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Welcome to the Food and Agriculture Business Development monthly newsletter – providing Michigan's food, agriculture and forest products businesses and producers with updates, resources, and industry news.
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Success Story
Headquartered in rural Leelanau County, Cherry Republic uses the Montmorency Tart Cherry in more than 200 cherry-based products. Founded in 1989, the company has grown to employ more than 500 full- and part-time staff across eight retail locations and their distribution center.
Last year, Cherry Republic utilized a $150,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant from MDARD to support a $4 million expansion of their fulfillment and distribution center in Empire. The project added 16,000 square feet of dry and cold storage, two new loading docks, risk mitigation infrastructure and 20 new full-time jobs. The investment in this infrastructure helps Cherry Republic to continue connecting the world to Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries while adding greatly needed space and equipment that removes operational constraints and enables further business development.
“Working with MDARD has been a very smooth and streamlined process. The team is proactive – they actively look for programs that align with and support our growth,” said Bob Sutherland, founder and president of Cherry Republic. “They do a great job initiating the conversation, asking about the projects we’re focused on, and then connecting us with opportunities that fit both our needs and MDARD’s mission. They make it incredibly easy for us, and that level of support has made a real difference.”
For more than two decades, Cherry Republic has achieved uninterrupted year-over-year growth. Following their latest planning cycle, the team is projecting another 35 percent growth over the next three years. The company is now looking to expand beyond Michigan’s borders for the first time. Additionally, Cherry Republic is adding new product lines and bringing more manufacturing in-house. The facility expansion was a major catalyst for this next chapter of Cherry Republic’s growth–streamlining logistics, strengthening management and dramatically improving efficiency.
In its 35th year of business, Cherry Republic holds a steadfast commitment to the farmers and farmland that grow Montmorency cherries. Without making these sizable improvements, the company would have been limited in the ways they could ideate and develop new market channels for their value-added products. Cherry Republic is positioned for its strongest era yet – rooted in the same spirit of innovation, quality and Michigan pride that has fueled its success from the beginning.
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The Michigan Brewers Guild has announced that July has once again been declared Michigan Beer Month! Breweries throughout Michigan provide various economic, social and agricultural benefits throughout the state. The beer industry has a total economic impact of $2.2 billion statewide; ranks 8th in the nation with more than 400 breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs; and supports Michigan agriculture through the purchase of hops, barley, wheat, beet sugar, various specialty crops and numerous other fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices grown in Michigan.
Michigan breweries are a vibrant expression of Michigan’s agricultural abundance, with brewers creating unique and delicious flavors with a variety of locally produced agricultural products. The bold flavor produced in Michigan highlights the culture of the state and makes the beer crafted here a special treat for those that come from around the country and the world.
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International Marketing
In June, MDARD continued creating market opportunities for Michigan food and agriculture businesses through trade shows that delivered $6.6 million in projected domestic sales and $675,000 in projected international sales over the next 12 months.
Two Michigan companies exhibited at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association Show (IDDBA) in Orlando June 7-9. Together, these companies achieved projected domestic sales of $310,000 and $25,000 in projected export sales over the next year.
MDARD also worked with 11 Michigan companies at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City June 28-30. These companies achieved a combined $6.29 million in projected domestic sales and $650,000 in projected export sales over the next 12 months.
One of the companies in attendance included Papa’s Brittle, a family owned and operated company based in Kalamazoo. Their brittle started from a 64-year-old family recipe and tradition, and they have grown since 2021 to build a legacy of quality and smooth flavor.
"I don't know what I would have done and would not have even been here if it was not for MDARD," said Doreen Gardner, founder of Papa's Brittle. "They have been one of the best resources or the best resource for me as I have grown in this business."
Visit our events page for more information about upcoming trade shows and other events!
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In June, two Michigan companies received Dairy Business Builder Grants from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research that helps dairy farmers and processors diversify and improve their profitability.
BigGoat Farm in Houghton received $100,000 in funding to equip its creamery, creating a new local access point for regionally produced dairy products. The grant will help this new producer commence operations and bring fresh foods to local communities.
Sanilac Creamery in Ann Arbor received $150,000 in funding to install an ultrafiltration membrane system to modernize their quark and cream cheese production. This system will replace a labor-intensive draining process with a closed, sanitary process that improves efficiency and supports new product development. In 2023, Sanilac Creamery received funding through MDARD’s value-added grant program to help construct a garage to receive raw milk directly into their production facility.
BigGoat Farm and Sanilac Creamery were two of 28 Midwestern Dairy businesses that received a combined $2.9 million in Dairy Business Builder Grants this week. The grant funding can be used for projects designed to diversify on-farm activity, create value-added products, enhance dairy by-products, or create or expand export programs.
Since its inception in 2018, the DBIA has awarded 329 grants worth more than $26 million to dairy businesses throughout the Midwest. Other recent Michigan recipients of the Dairy Business Builder grant include Annie G’s Dairy in Ann Arbor, Semifreddo, LLC in Grand Rapids and Sweet Temptations in Spring Lake.
The next DBIA grant application period will open in fall 2026 with application materials available August 3, 2026.
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Last week, MDARD announced nearly $500,000 of grant funding to build regenerative farmer networks that will promote sustainable farming throughout the state.
These farmer-led networks will focus on promoting the adoption and further development of regenerative agriculture practices that improve soil health and that promote the long-term resiliency and profitability of farms.
“What energizes us most is bringing together a community of farmers who share a passion for regenerative agriculture,” said Joe Hetrick, a farmer in the Regenerative Ecology & Livestock Integration Collective. “It’s a chance to trade ideas, support each other and invite both consumers and fellow producers to see firsthand how regenerative practices create healthier land, healthier food and resilient farms.”
Last week's grants will support the creation of the following 12 regenerative farmer networks:
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Ionia Resilient Farmer Network
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Regenerative Ecology & Livestock Integration Collective
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Michigan Forever Green Field Crops
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Northeastern Michigan (NEMI) Regenerative Ag Network
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Michigan RegenVine Network
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Grown in Detroit: Regenerative Network
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Southern Michigan Small Grains Pilot Network
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Washtenaw County Agroecology Network
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West Michigan Small Scale Regenerative Farmer Network
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Regenerative Tree Fruit Network
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Regenerative Pear Growers Network
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From The Ground League of Growers
Interested in joining one of the new regenerative farmer networks? Email MDARD-RFNG@michigan.gov for more information.
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Industry Opportunity
Two million dollars will be available as matching, reimbursement-based grants to support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate priorities by supplementing efforts to grow the statewide recycling rate and help ensure that communities that have historically had limited access to these types of resources can benefit from the program.
Michigan Organics Infrastructure Grants specifically target projects that:
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Increase access to food waste/food scrap collection and processing infrastructure while building diversity, equity, and inclusion across Michigan.
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Increase participation rate in existing food waste/food scrap composting and anaerobic digestion programs.
Fundable projects include but are not limited to:
The implementation of curbside food waste carts, new or improved drop-off food waste collection, public space food waste collection containers, school food waste collection or processing projects, food waste collection vehicles, multi-family food waste collection projects, and food waste processing projects.
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, tribal governments, school districts, universities/colleges, local health departments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities, businesses, corporations, and private sector entities located in Michigan.
The deadline for the Organics Infrastructure Grant RFP is August 14, 2026. View the RFP at Michigan.gov/MiRecycles.
Applicants are highly encouraged to discuss potential projects with your respective Recycling Specialist.
For more information about the RFP, please contact Emily Freeman, Recycling Unit Supervisor at FreemanE@Michigan.gov.
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Are you a home-based Michigan food producer?
Michigan cottage food businesses now have access to a new Voluntary Cottage Food Registration System, designed to support home-based food businesses as they grow. The new system, operated by the Michigan State University Product Center, allows these businesses to formally register. This allows businesses to use a code and their phone number instead of their address on their product labels.
Voluntary registration helps cottage food entrepreneurs:
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Market their product while keeping their address private
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Demonstrate legitimacy when selling at farmers markets, events or directly to consumers
By creating a centralized record of cottage food businesses, the new system also helps state and local partners better understand and support Michigan’s growing homebased food sector.
For more information on the Voluntary Cottage Food Registration System and details about registration, visit the MSU Product Center webpage.
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