November 2023
Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November as Michigan Craft Beverage Month, recognizing Michigan’s robust craft beverage industry’s role in thriving economies and community vitality.
“Our craft beverage industry brings communities across America together and supports tens of thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “As governor and a lifelong fan of high-quality, Michigan-made products, I will continue taking action to grow our economy, invest in workforce development, and power our agriculture industry so these leading businesses can continue expanding right here in Michigan. Throughout Michigan Craft Beverage Month, I encourage Michiganders to join me in supporting Michigan’s craft beverage makers.”
Throughout Michigan Craft Beverage Month, Michiganders are encouraged to support local businesses by including Michigan-made craft beverages into their holiday meal plans, gift giving, and other memory-making activities with family and friends.
Read the full press release.
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March 3-5, 2024 in Kalamazoo
Join the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) and Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) for the first-ever Michigan Craft Beverage Summit. The event will educate and connect growers, craft beverage producers and other suppliers, and create collaborative partnerships to advance our dynamic state craft beverage industry. Summit objectives:
- Convene a statewide network of Michigan craft beverage companies, including wineries, cideries, breweries, and distilleries.
- Connect Michigan-based suppliers and growers to a unified craft beverage industry.
- Disseminate craft beverage specific research, education, and economic development opportunities.
- Provide an arena for supply chain connections through a Michigan-based supplier trade show and one-on-one meetings.
Learn more and sign up to be notified when registration opens.
Proposals due by 3 p.m. (EST) on January 9, 2024
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering a competitive grant program to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support improving infrastructure in rural communities across Michigan.
The Rural Development Fund grants are available for projects addressing expansion and sustainability of land-based industries; worker training related to land-based industries; and energy, transportation, housing, communications, water, and wastewater infrastructure to benefit rural communities and micropolitan statistical areas.
Land-based industries include food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism. For a complete list of eligible counties, visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.
Learn more and read the full press release.
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) program addresses the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and Extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems.
Projects must address at least one of five focus areas:
- Research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics and other methods to improve crop characteristics.
- Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators.
- Efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing).
- New innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening.
- Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production efficiency, handling and processing of specialty crops.
Application deadline is December 8. For more information, read the SCRI funding opportunity.
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