The Butler County Community Development Corporation has worked with area growers and investors to form the Butler Onion Network. This network will provide opportunities for investors to save on costs and charges associated with the production of the crop, and will also provide an opportunity for member growers and investors to share in the returns and rewards of the network operations.

Growers and investors are invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the organization of the Butler Onion Network and to begin planning for the 2005 crop. The meeting will get under way at 6 p.m. at the Community Development Corporation's office in the Pullman Square complex in Lyndora.

The Pennsylvania Simply Sweet onion is a branded crop and production is regulated by the Pennsylvania Simply Sweet Onion Marketing Committee of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association. The onion has proven itself to be a popular choice among consumers and a profitable agricultural alternative for Butler County producers.

There is still time for producers to get in on the ground floor of this exciting project and become a part of the Butler Onion Network. Experienced agricultural producers with a background in field crop and/or commercial vegetable production are invited to participate in Wednesday's meeting.

Interested producers must be willing to commit to growing 5,000 or more plants to help meet the demand for this crop. They will also be required to obtain a license from the Pennsylvania Simply Sweet Onion Marketing Committee to produce, market and use the brand. In addition, growers must meet production standards, including size, sugar content, and pyruvate levels.

This will be the last chance for individuals to sign on as an investor or an investor/grower in the Butler Onion Network. However, the Butler Onion Network anticipates limited openings for additional investors in the future.

For more information or to make a reservation for Wednesday's meeting, contact the Community Development Corporation at 800-283-0021.