Update About the Network

The Northwest Michigan Food and Farming Network is a forum and opportunity for the region’s many food and farming interests to link and advance their work. The Network formed after leading business and community groups organized last year's first
Farm Route to Prosperity
summit.
 
That summit produced a 10-year regional goal: To increase the resilience and double the value of the region's food and agriculture system.
 
Since then, the Network has started helping people and organizations connect, focus their efforts, and work together. Today, the Network includes a council of volunteers who are chairing several work groups. You can find more details at FoodandFarmingNetwork.org
 
PROGRESS SINCE LAST YEAR
Activities and accomplishments over the last year by people and organizations associated with the Food and Farming Network and its work with the Grand Vision include:
 
Farm Business Support

  • We're making progress on farm financing. Two micro-loan funds are in development, and the Michigan Land Use Institute launched a savings-match program for new farmers.
  • A business roundtable focused on local food processing and distribution and is connecting with local farmers and buyers, like schools and restaurants, to figure out next steps.
  • The five-county Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation adopted our 10-year goal as part of its strategy for the region's economy.
  • Groups are working together to leverage state economic development funding for sustainable agriculture-related workforce development programming in our region.

Action on Food Safety Regulations and Policy

  • The Network raised concerns with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow about costly and confusing new food safety certification requirements for farms. Our outreach influenced legislation she has introduced to increase certification training and technical assistance for small and mid-size farms.
  • Many regional organizations are pooling their limited resources to provide information and training to area farms now facing certification requirements.
  • We’re part of statewide "Good Food Charter" efforts to raise healthy-food and profitable-farming issues with 2010 election candidates.
  • Our region influenced the MDA’s new statewide standard for local zoning of on-farm markets.

Health and Wellness Efforts Turn to Local Food

  • Hospitals, health departments, schools, and others are engaged in the Network because of the diet- and economy-improving power of local foods. Collaboration with the regional farm-to-school conference, March 15 at the Hagerty Center, is one example.
  • Another example is the tremendous regional gathering of community garden initiatives, hosted in early 2010 by the Antrim County-based non-profit, ISLAND.

Youth and New Farmers

  • Some groups are using the Network to connect with and build new opportunities for youth and others interested in farming, including links to farmland and mentoring opportunities.