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Jamie Zmitko-Somers
Director, Agriculture Development Division
Welcome and Happy New Year!
We in the Agriculture Development Division envision a thriving agriculture, food and beverage industries that contribute to vibrant and healthy Michigan communities though a strong and well-connected supply chain. Our team works to meet this vision through the work undertaken in our program areas including economic and community development, international marketing, grants, producer security and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
The division's mission is accomplished by an outstanding team of professionals. Our team invests and engages in the success of Michigan’s robust agricultural industries by collaborating with and supporting our partners, promoting opportunities, and developing unique solutions that help Michigan thrive.
We look forward to continuing the great work in 2023 to grow the Michigan food, agriculture and forest products industries though continued business development and growth. Learn more about our team and how we can help your company grow and expand by visiting, https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/business-development. We look forward to working with you!
Jamie Zmitko-Somers
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Michigan Craft Beverage Council
 The Michigan Craft Beverage Council supports a hard-working, collaborative industry with deep agricultural roots. We provide resources and opportunities that connect growers and producers, reinforcing Michigan as a world-class craft beverage destination.
Industry-led and engaged, the Michigan Craft Beverage Council works collectively to guide important research and promote the growth of this connected, vibrant industry.
Questions? Contact: Jenelle Jagmin, Director, Michigan Craft Beverage Council
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
517-930-0696 | JagminJ@Michigan.gov
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Economic Development
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/Community Development team is here to help businesses figure out how to do just that.
Region 1 & 3 - Upper Peninsula & Northeast
Donna LaCourt
Regions 2, 4, & 8 - Northwest, West, Southwest
Jodi Gruner
Regions 5, 6, & 7 - East Central, East, South Central
Kevin Kuhl
Regions 9 & 10 - Southeast, Detroit Metro
Terri Barker
In conjunction with various partners and service providers, the Economic/Community Development Program connects Michigan businesses with a variety of programs and services.
Questions? Contact: MDARD-AgDMichigan.gov
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International Marketing
 The mission of our International Marketing Program is to assist Michigan food and agricultural businesses in developing domestic and international market opportunities to effectively grow their business.
This is achieved through consulting services, assistance with market entry, export education, market research, export documentation, cash reimbursements, trade show exhibitions, and more!
One way we achieve this is by assisting Michigan-based companies with exhibition at domestic and international trade shows. Check out our roster of 2023 trade show pavilions and reach out if your company is interested in exhibition!
- National Restaurant Association Show | May 20-23, 2023 | Chicago, IL
- Sweets & Snacks Expo - SOLD OUT for 2023
- Summer Fancy Food Show | June 25-27, 2023 | New York City, NY
- ANUGA | October 7-11, 2023 | Cologne, Germany
- Global Produce and Floral Show | October 19-21, 2023 | Anaheim, CA
Questions? Contact: MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov
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Grants & Funding Opportunities
 Our Grants team administers various grants, including the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant and the state-funded Value-Added Grant and Rural Development Fund Grants. The purpose of the grants is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, promote expansion of value-added agriculture production within the state, and support infrastructure in rural communities.
Funding Opportunities Include:
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Agriculture Preservation Fund Grants
County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants
Farm Stress Grants
Food and Agriculture Investment Fund Grants
Livestock and Commodity Exposition Competitive Grants
Rural Development Fund Grants
Specialty Crop Block Grants
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Animal Welfare Grants
Farm Innovation Grants
Fertilizer Research Grants
Food Safety Education Fund Grants
Michigan Craft Beverage Council Research Grants
Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant
Value Added and Regional Food Systems Grant
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Please note, there are unique deadlines, qualifications, and reporting requirements for each grant!
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2023 Making It In Michigan
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) are excited to partner with the MSU Product Center on the 2023 Making It In Michigan event on Thursday, April 20th, hosted at the Lansing Center. During the event, we will be providing buyer-supplier matchmaking and would like to invite your organization to participate. Through matchmaking, we are looking to bring together purchasers including grocers, retailers, distributors, institutional buyers, or others looking to procure Michigan-made food and beverage products, with suppliers from around the state. We hope you will consider joining us for this activity; there are three participation opportunities outlined below that are available to your organization.
- Participation as a BUYER: If you or another individual from your organization have procurement opportunities, you’d like to discuss with suppliers who may have relevant capabilities for your sourcing needs, you would meet with suppliers in 15-minute one-on-one meetings during the event.
- Participation as a SUPPLIER: Alternatively, if you or another individual from your organization are interested in meeting with buyers to discuss your capabilities relevant to their communicated needs, you will have a chance to submit an application that will open on/around 2/15/2023 that will list participating buyers and their procurement opportunities.
- Participation as BOTH A BUYER & SUPPLIER: We recognize that your company may be interested in an opportunity to participate in both roles.
For additional information on the Matchmaking at Making It In Michigan event, including buyer and supplier forms, please visit https://pmbc.connect.space/2023-making-it-in-michigan-buyer-supplier-matchmaking/details.
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The Agriculture Development is pleased to welcome Holly Henrickson and Elissa Mutschler to the International Marketing Team. Holly Henrickson graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts Teaching Certification majoring in Spanish and minoring in French. Ms. Henrickson brings over nine years of international and agriculture sales with her along with extensive trade show experience. Elissa Mutschler is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management. Ms. Mutschler previously worked closely with farms to mitigate environmental risks and has experience with sales, marketing, research and event planning.
Holly Henrickson can be reached at henricksonh@michigan.gov
Elissa Mutschler can be reached at mutschlere@michigan.gov
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Specialty Crop Block Grants
Now Open
Michigan Agri-Business Association's 2023 Trade Show
January 10-11, 2023 | Lansing, MI
Great Lakes Crop Summit
January 25-26, 2023 | Mt Pleasant, MI
MAC Outlook Conference
February 2, 2023 | Bath, MI
Value Added & Regional Food System Grants
Open February 2, 2023
National Restaurant Association Show
May 20-23, 2023 | Chicago, IL
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
Sweets & Snacks Expo
May 22-25, 2023 | Chicago, IL
*SOLD OUT*
Summer Fancy Food Show
June 25-27, 2023 | New York City, New York
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
ANUGA Food Show
October 7-11, 2023 | Cologne, Germany
*Contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov for details*
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture Development Division
MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov
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