One of the most important questions we can ask about our food system is, “How much of each dollar spent on domestic food makes it back to the farm?” According to the USDA Economic Research Service, in 2024 farmers earned on average 11.8 cents of every food dollar spent on domestically produced food sold at grocery stores and restaurants combined, with the remaining 88.2 cents absorbed by off‑farm costs such as processing, marketing, transportation, distribution, and retailing.
In a season when fresh, local food is abundant across our region, this data serves as a powerful reminder of the impact each of us can have when we choose to buy directly from the farmers who steward our land. Direct purchases - from CSAs to farm stands to farmers markets - not only ensure that more of every dollar stays in farmers’ pockets, but also strengthen the economic viability of working farmland and help preserve the agricultural landscapes that define our community.
Eating local and in-season means better taste, more nutrients, and support for the farmers who help keep our community thriving. You can check out what produce is ripe and available at a farmers' market near you by visiting the Michigan What’s In Season website.
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Culver’s Share Night Brings Community Together for Farmland Preservation
 Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday, June 23, to support local farms during our Culver’s Share Night, held from 5 - 8 p.m. across all participating Kent County locations. Your engagement and enthusiasm strengthen our agricultural community and reinforce the importance of preserving our local farmland.
A special thank you goes out to Culver’s and their wonderful staff for generously donating 10% of sales to support our agricultural preservation programming. Their partnership directly supports the County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program by helping cover closing costs in the preservation process, and also strengthens our broader agricultural preservation efforts by expanding access to essential resources - such as farm succession planning - for local producers.
We are also grateful for the time and dedication of our volunteers, County Commissioners, and Agricultural Preservation Board members who help make this work possible.
Kent County Receives Two Grants Advancing Farmland Preservation
Kent County is celebrating two significant grant awards that support the long‑term protection of local farmland.
The County has been awarded a $157,250 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to preserve 109 acres of farmland in Tyrone Township. This working farm, owned by the same family for generations, has been part of an ongoing preservation effort since 2021. The MDARD grant will be matched with $175,000 previously awarded to the County through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), along with a landowner donation of $108,750. After years of navigating complex challenges together, this marks an exciting milestone, and we anticipate closing on the conservation easement before the end of 2026.
Additionally, the County has been awarded a $218,460 grant award from USDA NRCS to support the preservation of approximately 109 acres in Solon Township. This funding is expected to cover about 50% of the fair market value of the development rights. The remaining portion is anticipated to be covered through a future MDARD grant and a landowner donation, with the County anticipating to apply to MDARD in early 2027.
These grants reaffirm Kent County’s commitment to preserving productive farmland, supporting local producers, and protecting the land that sustains our agricultural heritage.
Additional information about the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program can be found on the County's website. Call (616) 632-7593 or email Haley Stichman with any questions.
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Announcing Two Community Fest Events This Year!
After a hugely successful event last year, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting two FREE Kent County Community Fests this year!
Our South Community Fest will be happening on Wednesday, July 29, from 4 to 7 PM at Brewer Park in Byron Center AND our North Community Fest will be happening on Thursday, August 13, from 4 to 7 PM at our North Campus in Cedar Springs.
These free, family-friendly events promise fun for all ages - so bring your friends and family to join the celebration!
Highlights include:
- Food trucks & free ice cream
- Kids’ activities: face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon animals
- Big trucks on display: fire engines, road equipment
- Meet 20+ County departments & access resources
- Sheriff’s K-9 demos & Mounted Unit meet-and-greets
Farm & Ranch Transition Support Grants Available
Farmers and ranchers navigating succession or land transfer can still apply for Farm & Ranch Transition Support Grants through American Farmland Trust’s Land Transfer Navigator program. These grants help offset costs related to transition planning - such as legal, financial, and mediation services - making it easier for producers to plan for the future and keep working lands in agriculture.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must work with a Land Transfer Navigator; include navigator organization’s name in the application
- Land involved must have a permanent agricultural conservation easement or be in the process of establishing one
- Applicants must be for-profit farms or ranches and able to demonstrate agricultural income - even via barter, exchange, or community-supported production
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Plan Your Visit to the Kent County Youth Fair This August
 The Kent County Youth Fair will take place August 3 - 7 at The Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan in Lowell, and we encourage you to plan your visit and enjoy this long-standing community tradition. In addition to livestock exhibits, youth projects, and hands-on agricultural demonstrations, the fair offers carnival rides, games, and food - each experience providing agricultural exposure to many who may otherwise never be associated with farming or raising livestock.
With more than 40,000 people expected to attend and a wide range of youth agricultural exhibits and activities to explore, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate Kent County’s farming heritage. While you're there, be sure to stop by the Kent County booth to learn more about our farmland preservation efforts and say hello to our team.
Check out planning details and the full fair schedule today!
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