April 2023
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that she has appointed Dr. Timothy Boring as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The new director assumed the role on Monday, March 27.
Dr. Boring was appointed by the Biden administration to serve as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in 2021. He previously operated his family’s sixth generation family farm in Stockbridge, Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president and founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement. He also previously served as the Vice President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and worked as research director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.
Governor Whitmer has previously appointed Dr. Boring to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience, Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences, and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.
Read the full press release on this announcement.
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The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) today announced the recipients of it 2023 research grant program. The 10 selected projects total $350,000 in funding for research and education, advancing agricultural inputs for craft beer, spirits, wine, and hard cider. Six of the proposals selected are continuation projects in good standing.
The 2023 research grants align with the following research priorities of the Council: climate change impact; crop quality, new varieties, and flavor profile analysis for hops, grapes, fruit, small grains, or other agricultural inputs used in craft beverage production; sustainable water-use and wastewater/process water discharge projects; increasing use of Michigan agricultural products in craft beverage production; and benchmarking best practices accelerating the use of local agricultural inputs.
Read the full press release and view list of funded projects.
The first-ever Michigan Distilling Grain Summit took place on Wednesday, March 1, at New Holland Brewery and Distillery in Grand Rapids. The collaborative event was coordinated by Michigan Craft Beverage Council, Pure Michigan Business Connect, and Michigan State University Extension. The Summit gathered those supporting the supply chain, including farmers, maltsters, millers, and distillers. It included a productive panel discussion that tackled supply chain challenges, education around grain research, and plenty of time for networking. More than 100 people registered for the event, and participants expressed that the day was valuable in making connections to support the agricultural supply chain for Michigan’s thriving craft distilling industry.
Michigan ranks 7th in the nation for craft distillers (American Craft Spirits Association, 2022), with many sourcing Michigan agriculture. The Summit supported efforts to increase connections as a result of PA 135 of 2022, signed into law by Governor Whitmer.
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MSU Extension and Parallel 45 (P45) will welcome grape growers from all over Michigan and the Midwest to the 2023 Northwest Michigan Grape Kickoff hybrid meeting. The event takes place 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on April 14 at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center.
The kick-off meeting will include enology and viticulture information and Michigan Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) applicator recertification credits for private and commercial fruit.
Advance registration is required prior to Thursday, April 13.
The 17th annual Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) is currently accepting entries. Visit glintcap.org/register to register.
Entry fee payment is handled via PayPal, which accepts major credit and debit cards.
There is no limit to the number of entries you may register. You may register additional entries at any time while registration is open, simply by submitting a new entry form. Entrants may not, however, enter the same product into multiple style categories.
Learn more about GLINTCAP.
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April 20, Lansing
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (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 & 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.
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