January 2023
March 1, Grand Rapids
 Pure Michigan Business Connect, MI Craft Beverage Council, MSU Extension, and Michigan Craft Distillers Association have partnered on an event to connect Michigan farmers and craft distillers. The Michigan Distilling Grain Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 1, in Grand Rapids at New Holland Brewery and Distillery. The event will include informational and educational content and an opportunity to interact with farmers and other suppliers, such as maltsters, in the state. An optional distillery tour and networking event will take place from 1 p.m. -3 p.m. The Summit is free, but registration is required at https://pmbc.connect.space/michigan_distiller/details.
Distillers – the final registration question asks for your distillery's needs for products such as grain and fruit.Filling out this portion of the questionnaire is important as it will help the event hosts identify relevant growers and suppliers for your needs. Please check all boxes that apply and/or select “Other” to detail needs not listed.
February 1-2, Benton Harbor
The 2023 Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days will host two days of educational sessions covering important topics like farm sustainability, soil management, pest and disease management, farm insurance needs, and annual crop rotation options. New this year is a full day dedicated to marketing and finance; track on day two will include discussing maximizing sales and profit potentials using digital relationship marketing.
Learn more and register.
January 31- February 3, Chicago, IL
CiderCon® is the premier cider conference for industry professionals. It is an opportunity to learn, share, sample, and network.
Learn more and register.
|
Proposals due to MDARD by February 28, 2023
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently announced a request for proposals through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Marketing Services.
The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty crops. Grant proposals must be emailed to MDARD at MDA-grants@michigan.gov by 3:00 p.m. on February 28, 2023.
The grants have a maximum award of $100,000 for research proposals and $125,000 for marketing, training, and education proposals designed to enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops. Specialty crops are "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”
Learn more and view application materials.
April 20, Lansing
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and MDARD are excited to partner with the MSU Product Center on the 2023 Making It In Michigan conference. As a part of the Making It In Michigan event, PMBC and MDARD will host one-on-one matchmaking meetings bringing together purchasers including grocers, retailers, distributors, institutional buyers, or others looking to procure Michigan-made food and beverage products, with Michigan food and agricultural businesses from around the state - all with one common goal to strengthen the state's food supply chain. BUYERS/DISTRIBUTORS: If you are interested in meeting with Michigan food and beverage suppliers during the 2023 Making It In Michigan event, please visit https://pmbc.connect.space/2023-making-it-in-michigan-buyer-supplier-matchmaking/details to learn more and to submit your purchasing needs.
May 17-19, Grand Rapids
The 17th annual Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) is headed back to Grand Rapids in May! This year’s competition will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 710 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Entry registration will open in February. Are you interested in serving as a judge or steward? Please complete the brief questionnaire on the Volunteer page.
Learn more about GLINTCAP.
|
May 20-23, Chicago
The National Restaurant Association Show is currently recruiting vendors. Businesses will connect with restaurant and foodservice professionals from 50 states and 112 countries. Secure booth space and learn more about this opportunity.
The Cider Institute of North America (CINA) and Michigan Cider Association (MCA) are partnering up to provide educational opportunities for Michigan producers, thanks to a Specialty Crop Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Over the next two years, all current and new MCA commercial members will receive steep discounts to CINA’s introductory and advanced-level production courses, supplemented by MCA-hosted field trips, cidery events, and hands-on technical training.
View information about CINA’s production classes at ciderinstitute.com/courses. All MCA commercial members will receive a discount code to register for one of the upcoming terms of the Cider and Perry Production—Foundation class. Contact brighid@ciderinstitute.com if you have any questions.
|
Raise a glass: Bell’s VP of brewing, quality leaves Michigan company after 21 years
Fermenta: Boosting equality in Michigan’s craft brewing industry
Hard cider sales show regional resiliency
What’s changed – and what hasn’t – in a year of new ownership at Bell’s Brewery
Michigan Wine Collaborative announces the DREAM project wine release
Leelanau wineries earn high marks
Mead: What’s the buzz?
Traverse City Whiskey Co. breaks ground on first-of-its-kind craft whiskey production facility in Traverse City, Michigan
Atwater Brewery offers beer ‘made by robots’
|
