Displaying items tagged: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Sixth-generation farmer Tim Boring is bringing firsthand knowledge of the industry to his new position in Lansing as director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Seven Michigan farmland preservation programs have received $2 million in state funding to assist farmers with costs related to development rights on agricultural land and conservation easements.

When Courtney Lorenz launched her business in 2015 brewing and selling kombucha, she started working with just three 5-gallon containers. 

Here's the MiBiz growth report for March 15, 2021.

State officials have awarded $1.8 million in grants that will eventually lead to the preservation of 730 acres of farmland.

Under the guidance of Executive Director Marty Gerencer, the West Michigan Food Processing Association incorporated as a 501(c)(6) in February with a multi-pronged approach to support the food industry across a five-county region.

Battle Creek Unlimited has received $2.1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a food processing incubator known as the Southwest Michigan Accelerator Kitchen.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has directed state agency heads to use their resources to clamp down on pandemic-related rules violations and consider safety compliance when licensing businesses.

REED CITY — A pilot project spearheaded by global food processor General Mills Inc. aims to help improve the stability of dairy farms, starting with a trio of West Michigan operations and a focus on regenerative agricultural practices. 

Farmers grew nearly 4,000 acres of industrial hemp across 58 Michigan counties in 2019 as part of the state’s inaugural year of a pilot program to test the viability of the crop here.

This is the growth report for Feb. 2, 2020.

SHELBY — Family-owned fruit processor Peterson Farms Inc. is expanding its operations in Oceana County, north of Muskegon. 

Michael Klumpp did not know what to expect when he ventured into the world of industrial hemp, but the farmer soon realized growing a viable crop was only half the battle.

Not even depressed commodity prices, stalled trade talks, labor constraints and climate change can stanch farmers’ optimism.

GRAND RAPIDS — The potential reversal of the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could jeopardize West Michigan farmers and food processors.

West Michigan-based agribusinesses and food and beverage companies will soon have a new source of capital to fund expansion projects.

JACKSON — Indian Brook Trout Farm Inc. plans to leverage $150,000 it received through a state grant to win vital contracts with national grocery retailers.

Twelve Michigan food processing and agriculture companies will travel to Shanghai and Shenzhen, China next month on a trade mission with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

When Deschutes Brewery founder Gary Fish launched a two-year search to locate the Oregon company’s first satellite production facility, one of his top criteria was determining whether the state and local community wanted his business.