussion particularly useful.</p>\n<p>We would like to explore whether Sheppard could contribute through pressing capacity, logistics, incremental acreage, contract processing, or a customer program. It would be helpful to speak with someone familiar with both seed sourcing and the commercial side.</p>\n<p>Could we arrange a call to discuss current supply constraints, potential incremental material, product requirements, and any area where a defined partnership could make sense?</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Martin Farms or a pumpkin/squash source</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Pumpkin and squash seed supply discussion</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>I am working with Sheppard Grain on a regional specialty-oils assessment. We would appreciate a conversation about pumpkin and squash seed, including current recovery and preparation, varieties, available quantities after existing commitments, and the potential for incremental acreage or production.</p>\n<p>We are treating pumpkin and squash separately. We would like to understand the differences in seed form, moisture, grading, competing uses, preparation costs, and sample availability before proposing a trial.</p>\n<p>Could you direct us to the person best placed to discuss these questions and any potential collaboration?</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Former Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil commercial or operating contact</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Learning from the Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil experience</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>Doug Song and I are working with Sheppard Grain on regional specialty oils. We would value the opportunity to learn from your experience with Finger Lakes Grape Seed Oil.</p>\n<p>We would like to understand the customers and oil grades that worked, achievable volumes, pricing and qualification, how seed was procured and prepared, and the factors that limited the business. We would also appreciate any operating records or introductions that would help us distinguish the commercial opportunity from the practical supply and processing constraints.</p>\n<p>Would you be available for a 30- to 45-minute conversation?</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Bulk oil buyer or distributor</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Regional U.S. specialty-oil supplier development</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>I am advising Sheppard Grain in Phelps, New York on a potential regional specialty-oils program. The first materials under review are grapeseed and pumpkin seed, with other crops considered where there is a specific customer requirement.</p>\n<p>Before defining the processing route, we would like to understand your purchasing requirements: botanical identity, oil grade, analytical and sensory specifications, annual usage, realistic allocation to a new supplier, typical lot and package sizes, and supplier qualification.</p>\n<p>Would your sourcing or technical team be willing to discuss the requirements for evaluating a regional mechanically pressed oil? If there is a fit, we would like to agree on a sample protocol and understand the bulk pricing basis needed to be competitive.</p>\n<p>This is a development inquiry; commercial supply and specifications have not yet been established.</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Insta-Pro equipment and trial review</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Sheppard Grain equipment review for specialty seed trials</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>Sheppard Grain is evaluating grapeseed and pumpkin seed processing at Phelps, with squash treated as a separate material. We would like your team to review the installed equipment and recommend an appropriate trial scope.</p>\n<p>We can assemble model numbers, current configuration, wear-part information, and the handling and oil-filtration arrangement. Please advise what additional information and sample quantity you need to assess preparation, shafts/cages/settings, repeat passes, throughput, recovery, oil temperature, cleaning, and product-quality constraints.</p>\n<p>We would also appreciate a proposal covering the available test location, measurements, cost, timing, and the engineering work needed before any production decision.</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Toll-refining inquiry</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Contract finishing inquiry for regional specialty oils</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>We are evaluating a specialty-oils program for Sheppard Grain and would like to understand whether you can accept mechanically pressed grapeseed and pumpkin oils for contract finishing.</p>\n<p>Could you provide the relevant inlet specifications, accepted crops and grades, minimum lot, setup and toll charges, expected loss basis, analytical requirements, turnaround, packaging options, and organic/conventional handling arrangements?</p>\n<p>Please also advise the sample quantity and information required for a preliminary assessment. We are comparing crude sales with toll-finished and direct specialty-oil routes, so freight, inventory time, and commercial lot size are important to the evaluation.</p>\n<p>Matt</p>\n<h3>Cornell follow-up after the October 1 discussions</h3>\n<p><strong>Subject: Sheppard Grain follow-up and proposed next steps</strong></p>\n<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>Thank you for discussing the Sheppard Grain project with us. We would like to confirm the appropriate next step for the materials and processing questions covered in the meeting.</p>\n<p>Please let us know the equipment information, seed description, sample quantity, handling protocol, and buyer requirements needed to scope the work. We would appreciate confirmation of the relevant facility or specialist, expected deliverables, fees, and timing.</p>\n<p>We will coordinate the plant information and commercial requirements so that any test addresses a defined source, oil grade, and prospective customer.</p>\n<p>Matt</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 12,
      "title": "Working records and meeting questions",
      "slug": "records",
      "label": "Working records",
      "html": "<h3>Opportunity record</h3>\n<p>Use one record for each distinct source, grade, buyer, and process combination. Different grades from the same seed lot may need separate rows, with the common supply constraint linked so it is not counted twice.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Record area</th>\n<th>Required fields</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Identity</td>\n<td>Opportunity ID; crop/species; source; originating farm/processor; material form; lot/sample ID; intended oil grade</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Supply</td>\n<td>Available quantity and unit; moisture basis; season; existing commitments; preparation; delivered quote; validity; sample status</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Buyer</td>\n<td>Organization/contact; specification version; annual usage; attainable allocation; price basis; package; qualification stage; sample response</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Process</td>\n<td>Site and route; configuration; trial ID/date; throughput; recovery; finishing loss; line hours; lab results; residue disposition</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Economics</td>\n<td>Itemized variable costs; oil-only contribution; qualified residue case; annual volume; fixed costs; capital; peak cash; payback</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Follow-up</td>\n<td>Source document/date; verbal, written, or measured status; owner; next action; due date; decision and reason</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Questions for the first meetings</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Meeting</th>\n<th>Questions that should be answered</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grape processor</td>\n<td>What is the actual annual crush by variety? Who owns the residue? Is seed separated? How much can be supplied after commitments? What happens to it today?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Seed-preparation operator</td>\n<td>What wet-to-clean-seed recovery is achieved? How are timing, drying, storage, and quality controlled? What are the full costs and seasonal limits?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pumpkin/squash grower or processor</td>\n<td>Which varieties and seed forms are available? What competes for that seed? Is expansion practical? What incremental quantity can be contracted?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Oil buyer</td>\n<td>What identity and grade are accepted? What could a new supplier realistically win? What is the required price basis? Who approves samples?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>OEM or pilot provider</td>\n<td>What exact setup and preparation are required? What should be measured? What constraints might disqualify the route?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Finishing partner</td>\n<td>Is the crop accepted? What are the minimum run, inlet limits, loss basis, charges, timing, and finished specification?</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Historical operator</td>\n<td>What were the actual sales, source volumes, preparation costs, yield, cash needs, and limiting factors? What records can substantiate them?</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Meeting record</h3>\n<p>Record the date, organization, participants, factual findings, quantities and units, quoted terms, evidence received, sample details, unresolved questions, and agreed next action. Attribute verbal estimates to the person and date. Attach the specification, quote, lab report, or sample record when available.</p>\n<p>The execution tracker provides the broader pipelines and actions. The matched-opportunity register provides the connection between supply, customer, process, and economics. Use one designated lead to keep them consistent, with this report's Cornell status and postponed itinerary taking precedence over older schedule entries.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 13,
      "title": "Research references",
      "slug": "references",
      "label": "Research references",
      "html": "<p>The following links are retained from the project's September research. They support the stated business, product, capability, or research lead. They do not establish available supply, a buying commitment, an offered toll service, or Sheppard-specific performance. Contact routes and product pages may change and should be confirmed during outreach.</p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Reference</th>\n<th>Scope</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://welchs.com/b2b/our-grapes/meet-the-mighty-concord\">Welch Concord | Welch's</a></td>\n<td>Concord = Vitis labrusca, crunchy seeds; whole grape including seeds/pulp is squeezed</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://welchs.com/b2b/our-grapes/the-goodness-of-the-niagara-grape\">Welch Niagara | Welch's</a></td>\n<td>Niagara = Vitis labrusca, crunchy seeds; whole grape including seeds is processed</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/erie/grape-non-grape-crops/grapes\">Welch North East | Penn State</a></td>\n<td>23 acres Concord + 5 acres Niagara at research center; processing grapes sold to Welch's North East</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1902783.015\">Welch plant current | OSHA</a></td>\n<td>Active 2026 inspection at 139 S Lake St, North East, PA</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://concordgrapejuice.com/grape-juices-and-concentrates/\">Grape seed + pomace | Growers' Cooperative</a></td>\n<td>Explicitly offers grape seeds and pressed grape pomace for downstream processing</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/lake-erie-regional-grape-program\">Lake Erie network | Cornell</a></td>\n<td>Lake Erie Regional Grape Program and CLEREL contact / staff</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Pumpkin / squash | Stony Brook</a></td>\n<td>Martin Farms supplies pumpkin/squash; PM Farms hemp/flax; named sunflower suppliers</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://foodmarketmaker.com/business/bus-C49FA02C.html\">Martin Farms | MarketMaker</a></td>\n<td>Brockport farm / squash processing / butternut squash seed oil precedent</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.zauba.com/sovena-rome-ny-import-data-pe8w593os4j0\">Sovena | Public trade data</a></td>\n<td>Recent refined grapeseed shipments into Rome, NY</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://bulknaturaloils.com/contact-us\">Jedwards | Company</a></td>\n<td>Formal supplier application / bulk natural oils</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.cataniaoils.com/talk-to-sales\">Catania | Company</a></td>\n<td>Current grapeseed / bulk sales channel</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://na.pipingrock.com/company/contact\">Piping Rock | Company</a></td>\n<td>Current pumpkin seed oil / contact route</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.seair.co.in/us-import/product-seed-oil/i-sanmark-llc.aspx\">Sanmark | Public trade data</a></td>\n<td>Recurring specialty-oil imports including pumpkin</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/oils/carrier-oils/grapeseed-carrier-oil-rbd\">New Directions Aromatics | Company</a></td>\n<td>Current grapeseed carrier-oil grades / cosmetic channel</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://pompeian.com/products/grapeseed-oil/\">Pompeian | Company</a></td>\n<td>Current grapeseed product / imported French origin</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.twincraft.com/contact-us\">Twincraft | Company</a></td>\n<td>Personal-care manufacturer / supplier contact route</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.fujioilusa.com/our-processes/\">Fuji Oil USA | Company</a></td>\n<td>Refining / blending / bleaching / deodorizing capabilities and relevant oils</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.nowfoods.com/products/supplements/pumpkin-seed-oil-1000-mg-softgels\">NOW Foods | Company</a></td>\n<td>Current pumpkin-seed-oil supplement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.centrafoods.com/contact-us\">Centra Foods | Company</a></td>\n<td>Bulk distributor / purchasing route</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://latourangelle.com/collections/all\">La Tourangelle | Company</a></td>\n<td>Portfolio benchmark: pumpkin, grapeseed, flax, HO sunflower</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell referral | Corwin Holtz, email Sep 22, 2026, 8:54 AM Pacific (private correspondence)</td>\n<td>Attached Cornell Food Science Contacts 9.22.26.docx; referral and contact details, not a confirmed engagement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://cals.cornell.edu/people/chang-chen\">Chang Chen | Cornell CALS; checked Sep 22, 2026</a></td>\n<td>Role, Geneva office and contacts; postharvest and byproduct research</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://cals.cornell.edu/people/bruno-xavier\">Bruno Xavier | Cornell CALS; checked Sep 22, 2026</a></td>\n<td>CFVC role, Geneva office and contacts; food-process and safety support</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://insta-pro.com/en/blog/success-story/other-oilseed-processing-at-natural-selection-farms/\">Insta-Pro commercial grapeseed precedent</a></td>\n<td>Natural Selection Farms example; no Phelps performance guarantee</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://insta-pro.com/en/blog/engineeringandmaintenance/using-the-oil-press-for-different-types-of-oil-seed/\">Insta-Pro crop-specific pressing</a></td>\n<td>Configuration and operating considerations</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://americannaturalprocessors.com/what-we-do/\">American Natural Processors</a></td>\n<td>Published contract processing and finishing capabilities</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://cals.cornell.edu/people/derek-simmonds\">Derek Simmonds</a></td>\n<td>Cornell contact and role</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2025/10/fast-drying-method-boosts-potential-uses-for-concord-grape-waste-0\">Cornell grape-waste drying research</a></td>\n<td>Research lead for recovery and preparation discussions</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/09/cornell-expertise-leads-sustainable-seed-oil-and-snack-company\">Cornell local squash-seed case</a></td>\n<td>Historical Martin Farms/Stony Brook development example</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.royalgrapeseed.com/\">Royal Grapeseed</a></td>\n<td>Prepared seed and oil business research lead</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://fruitdor.ca/en/products/organic-dried-cranberry-seeds/\">Fruit d'Or dried cranberry seed</a></td>\n<td>Seed-product offering, subject to commercial qualification</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.praannaturals.com/\">Praan Naturals</a></td>\n<td>Natural cosmetic-ingredient channel</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://plantspower.ca/products/cranberry-seed-vaccinium-macrocarpon-carrier-oil\">Plant's Power cranberry oil</a></td>\n<td>Carrier-oil category evidence</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.fingerlakeswineflour.com/about\">Finger Lakes Wine Flour</a></td>\n<td>Historical pomace business and potential residue discussion</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://grapegrowersofontario.com/who-we-are/\">Grape Growers of Ontario</a></td>\n<td>Grower/processor introduction route</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://hudsonvalleycoldpressedoils.com/\">Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils</a></td>\n<td>Regional sunflower grower/processor benchmark</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>The management source documents, independent reports, financial models, and complete source logs are also attached. Relevant September correspondence is summarized in the chronology above; unrelated correspondence and meeting access credentials are not part of the package.</p>"
    },
    {
      "number": 14,
      "title": "Attachment index and coverage",
      "slug": "attachments",
      "label": "Attachments",
      "html": "<p>The package includes <strong>79 distinct supporting files</strong>, preserving native editable documents, spreadsheets, and presentations where available. Identical copies from earlier bundles appear once. Distinct earlier versions remain in the prior-work folder. Filenames are retained where practical, with alternate suffixes where two different files originally used the same name.</p>\n<p>The main report states the current direction and status. Attachments preserve their original content. Earlier dates, assumptions, proposals, and contact statuses should be read in that context. In particular, the postponed itinerary is historical; old models do not establish current quotes; and earlier hypothetical earnings cases are not approved forecasts.</p>\n<h3>Principal working documents</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Document</th>\n<th>Contents</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Project_Update.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Concise group update in editable Word format</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Full account-specific outreach playbook; original travel dates are superseded</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Supply_Customer_Execution_Tracker.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Eight-tab supplier/customer execution tracker; September 22 snapshot</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Matched_Opportunity_Register.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Editable source-to-customer matching and evidence register</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Parallel_Validation_and_Resourcing_Plan.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Detailed discovery, staffing, and decision-gate proposal; earlier calendar dates are historical</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Regional_Oils_Research_and_Financial_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Regional research, retained yields, wet-pomace recovery, oil economics, and annual coverage</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Research_and_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Companion campaign and annual model; squash assumption requires separate validation</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Execution_Roadmap_v2.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Editable execution presentation</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Regional_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Assessment.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Editable regional assessment presentation</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Regional_Supply_Map.html <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Regional map; same content as the satellite-map filename</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Supply_Google_Earth.kmz <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Google Earth supply map</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Supply_Addresses.csv <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Supply address register</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Human_Grade_Oils_Marketing_Plan_1.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Management human-grade-oils plan</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Grapeseed_Pumpkin_Supply_Demand.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>September 15 supply/demand memo, extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Strategic_Plan_2026.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>March 2026 strategic plan, extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell_Food_Science_Contacts_9.22.26.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Cornell referral attachment, extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h3>Source-attachment coverage</h3>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Source attachment</th>\n<th>Included form</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE Human-Grade Oils Marketing Plan</td>\n<td>Original Word document</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE Grapeseed/Pumpkin Supply and Demand</td>\n<td>Extracted text of the emailed Word attachment; original Word file unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE Strategic Plan, March 2026</td>\n<td>Extracted text of the emailed Word attachment; original Word file unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell Food Science Contacts, September 22</td>\n<td>Extracted text of the emailed Word attachment; original Word file unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE overview.pptx</td>\n<td>Original attachment unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Strategy Review &amp; Business Plan v2.pptx</td>\n<td>Original attachment unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE Wiggins strategic development Jan25.pptx</td>\n<td>Original attachment unavailable</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<p>The extracted text preserves the available wording but may omit layout, graphics, or embedded material. The three unavailable background presentations are discussed in the management source plan but are not represented as included originals. Exact emailed filename variants <code>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2-2.pptx</code>, <code>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2-3.pdf</code>, and <code>Sheppard_Project_Baseline-3.pdf</code> were also unavailable; related roadmap and baseline files are included without asserting they are byte-identical copies.</p>\n<h3>Complete file index</h3>\n<h4>Working documents and trackers</h4>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>File</th>\n<th>Format</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Parallel_Validation_and_Resourcing_Plan.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Parallel_Validation_and_Resourcing_Plan.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Matched_Opportunity_Register.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Supply_Customer_Execution_Tracker.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Project_Update.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h4>Research and financial models</h4>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>File</th>\n<th>Format</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Regional_Oils_Research_and_Financial_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Research_and_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h4>Assessments, presentations, baseline, and maps</h4>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>File</th>\n<th>Format</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Regional_Specialty_Oils_Assessment.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Independent_vs_Management_Comparison.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Regional_Supply_Map.html <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>HTML</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Project_Baseline.md <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>MD</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Project_Baseline.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Regional_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Assessment.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Execution_Roadmap_v2.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Execution_Roadmap_v2.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Supply_Addresses.csv <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>CSV</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Supply_Google_Earth.kmz <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>KMZ</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h4>Management and source attachments</h4>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>File</th>\n<th>Format</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Cornell_Food_Science_Contacts_9.22.26.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Grapeseed_Pumpkin_Supply_Demand.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Human_Grade_Oils_Marketing_Plan_1.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>SGE_Strategic_Plan_2026.docx.txt <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>Extracted text</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>\n<h4>Earlier work and distinct prior versions</h4>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>File</th>\n<th>Format</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2_1_.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Executive_Roadmap_v2_alternate_c9ebf1.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Grain_Independent_Specialty_Oils_Assessment.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19_alternate_35795c.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Outreach_Playbook_2026-09-19_alternate_aae2d0.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Execution_Roadmap.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>01_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Execution_Roadmap.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_90_Day_Execution_Tracker.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Grain_PreFeasibility_Financial_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03_alternate_3cd2c5.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03_alternate_8ee3cb.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03_alternate_a6320e.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Proposed_Finger_Lakes_Itinerary_2026-09-30_to_10-03_alternate_ce430a.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>02_Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_90_Day_Execution_Tracker.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>03_Sheppard_Grain_Independent_vs_Management_Comparison.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>04_Regional_Specialty_Oils_Assessment_1_.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>05_Research_and_Financial_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>06_Independent_vs_Management_Comparison_1_.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Action_Plan_Preview.png <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PNG</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Commercial_Discovery_and_Hiring_Plan_2026-09-18.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Commercial_Discovery_and_Hiring_Plan_2026-09-18.md <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>MD</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Commercial_Discovery_and_Hiring_Plan_2026-09-18.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Commercial_Validation_Update_2026-09-30.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Execution_Dashboard_Preview.png <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PNG</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Execution_Tracker_2026-09-22.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Field_Visit_Supply_and_Customer_Validation_Plan_2026-09-18.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Field_Visit_Supply_and_Customer_Validation_Plan_2026-09-18.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Supply_Customer_Execution_Tracker_2026-09-18.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Visit_and_Customer_Plan.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Finger_Lakes_Visit_and_Customer_Plan.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v2.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v2.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v2_Preview.png <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PNG</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v3.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v3.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v4.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v4.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Specialty_Oils_Executive_Presentation_v4_Preview.png <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PNG</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Grain_Strategic_Pivot_Executive_Presentation.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Outreach_For_Approval.md <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>MD</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Project_Baseline.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_PreFeasibility_Model.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_PreFeasibility_Model_v2.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_PreFeasibility_Model_v3.xlsx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>XLSX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Share_Packet_2026-09-22.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Stakeholder_Alignment_and_Feasibility_Workplan_2026-09-18.docx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>DOCX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Specialty_Oils_Stakeholder_Alignment_and_Feasibility_Workplan_2026-09-18.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Strategy_Comparison_One_Page.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Strategy_Comparison_One_Page.pptx <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PPTX</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheppard_Working_Appendix_2026-09-30.pdf <strong>[not supplied]</strong></td>\n<td>PDF</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>"
    }
  ],
  "suppliers": [
    {
      "id": "S01",
      "name": "Growers Cooperative Grape Juice",
      "location": "Westfield, NY; Concord grape seed + pomace.",
      "role": "Supply lead",
      "coords": [
        42.324884,
        -79.573821
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Westfield, NY; Concord grape seed + pomace.</p>\n<p>Published offering of grape seeds and pressed pomace provides a direct commercial starting point. The project identifies 112 N Portage Street, Westfield, NY 14787.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Request separate dry-seed and wet-pomace offers, annual quantities after commitments, moisture, current use, price, and samples.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Cailin Kowalewski: cailin@concordgrapejuice.com; 716-326-3161. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://concordgrapejuice.com/grape-juices-and-concentrates/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "growers cooperative grape juice \n**location/material:** westfield, ny; concord grape seed + pomace.\n\npublished offering of grape seeds and pressed pomace provides a direct commercial starting point. the project identifies 112 n portage street, westfield, ny 14787.\n\n**next discussion:** request separate dry-seed and wet-pomace offers, annual quantities after commitments, moisture, current use, price, and samples.\n\n**contact:** cailin kowalewski: cailin@concordgrapejuice.com; 716-326-3161. [research source](https://concordgrapejuice.com/grape-juices-and-concentrates/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-1",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S02",
      "name": "Welch Foods",
      "location": "North East, PA; Concord + Niagara byproduct.",
      "role": "Supply lead",
      "coords": [
        42.216046,
        -79.8345242
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> North East, PA; Concord + Niagara byproduct.</p>\n<p>The project research identifies seeded Concord/Niagara processing and a North East facility at 139 S Lake Street, North East, PA 16428. Actual byproduct disposition remains unknown.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Reach the plant operations or byproduct manager. Obtain intake by variety, material flows, seed separation, ownership, current contracts, seasonal quantity, and a sample path.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 1-800-340-6870 or corporate inquiry; request North East operations/byproduct manager. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://welchs.com/b2b/our-grapes/meet-the-mighty-concord\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "welch foods \n**location/material:** north east, pa; concord + niagara byproduct.\n\nthe project research identifies seeded concord/niagara processing and a north east facility at 139 s lake street, north east, pa 16428. actual byproduct disposition remains unknown.\n\n**next discussion:** reach the plant operations or byproduct manager. obtain intake by variety, material flows, seed separation, ownership, current contracts, seasonal quantity, and a sample path.\n\n**contact:** 1-800-340-6870 or corporate inquiry; request north east operations/byproduct manager. [research source](https://welchs.com/b2b/our-grapes/meet-the-mighty-concord).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-2",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S03",
      "name": "Stony Brook WholeHeartedFoods",
      "location": "Geneva, NY; Pumpkin, squash, flax, hemp, sunflower.",
      "role": "Processing / grower partner",
      "coords": [
        42.867972,
        -76.985573
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Geneva, NY; Pumpkin, squash, flax, hemp, sunflower.</p>\n<p>An established Geneva specialty-oil operator with named regional farm relationships; the project address is 500 Technology Farm Drive, Geneva, NY 14456. Existing programs may already use available seed.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Explore incremental acreage, toll work, logistics, grower introductions, and joint customer opportunities. Establish supply rights and avoid counting its existing seed as available to Sheppard.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> info@wholeheartedfoods.com; 877-292-8369. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "stony brook wholeheartedfoods \n**location/material:** geneva, ny; pumpkin, squash, flax, hemp, sunflower.\n\nan established geneva specialty-oil operator with named regional farm relationships; the project address is 500 technology farm drive, geneva, ny 14456. existing programs may already use available seed.\n\n**next discussion:** explore incremental acreage, toll work, logistics, grower introductions, and joint customer opportunities. establish supply rights and avoid counting its existing seed as available to sheppard.\n\n**contact:** info@wholeheartedfoods.com; 877-292-8369. [research source](https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-3",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S04",
      "name": "Martin Farms",
      "location": "Brockport, NY; Pumpkin + squash seed.",
      "role": "Supply lead",
      "coords": [
        43.214471,
        -77.938805
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Brockport, NY; Pumpkin + squash seed.</p>\n<p>Named by Stony Brook as its pumpkin/squash source. The project address is 4021 Redman Road, Brockport, NY 14420.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Separate pumpkin and squash quantities, varieties, preparation costs, snack/oil grades, current commitments, and realistic expansion acreage.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> info@martinfarms.com; 585-637-3636. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.martinfarms.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "martin farms \n**location/material:** brockport, ny; pumpkin + squash seed.\n\nnamed by stony brook as its pumpkin/squash source. the project address is 4021 redman road, brockport, ny 14420.\n\n**next discussion:** separate pumpkin and squash quantities, varieties, preparation costs, snack/oil grades, current commitments, and realistic expansion acreage.\n\n**contact:** info@martinfarms.com; 585-637-3636. [research source](https://www.martinfarms.com/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-4",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S05",
      "name": "Steve Sheppard historical seed-drying contact",
      "location": "Finger Lakes / TBD; Winery grape seed.",
      "role": "Historical contact",
      "coords": null,
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Finger Lakes / TBD; Winery grape seed.</p>\n<p>An email-derived historical lead involving winery seed dried for an outside buyer. The operator and current activity are not established.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Obtain an introduction and interview the operator about sources, seasonal volumes, drying economics, customers, and practical constraints.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request the historical introduction through the Sheppard team; direct contact not established. Source: project correspondence.</p>",
      "search": "steve sheppard historical seed-drying contact \n**location/material:** finger lakes / tbd; winery grape seed.\n\nan email-derived historical lead involving winery seed dried for an outside buyer. the operator and current activity are not established.\n\n**next discussion:** obtain an introduction and interview the operator about sources, seasonal volumes, drying economics, customers, and practical constraints.\n\n**contact:** request the historical introduction through the sheppard team; direct contact not established. source: project correspondence.\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-5"
    },
    {
      "id": "S06",
      "name": "Hazlitt / East Coast Crush",
      "location": "Naples, NY; Grape pomace / seed.",
      "role": "Supply lead",
      "coords": [
        42.613423,
        -77.403828
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Naples, NY; Grape pomace / seed.</p>\n<p>Naples processing/co-packing lead and part of the historical regional network. The project address is 1 Lake Niagara Lane, Naples, NY 14512.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Quantify actual crush, varieties, residue rights, seasonal handling, storage, and a feasible recovery arrangement.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Stephanie Jarvis: stephanie.jarvis@hazlitt1852.com; Naples 585-531-3117. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://hazlitt1852.com/locations/red-cat-cellars/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "hazlitt / east coast crush \n**location/material:** naples, ny; grape pomace / seed.\n\nnaples processing/co-packing lead and part of the historical regional network. the project address is 1 lake niagara lane, naples, ny 14512.\n\n**next discussion:** quantify actual crush, varieties, residue rights, seasonal handling, storage, and a feasible recovery arrangement.\n\n**contact:** stephanie jarvis: stephanie.jarvis@hazlitt1852.com; naples 585-531-3117. [research source](https://hazlitt1852.com/locations/red-cat-cellars/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-6",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S07",
      "name": "Fulkerson Winery & Farm",
      "location": "Dundee, NY; Grape pomace / seed.",
      "role": "Supply lead",
      "coords": [
        42.523386,
        -76.976871
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Dundee, NY; Grape pomace / seed.</p>\n<p>Dundee grape-juice and winery-processing lead at 5576 NY-14, Dundee, NY 14837.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Establish actual crush, varieties, seasonal residue, existing arrangements, collection requirements, and sample availability.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company contact route at fulkersonwinery.com. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.fulkersonwinery.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "fulkerson winery & farm \n**location/material:** dundee, ny; grape pomace / seed.\n\ndundee grape-juice and winery-processing lead at 5576 ny-14, dundee, ny 14837.\n\n**next discussion:** establish actual crush, varieties, seasonal residue, existing arrangements, collection requirements, and sample availability.\n\n**contact:** company contact route at fulkersonwinery.com. [research source](https://www.fulkersonwinery.com/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-7",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S08",
      "name": "Finger Lakes Grapeseed Oil / Seneca BioEnergy",
      "location": "Seneca / Romulus area; Grapeseed.",
      "role": "Historical operator",
      "coords": [
        42.750438,
        -76.833906
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Seneca / Romulus area; Grapeseed.</p>\n<p>Historical regional operating precedent in the Geneva/Romulus area. Current operations and asset availability are not established.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Interview former sales and operating personnel about customers, seed access, preparation, configuration, economics, and the reasons the business was constrained.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Historical routes: Christine Jeffries 508-868-4354; Michael Coia 315-781-7315. Reconfirm roles and availability. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://fingerlakesgrapeseedoil.com/products.php\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "finger lakes grapeseed oil / seneca bioenergy \n**location/material:** seneca / romulus area; grapeseed.\n\nhistorical regional operating precedent in the geneva/romulus area. current operations and asset availability are not established.\n\n**next discussion:** interview former sales and operating personnel about customers, seed access, preparation, configuration, economics, and the reasons the business was constrained.\n\n**contact:** historical routes: christine jeffries 508-868-4354; michael coia 315-781-7315. reconfirm roles and availability. [research source](https://fingerlakesgrapeseedoil.com/products.php).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-8",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S09",
      "name": "Cornell CLEREL",
      "location": "Portland, NY; Regional grape intelligence.",
      "role": "Research / introductions",
      "coords": [
        42.379838,
        -79.467344
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Portland, NY; Regional grape intelligence.</p>\n<p>Research and extension introduction route at 6592 W Main Road, Portland, NY 14769. It is not a seed supplier.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Develop the processor/grower map and obtain introductions that can establish actual material flows.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 716-792-2800. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/lake-erie-regional-grape-program\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "cornell clerel \n**location/material:** portland, ny; regional grape intelligence.\n\nresearch and extension introduction route at 6592 w main road, portland, ny 14769. it is not a seed supplier.\n\n**next discussion:** develop the processor/grower map and obtain introductions that can establish actual material flows.\n\n**contact:** 716-792-2800. [research source](https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/lake-erie-regional-grape-program).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-9",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S10",
      "name": "Penn State Lake Erie Grape Center",
      "location": "North East, PA; Concord/Niagara intelligence.",
      "role": "Research / introductions",
      "coords": [
        42.216046,
        -79.8345242
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> North East, PA; Concord/Niagara intelligence.</p>\n<p>Research route at 662 N Cemetery Road, North East, PA 16428. The earlier research connects its processing grapes with the Welch North East plant.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Validate regional varieties, processor flows, byproduct contacts, and suitable introductions.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> 814-725-4601. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/erie/grape-non-grape-crops/grapes\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "penn state lake erie grape center \n**location/material:** north east, pa; concord/niagara intelligence.\n\nresearch route at 662 n cemetery road, north east, pa 16428. the earlier research connects its processing grapes with the welch north east plant.\n\n**next discussion:** validate regional varieties, processor flows, byproduct contacts, and suitable introductions.\n\n**contact:** 814-725-4601. [research source](https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/erie/grape-non-grape-crops/grapes).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-10",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S11",
      "name": "Royal Grapeseed",
      "location": "Milton, NY contact / Finger Lakes claimed origin; Concord grape seed.",
      "role": "Prepared-seed lead",
      "coords": null,
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Milton, NY contact / Finger Lakes claimed origin; Concord grape seed.</p>\n<p>Public prepared-seed lead associated with Milton, NY and claimed Finger Lakes-origin Concord seed. Research described cleaned, dried seed in one-ton crates.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Confirm botanical identity, true crop and dispatch location, annual uncommitted tons, moisture, remaining oil, sample, and delivered price.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company inquiry through royalgrapeseed.com; establish the dispatch site and farm origin. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://www.royalgrapeseed.com/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "royal grapeseed \n**location/material:** milton, ny contact / finger lakes claimed origin; concord grape seed.\n\npublic prepared-seed lead associated with milton, ny and claimed finger lakes-origin concord seed. research described cleaned, dried seed in one-ton crates.\n\n**next discussion:** confirm botanical identity, true crop and dispatch location, annual uncommitted tons, moisture, remaining oil, sample, and delivered price.\n\n**contact:** company inquiry through royalgrapeseed.com; establish the dispatch site and farm origin. [research source](https://www.royalgrapeseed.com/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-11"
    },
    {
      "id": "S12",
      "name": "PM Farms via Stony Brook",
      "location": "Penn Yan area; Flax + hemp.",
      "role": "Grower relationship",
      "coords": [
        42.660945,
        -77.053647
      ],
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Penn Yan area; Flax + hemp.</p>\n<p>Named flax/hemp grower relationship in the Penn Yan area, with existing supply relationships.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Obtain an introduction and identify incremental cleaned-seed lots or acreage after current commitments.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request an introduction through Stony Brook. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "pm farms via stony brook \n**location/material:** penn yan area; flax + hemp.\n\nnamed flax/hemp grower relationship in the penn yan area, with existing supply relationships.\n\n**next discussion:** obtain an introduction and identify incremental cleaned-seed lots or acreage after current commitments.\n\n**contact:** request an introduction through stony brook. [research source](https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-12",
      "coordinate_basis": "ArcGIS World Geocoding Service: approximate locality center, checked October 1, 2026"
    },
    {
      "id": "S13",
      "name": "Gianforte + Frederick Farms",
      "location": "Central NY; Sunflower.",
      "role": "Grower relationship",
      "coords": null,
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Central NY; Sunflower.</p>\n<p>Named central New York sunflower growers in Stony Brook research.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Pursue when a buyer supports the opportunity; confirm variety, oleic profile, origin, available quantity, and contract terms.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Request a grower introduction through Stony Brook. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "gianforte + frederick farms \n**location/material:** central ny; sunflower.\n\nnamed central new york sunflower growers in stony brook research.\n\n**next discussion:** pursue when a buyer supports the opportunity; confirm variety, oleic profile, origin, available quantity, and contract terms.\n\n**contact:** request a grower introduction through stony brook. [research source](https://store.wholeheartedfoods.com/us-grown-pumpkin-seeds/our-farms/).\n\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-13"
    },
    {
      "id": "S14",
      "name": "Fruit d'Or",
      "location": "Quebec / MA; Cranberry seed.",
      "role": "Processor / possible partner",
      "coords": null,
      "html": "<p><strong>Location/material:</strong> Quebec / MA; Cranberry seed.</p>\n<p>Integrated Quebec/Massachusetts cranberry processor that markets seed and oil products. It is a competitor and possible partner, not an assumed surplus-seed source.</p>\n<p><strong>Next discussion:</strong> Confirm processing-grade seed availability, oil remaining, farm origin, actual dispatch point, quantity, and make-versus-buy economics.</p>\n<p><strong>Contact:</strong> Company ingredient/commercial inquiry through fruitdor.ca. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https://fruitdor.ca/en/products/organic-dried-cranberry-seeds/\">Research source</a>.</p>",
      "search": "fruit d'or \n**location/material:** quebec / ma; cranberry seed.\n\nintegrated quebec/massachusetts cranberry processor that markets seed and oil products. it is a competitor and possible partner, not an assumed surplus-seed source.\n\n**next discussion:** confirm processing-grade seed availability, oil remaining, farm origin, actual dispatch point, quantity, and make-versus-buy economics.\n\n**contact:** company ingredient/commercial inquiry through fruitdor.ca. [research source](https://fruitdor.ca/en/products/organic-dried-cranberry-seeds/).\n",
      "anchor": "supplier-14"
    }
  ],
  "additional_leads": "<div class=\"table-scroll\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Scrollable report table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Lead</th>\n<th>Potential role</th>\n<th>Qualification needed</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grape Growers of Ontario</td>\n<td>Introductions to processing-grape growers and processors</td>\n<td>Identify the actual processing locations, seed ownership, collection density, crop identity, and border/freight costs</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ontario wineries and custom-crush operators, including Arterra and Andrew Peller leads named in the September 15 memo</td>\n<td>Potential additional grape stream</td>\n<td>Verify each facility, material, volume, commitments, and economic route; these are research suggestions</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils</td>\n<td>Regional sunflower grower/processor benchmark and possible partner</td>\n<td>Establish variety, scale, available seed, and interest in a specific arrangement</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Finger Lakes Wine Flour</td>\n<td>Pomace-use experience and possible residue discussion</td>\n<td>Determine whether Sheppard's proposed residue fits an actual specification and use</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Other Ontario/Quebec oilseed contracts</td>\n<td>Future origination</td>\n<td>Verify farm origin, identity, crop timing, delivered price, and achievable annual quantity</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>",
  "attachment_count": 79
}