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Urban food systems and urban agriculture is an exciting and growing agriculture sector in Michigan. There are a variety of food and agriculture businesses and stakeholders that have been transforming the traditional urban landscape into thriving centers of food production and innovation. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Economic and Community Development team is supporting these efforts by engaging with food processors, small and medium-sized urban farms and entrepreneurs, distributors, food banks and many others that form the backbone of the multi-layered urban food system.
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The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted to approve a Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant to Michigan Turkey Producers Cooperative, Inc. for $75,000. These funds will assist the company with reconfiguring its current cold storage capacity, allowing for expanded capacity to fulfill orders more efficiently. This work will enhance local area supply chains while generating new economic opportunities in West Michigan.
The $75,000 FAIP grant allows Michigan Turkey Producers Cooperative, Inc. to reconfigure and expand their current cold-storage capacity to align with the products that are being produced and shipped. It will also include upgrading their freezer to individual blast freezing racking, also known as Quick Freeze Racking (QFR). The reconfiguration allows an increase in capacity, allowing the company to increase orders with current clients and bring on new clients.
FAIP plays a crucial role in Michigan’s economic development. It is specifically designed to provide financial support for projects that expand food and agriculture processing, thereby fostering growth in the industry and bolstering Michigan’s economy. The selection of projects is based on their potential to impact the overall agriculture industry, as well as food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.
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MDARD Director Tim Boring awarded Banks Hardwoods the department’s 2024 Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award. Banks Hardwoods, founded in 1985, began exporting quality, graded lumber 10 years ago and sources 65 percent of their lumber from Michigan. Since they began exporting, the company has experienced tremendous growth with exports representing a significant part of their sales and generating 14 jobs.
Michigan consistently ranks as one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation with agriculture export sales of $2.7 billion in 2023. Each year, MDARD recognizes Michigan’s leading exporters by awarding them with the Ag Exporter of the Year Award. In doing so, the company is identified as having high quality products and a strong commitment to exporting. To be eligible for this award, more than 50 percent of a company's product must be grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan, and exports must contribute substantially to the company's overall growth.
The Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award winner is selected based on export growth, innovation, and the pursuit of new export markets. The review committee consisted of members representing the Van Andel Global Trade Center, Michigan State University’s International Business Center, Comerica Bank, the U.S. Commercial Service’s International Trade Administration, and the MEDC International Trade Team.
For more information on past winners and the International Marketing Program, visit Michigan.gov/AgExport.
View the full release here.
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International Marketing
The International Marketing Program hosted 22 companies in their pavilions at their spring trade shows that took place the Sweets and Snacks Expo, the National Restaurant Association Show, and the Summer Fancy Food Show. The program works to secure booth space at these shows and sell them to Michigan companies and provides upgraded booth packages for companies exhibiting. The pavilions hosted by MDARD’s International Marketing Program are a great way for companies to attend large international and domestic trade shows in a more affordable manner and offers a networking opportunity with other companies from Michigan.
Total results from these three events include $7.49 million in immediate domestic sales and $550,000 in immediate international sales. There was also $9.05 million in projected domestic sales in the next 12 months and $1.63 million in projected international sales in the next 12 months. There were nearly 1,000 domestic leads collected and over 200 international leads collected.
The International Marketing Program will begin selling booth spaces for their 2025 pavilions in September. Please contact the International Marketing Team at MDARD-AgD@michgian.gov for any questions or to reserve your booth space!
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MDARD’s International Marketing Program partnered with Food Export to host the 2024 Summer in the Cities Buyers Mission previously known as the Midwest Buyers Mission! From July 27-30 buyers from across the world were welcomed to Grand Rapids, and connected with suppliers from throughout the U.S. Building new connections, increased sales, and an overall enjoyable weekend, those who attended left with a smile on their face. A total of 16 buyers from attended. Holding meetings with each of our 34 suppliers from the United States, including 22 from Michigan. Participating in a buyers mission is a great way to meet buyers from all over the world without leaving the U.S. Visit Food Export’s Events page to see the full list of events including their 2025 buyers missions.
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Industry News
Dirt to Glass™ 2024 takes place Thursday and Friday, August 22-23 in Traverse City, Michigan in the Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park. This annual conference connects growers and producers from around the state and beyond, providing the most advanced practical information to support the Michigan grape and wine industry in understanding the critical relationship between better farming and world class wine. Each year, working with Michigan State University AgBioResearch and Extension, Dirt to Glass™ identifies relevant topics in that cycle and invites highly recognized scientists and speakers from around the world to present to the Michigan grape and wine industry.
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October 19-23, 2024 | Paris, France
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