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Nate Engle
Deputy Director, Agriculture Development Division
Did you know the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has a team of four economic developers serving food processors, agricultural producers, and forest products companies across the state? Whether your company is expanding, looking for new suppliers, or looking to move to Michigan, MDARD’s team works hand-in-hand with companies to help you succeed.
MDARD Business Development Strategy
MDARD has a set of tools, including the Value-Added Processing and Regional Food Systems Grants, while pointing companies to additional financial resources, farm start-up tools, and organizations—public, private, and non-profit—supporting growth.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a bipartisan budget investing in the department’s Office of Rural Development, food processing, innovation, and business incubation. The Fiscal Year 2023 budget goes into effect on October 1. Funding supporting food processing operations to meet environmental quality standards will facilitate business expansion while protecting Michigan’s natural resources.
MDARD’s Food and Agriculture Investment Program and Value-Added Processing & Regional Food Systems Grant Program will receive $2.4 million in funding. These grants support company expansion, coming to Michigan, and often demonstrate a commitment from production agriculture components grown here through to finished product manufacturing.
This month's issue of the Michigan Food and Ag Business Development Bulletin is packed with economic development resources and stories from MDARD. Read more in this issue:
How can our team help your business grow? Contact us at MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov.
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Whether you already have a food, agriculture or forest products business and are looking to expand, or are interested in starting or relocating to Michigan our Economic and Community Development team is here to help businesses figure out how to do just that. In conjunction with various partners and service providers, the Economic and Community Development Program connects Michigan businesses with a variety of programs and services. MDARD's four Economic and Community Development Specialists are assigned to communities based on 10 regions in Michigan.
Economic Development Team Members
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Economic and Community Development Analyst
Southeast Michigan | Regions: 9 and 10
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Economic and Community Development Specialist
West Michigan | Regions: 2, 4, 8 | Statewide for Site Selection and Business Attraction
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Economic and Community Development Analyst
Mid-Michigan and Thumb | Regions: 5, 6, 7 and Calhoun, Branch, and Livingston counties
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Economic and Community Development Specialist
Northern Michigan | Regions: 1 & 3 | Statewide for Forest Products
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SUCCESS STORY
 This information is being shared as a public service by MDARD on behalf of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
In Michigan, Meijer is a household name. Founded as a supermarket chain in 1934 and launching its superstore format in 1962, Meijer has grown to over 250 stores across Michigan and the Midwest. In recent years, Meijer has created a neighborhood market experience with its small-format market stores.
Since 2018, Meijer has opened four market stores across the state: Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids; Capital City Market in Lansing; Rivertown Market in Detroit; and Woodward Corner in Royal Oak. As the Meijer market stores continue looking for local food and beverage vendors with unique products, Pure Michigan Business Connect’s (PMBC) Local Vendor Events have helped introduce nearly 50 Michigan small businesses to store directors, purchasers and inventory leads.
In February 2022, PMBC, the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) and the MSU Product Center, hosted the Local Vendor Event initiative in partnership with Meijer at its Woodward Corner store in Royal Oak. PMBC oversaw the vendor outreach and intake to capture qualification criteria, helping Meijer make informed decisions on which businesses should participate; by managing logistics and scheduling, PMBC provided an organized and interactive experience for the Meijer staff and supplier attendees. This resulted in an efficient way to get Meijer connected to a high volume of suppliers in a short amount of time.
ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH
 MDARD staff recently attended the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) first listening session in Detroit as USDA works to shape the first Office of Urban Agriculture. Nearly 75 urban growers and other stakeholders attended, along with USDA, state, and local agricultural representatives.
The 2018 Farm Bill established the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) to better focus on the needs of urban farmers. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) leads the USDA-wide office, including representatives from other USDA agencies like Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 We Have Resources That Can Help!
Let MDARD help you build your recruiting strategy with resources and tips on the Michigan Food and Agriculture Strategic Employment Planning website.
What is Happening in Your Workforce?
MDARD would like to understand your unique challenges better. Please take a moment to fill out the hiring information form by clicking the link below.
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MICHIGAN CRAFT BEVERAGE COUNCIL
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Stories from the latest issue of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council Industry Newsletter:
- Governor Whitmer Signs Bill Helping Michigan Distilleries
- Qualified Distiller Program
- Researcher Profile: Nicole Shriner, PhD
- Dirt to Glass 2022: Conference Registration is Open
- MDARD Awards over $1.7 million for 18 Projects to Improve, Grow Local Agricultural Business Processes
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NEWS AND RESOURCES
The Food and Agriculture Investment Program provides financial support for food and agriculture projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan's economy. Projects are selected based on their impact on the overall agriculture industry and their impact to food and agriculture growth and investment in Michigan.
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture Development Division
MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov
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