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MDARD announced a public input opportunity for the Rural Development Fund Grant Program. To ensure effective program priorities, MDARD is asking for public input by emailing your comments to mda-grants@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. on July 13, 2024.
The grant funds, established by Public Act 411 of 2012, are aimed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries including food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism. Currently established priorities include infrastructure development, workforce training, business development, and rural capacity building that benefits rural communities.
Eligible counties include those with a population no greater than 70,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas. Preference was given to projects in Marquette County. All interested parties may visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants for more information on Rural Development Fund grants and to review the 2024 guidelines.
View the full press release here.
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This month, Governor Whitmer proclaimed July as Wheat Month! Wheat production is a $281 million annual industry in Michigan, producing about 32 million bushels of red and white winter wheat in 2024. Michigan has wheat being grown on nearly 8,000 farms on both peninsulas in at least 78 counties. The wheat grown in Michigan is used for breakfast cereal and pastries, cakes and baking mixes, cookies, pretzels, pies, wheat berries (kernels), soups and crackers, and is a preferred ingredient for many commercial food manufacturers. During this month, we celebrate in partnership with the Michigan Wheat Program to highlight the importance of Michigan wheat farmers, millers, food companies, and businesses that utilize the state’s wheat and the industry they serve.
To view the full proclamation, click here.
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Save the date for the Farmers Market at the Capitol! The Michigan Farmers Market Association will be setting up a farmers market on the capitol lawn on July 23, August 27, and September 24 for the 2024 season! The Farmers Market at the Capitol is an event created to provide a thriving marketplace that showcases Michigan food and agricultural products to educate state decision-makers on the importance of supporting farmers, ag-based businesses, farmers markets, and community-driven marketplaces.
The Farmers Market at the Capitol are a staple of summer in downtown Lansing. There are so many different products to choose from including fresh produce, jams, jellies, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, salsas, pickled products, soaps, and more! There will also be food trucks set up throughout the market day along Capitol Avenue to enjoy.
Make sure to stop by and enjoy the Farmers Market at the Capitol! For more information, click here.
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Success Story
Cooperative Elevator Company is a corn, wheat, dry bean, and soybean elevator business. They have expanded and grown in size and capacity over more than 100 years of business. The Cooperative has expanded to include multiple locations in Pigeon, Akron, Fairgrove, Gagetown, Elkton, Sebewaing, Ruth, and Deckerville. Their products come from 1,115 family-operated farms and are shipped across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Africa, England, Europe, Brazil, and Central America. In 2013, the company reached its highest grain storage capacity of 21.2 million bushels. This company has a proud and rich history, continuously working to expand and improve for the farmers, patrons and customers they serve.
Along the way, the Cooperative has earned multiple grant funds to expand operations successfully. This includes funds from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Food and Agriculture Investment Program Grant. With the funding from MDARD, the Cooperative completed an expansion project to improve productivity and its ability to meet customers' expanding and changing needs.
"This program has been very beneficial to our Cooperative's goal of providing the best return to our membership by being leaders in the dry bean industry," says Caleb Sundblad, Vice President of Dry Beans and Specialty Crops.
MDARD’s Food and Agriculture Investment Program Grant provides financial support for 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 food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.
View the full success story here.
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Industry News
Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) grant recipients can sign up now to accelerate their business growth with the help of highly experienced dairy industry veterans through DBIA’s new, free mentorship program. Complete details are available at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia-mentors.
As part of DBIA's technical assistance offerings, CDR has hired five mentors who are now available to offer advice and support to DBIA grant recipients.
Currently, DBIA mentorship is limited to companies who have previously received a Dairy Business Builder or Dairy Industry Impact grant from DBIA. Mentorship assistance may be offered in several formats, including live or recorded webinars focusing on specific topics, FAQs and other documentation, referrals to other CDR staff, and individual guidance as mentors' time permits.
Interested participants can learn more about the program and meet the mentors during a free webinar hosted by DBIA staff on Thursday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m. (CT). Webinar registration is open now at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia-mentors.
View the full press release here.
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services farmworker hotline for seasonal farmworkers, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), is expanding to include resources and services that assist farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1).
The MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services Division launched the toll-free SIAYUDA hotline number in February 2023 to provide information and other service referrals in a farmworker’s primary language. Two-thirds of Michigan’s seasonal farmworker population speak only Spanish. The hotline provides English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole translation.
A translation service is also available for farmworker calls in languages other than English and Spanish. MDHHS contracts with translation service industry professionals to provide quality health care to Michigan residents.
MDHHS continues to provide bilingual residents with tools to prevent disease, improve health outcomes and increase well-being.
For more information visit:
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July 29-30, 2024 | Grand Rapids, MI
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