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Governor Whitmer has proclaimed March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, to honor and celebrate Michigan's farmers, the diversity of products grown and processed in our state, and the partnerships that keep our food and agriculture industry thriving.
Throughout Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, MDARD will highlight unique parts of Michigan's food and agriculture sector while featuring how the industry positively impacts, improves, and protects the lives of Michiganders.
March also marks the launch of the 2025 Michigan Agriculture magazine, a guide to Michigan's farms, forests, food, and exports. It features stories about the state's top crops, environmental innovation, livestock, agribusinesses, tourism, food safety, local products and more. This year, business owner Dazmonique Carr, of Deeply Rooted Produce in Detroit, is featured on the front cover.
Michigan Agriculture magazine can be found at Michigan's Welcome Centers, MSU Extension and Conservation District offices, and at featured businesses and advertisers across the state. MDARD also distributes copies at events throughout the year. The magazine is also available electronically.
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Success Story
The Grand Traverse Pie Company was started in 1996 by a husband and wife, Mike and Denise Busley. Michigan natives, the Busley's were living in San Diego, California when they met the owner of Julian Pie Company, Liz Smothers, who shared her knowledge of everything pie with Mike and Denise. Bringing that knowledge back home, they opened their first shop in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. What started as one shop with six employees is now eleven shops across Michigan and Indiana with over 300 employees.
Over the past few years, Grand Traverse Pie Co. has participated in multiple food shows including the National Restaurant Association show working with Food Export and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s International Marketing team. By participating in the Michigan Pavilion and acquiring a booth, the company had great success in growing their brand and reputation amongst other Michigan companies and industry professionals.
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International Marketing
Our Michigan pavilion is a great way for Michigan food and agricultural companies to participate in BIG trade shows in the U.S. with an international draw and at international trade shows. We currently have two booth spaces open at the Sweets and Snacks Expo, act fast to secure your booth space today! Please reach out to Elissa at MutschlerE@michigan.gov for more information and to secure a booth space today!
ONE BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE
May 13-15, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana
This show is ideal for any snack or confectionery company to attend. Buyers, brokers, distributors, and other decision makers all attend this show looking for products in this sector.
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May 7, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan
Making It In Michigan is a premier food trade show & networking conference. Join the MSU Product Center, hundreds of MI-based food businesses, and retail buyers for educational sessions and buyer interaction to expand your food or agricultural business.
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June 29-July 1, 2025, New York City, New York
The Summer Fancy Food Show is the show for niche and higher-end products. This show is great for making east coast connections.
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Youth exhibitors who are getting ready to graduate high school or are newly graduated are encouraged to apply to the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) cycle for 2025, which was announced by MDARD.
The scholarship program provides funding awards for applicants that are residents of Michigan and are graduating seniors or graduated students that are continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying. The awards are given as either a general scholarship or a statewide scholarship. Applications for the scholarships are due on May 1, 2025.
For the general MYLSF scholarship, the applicant must have been a youth exhibitor at the Michigan Livestock Expo or the Michigan Dairy Expo for a minimum of three calendar years prior to the year of application. For the statewide scholarship, an applicant must have been a youth exhibitor at a local, county, or statewide exhibition for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application.
For a full list of 2024 winners, visit our website.
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The Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program will host a webinar on April 8, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to noon. The session will highlight the important concepts of navigating the program once land is enrolled. The recorded webinar will guide you through the program’s processes and help you to effectively relinquish, split, or transfer a Farmland Development Rights Agreement. Registration is not required to participate in the webinar.
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Industry News
Food Hubs and other food distributors of local foods play an important role in our state and regional food systems. By taking the National Food Hub Survey, you can share your insights on economic growth, opportunities, and challenges within the food aggregation sector. The Food Hub Survey is hosted by Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems.
Who should participate? If your business or organization gather and distributes food from multiple producers, this survey is for you! Spread the word and share with your network. This survey will be available through the end of March.
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Making it in Michigan Conference and Trade Show
May 7, 2025 | Lansing, MI
Sweets & Snacks Buyers Mission
May 12-13, 2025 | Indianapolis, IN
Sweets & Snacks Expo
May 13-15, 2025 | Indianapolis, IN
Food Service Buyers Mission at NRA Show
May 16-18, 2025 | Chicago, IL
National Restaurant Association Show
May 17-20, 2025 | Chicago, IL
Summer Fancy Food Show
June 29-July 1, 2025 | New York City, NY
Focused Trade Mission to Toronto
September 3-5, 2025 | Toronto, Canada
ANUGA
October 4-8, 2025 | Cologne, Germany
Global Produce and Floral Show
October 16-18, 2025 | Anaheim, CA
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