Projects
Active Projects
Farm Succession
A 2012 Michigan State University study of Michigan farms showed that 40% percent of Michigan small-farm operators are over the age of 65, and that less than half (38 percent) of those intending to retire will pass on their farm as one unit to one heir. As the population of family farmers grows older, information on the transfer ownership of the property is becoming a major priority. Some strategies work for transfer within a family; other methods are needed if there is an interest in keeping farmland active, but there is no family option. At the same time, new and beginning farmers are challenged by the high cost of agricultural land and are seeking opportunities. Discussions are underway for development of a FarmLink website and materials from a January 9, 2013 daylong workshop on "Passing on the Farm" will be available here.
The Safe Food Risk Assessment
A small farm, scale-appropriate voluntary program designed to educate fresh fruit and vegetable producers about food safety and to recognize those who use safe food management practices. Producers who successfully complete the assessment and on-site farm review will receive a Safe Food Farm certificate of completion that can be shared with their consumers and buyers. The completion of the assessment will help you prepare for a certified food-safety farm audit, but in itself is only a review of your farming practices and not the same as a certified audit.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Garrett Coggon, Safe Food and MAEAP technician - email
cell: 231-590-0020 or 231-941-0960 x27
Seeds and rootstock: Saving regional bio-diversity on the farm
Objectives: Develop a list of genetic diversity in the region and connect and support those actively saving seeds and rootstock.
Progress: The group held a get-together in early July, 2010, to kick off the seed/root saving effort. Since then there have been several workshops on seed saving. Watch here for upcoming events.
A Seed Savers website went 'live' in august, 2012.
Contact: Jim Sluyter, Michigan Land Use Institute - email or 231-889-0199
Regional Food Hub
Objectives: Implement a regional plan to build easy access for local producers to needed small- and mid-scale food processing facilities to meet their value-added processing needs. A 2007 plan was prepared by the regional office of the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center under a Michigan Department of Agriculture grant to the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Land Use Institute.
Progress: The project has expanded into a regional food hub that would develop, promote, and expand direct-market and employment opportunities for farmers and agri-food entrepreneurs through development of value-added processing and packaging infrastructure, refrigerator and freezer storage, and specialty food kitchen incubator equipment. The objectives are to help northwest Michigan farmers: 1) meet increasing consumer demand for direct market produce through farmers markets, restaurants, institutions, and other avenues, 2) increase the availability of year-round local food, 3) increase the number of value-added agricultural ventures through development of small-scale processing and marketing channels, 4) and increase access of fresh local food to low-income, underserved residents in the Grand Traverse Region.
Grant proposals and funding resources through a variety of sources are being actively pursued, including a pending proposal to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Contact: Rob Sirrine, MSU - email -
231-256-9888
Don Coe, Black Star Farms -
email -
231-944-1294
Scaling Up: Meeting the Demand for Local Food
Conversations on Infrastructure needs and development and Product Branding are the primary activities.
Contact: Jim Sluyter, Michigan Land Use Institute - email - 231-941-6584
Farmer residency: Providing management experience on test-drive farmland
Objectives: Help new and young farmers gain access to land and build management experience through a residency program on farmland reserved for that purpose, such as tillable acreage at public parks or land held by conservation entities.
Progress: Exploratory discussions are ongoing with organizations in the region that have land the program could potentially use. Grant applications to support a pilot program are planned for the winter of 2010-2011. In the meantime, the community of aspiring farmers and farmer mentors is growing through the work of related programs and community leaders, who are involved in the farm residency discussions. One example is a Michigan version of a popular program from New York called CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training). The Antrim County based ISLAND organization coordinates the local CRAFT program. The Michigan Land Use Institute's Taste the Local Difference program hosts a forum for farmland owners and seekers to exchange information.
Contact: Marty Heller - email - 734-474-7166
Sustainable agriculture certificate: Building skills and providing recognition
Objective: Establish a certificate of sustainable agriculture education and training at Northwestern Michigan College to provide valuable support to farm entrepreneurs, including recognition by lenders and others.
Contact: Susan Cocciarelli, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (home of Michigan Works!) - email - 231-929-5058
