Last week, MDARD and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced a new application period for the Qualified Small Distiller Program, which is open until June 18, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
All businesses that are renewing their certification must also fill out the online application form to be a certified Qualified Small Distiller on January 1, 2027.
The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) proudly announces that Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially proclaimed May 2026 as Michigan Wine Month. This proclamation recognizes the state’s thriving wine industry as a key contributor to Michigan’s economy, tourism, and agricultural heritage.
The proclamation also acknowledges Michigan’s leadership in cultivating diversity within the industry, including initiatives like the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s DREAM program, which expands education and career pathways for underrepresented communities.
With more than 45 grape varieties grown across over 4,000 acres, Michigan winemakers are producing an increasingly diverse and high-quality portfolio—from classic cool-climate varietals to sparkling wines and innovative styles.
Throughout May, wineries, restaurants and retailers across the state will celebrate Michigan Wine Month with tastings, events and promotions designed to connect consumers with local wine experiences.
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Join Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC) for a distiller field day on June 3, 2026 at Granor Farm in Three Oaks to explore the benefits, challenges, and best practices for developing grain supply relationships with local farmers.
The AGC—a network of farmers, processors, end-users and advocates working to strengthen the Midwest grainshed from seed to table—is hosting this event to support the release of a new distilling resource, The Midwest Craft Distillers Guide to Local Grain Sourcing. This guide details best practices from Midwest farmers and craft distillers for navigating local grain sourcing topics from farm field gate to distillery. Join us for a peer-led educational opportunity to dive deeper into the connection between farm and still.
Distiller Field Day: The Michigan Grain Value Chain + Rye Varietals
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | 2 – 6 p.m. ET
Granor Farm | 3480 Warren Woods Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128 (Map)
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June 17, 2026, 9:00AM - 1:30PM
The third annual Food-Grade Grains Field Day will take place at MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station on June 17. The event will feature several notable guest speakers, including Jay Brandt to discuss his farm and the Ohio Grainclub. The event will highlight steps from field to mug, spoon, and jug, and will include lunch. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
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The Michigan Brewers Guild announced a new initiative meant to build relationships among hop growers, malt houses, yeast labs, honey producers and other agricultural stakeholders that support the state’s brewing industry. The Great Beer State Collaboration launches in May 2026 and runs through February 2027, divided into five regions each with a two-month campaign.
Each participating brewery will craft a beer incorporating at least one Michigan-grown ingredient (the more the better) which will be available in its respective taproom during that region’s two-month stint. All collaboration beers will be promoted on the Guild’s website and social media channels to help educate the public about the program and the individual beers being featured. The beers will also be promoted by Pure Michigan channels and of course on the brewery’s pages.
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Registration is now open for the Fifth Annual Dirt to Glass Conference, returning to Traverse City on August 20 and 21.
Discounted registration is available for the first fifty registrants for both days, after which regular pricing applies.
This year’s program features 23 speakers spanning vineyard management, winemaking, soil science, vine physiology, farm-based innovation, and wine evaluation. The roster combines a strong core of Michigan growers, vineyard managers, and producers with national and international expertise, bringing outside perspectives and technical depth while staying grounded in Michigan realities.
Dirt to Glass is not only a speaker series; it’s designed as a working conference with moderated industry panel discussions built into the program so participants can compare approaches, challenge assumptions and leave with practical strategies that translate from the vineyard to the winery.
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On April 30, MDARD announced a nearly $306,000 grant to help Petoskey Farms Vineyard and Winery expand climate-controlled wine and cider storage for “Tip of the Mitt Producers.” The grant was part of more than $3.2 million of funding MDARD awarded under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program.
"These RFSI grants complement MDARD’s efforts to strengthen regional food systems through our Farm to Family Program," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Together, these initiatives are creating more opportunities for local food processing, aggregation and distribution, which means more Michigan families will have access to more Michigan-grown foods."
Under the RFSI program, USDA entered into cooperative agreements with state agriculture agencies to strengthen regional food systems. Over the past two years, MDARD has awarded more than $6.3 million of RFSI funding through a competitive review process to support the creation of more and better processing options for local and regional producers of specialty crops, dairy, grain (for food) and other sectors.
The next meeting of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council will take place on June 17 in East Lansing. View upcoming meeting information.
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