Grant opportunities and announcements, upcoming conferences, and more.

Bookmark and Share

Michigan Craft Beverage Council banner

INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER

February 2021

 

Michigan Craft Beverage Council Announces 2021 Research Grant Awards

MCBC recommended more than $274,000 in project support for research into agricultural inputs of craft beer, spirits, wine, and hard cider. Four of the proposals selected are continuation projects from the 2020 grant program that will continue to do additional research. In total, MCBC’s competitive grant program received 17 applications requesting more than $540,000.

See the list of funded projects and read the full press release. 

At the close of the grant cycle, final reports will be posted to the Council’s website research database. The database is searchable by keyword, author, year, category and crop, and is designed to make the research of the Council easily accessed by industry members.

Please direct questions to Jenelle Jagmin at 517-930-0696 or Jagminj@michigan.gov.


MDARD Announces Value-Added & Regional Food Systems Grant Opportunity

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is now accepting applications for its latest round of value-added and regional food systems grants. Grant proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. (EST) on March 18, 2021.

The Value-Added & Regional Food Systems Grant Program is designed to help retain, expand, attract, or develop agricultural processing in Michigan through targeted investments in technology and equipment, feasibility studies, healthy food access, regional food systems and urban agriculture.

Read the full press release about this grant opportunity. 

For more information about MDARD’s grant programs, visit Michigan.gov/MDARDgrants


MDARD Accepting Proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is accepting proposals through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service.

The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops, which are defined as "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”

Learn more about the Specialty Crop Block Grant opportunity. 

Read the full press release here. 


Meijer Hosts a Lift Local Supplier Event

Meijer announced that it will host the Lift Local Supplier Event, giving local businesses across the retailer’s six-state footprint the opportunity to showcase their offerings to Meijer merchants virtually.

The April 1 virtual event will focus on the following categories:

  • Grocery, including fresh, deli and bakery
  • Baby
  • Beauty and personal care
  • Over-the-counter and wellness

Michigan businesses that manufacture or grow retail-ready products can apply by Friday, Feb. 19, for consideration here.

Read the full press release about this opportunity. 


MSU Small Grains for Brewing & Distilling Hosts Virtual Happy Hour

MSU's Grains for Brewing & Distilling Virtual Happy Hour has returned. The events take place on Fridays in February and March at 3:30 p.m. Discussion topics for this series:

  • Barley Breeding for Eastern & Midwest Regions
  • Winter Barley Hardiness
  • MSU's Beverage Quality Analysis Lab
  • Craft Malting 
  • Effects of Planting Date & Seeding Rate
  • Fungicide Trial Observations
  • Barley Terroir
  • Certified Seed Production 

Each Virtual Happy Hour will include 30 minutes of presentations from MSU researchers and industry leaders, followed by open discussion. 

Subscribe here to receive email updates and receive zoom instructions. 

Recordings of the first eight sessions are available on this YouTube channel.


Michigan Wine Collaborative Seeking Committee Members

The Michigan Wine Collaborative is currently looking for member participation on the following committees: 

  • Inclusion & Expansion Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Marketing & Communications Committee

For more information about the fundraising activities of the Inclusion & Expansion Committee, view this press release. 

Learn more about the Michigan Wine Collaborative here


Craft Beverage Conferences

The winter months are a flurry of activity when it comes to craft beverage related conferences. Many industry members were recent attendees of the Michigan Brewers Guild's Annual Winter Conference, Cider-Con, and the Northwest Michigan Vineyard & Orchard Show. Event hosts and attendees have both risen to the occasion to make the most of virtual platforms. 

View upcoming craft beverage event and conference activities here.

To submit an event to be included on the website conference listing, please email MDARD-CraftBev@Michigan.gov. 


In this Issue:


Contact the Michigan Craft Beverage Council:

Michigan Craft Beverage Council
PO Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909

517-284-5742

Email the Council


Visit our Website


Facebook icon

"Like" the Michigan Craft Beverage Council on Facebook


Twitter icon

Follow us on Twitter @MiCraftBeverage


Instagram logo

Follow micraftbeverage on Instagram


LinkedIn icon

Follow Michigan Food and Ag Business Development on LinkedIn