Resources for Farmers, Producers, and Food Business Owners
The following resources, webinars, and guides were developed for food and farm businesses as part of the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center. Though USDA Regional Food Business Centers program has ended, these resources will remain freely available.
To continue working towards transformational food systems change, many of the original partners are collaborating through the Great Lakes Partnership for Food and Farm Development. Learn more about this partnership here,
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Developing Large-Scale Sustainable Local Egg Markets
Published on August 9, 2017
This brief explores a possible method to help local egg growers develop large-scale markets. -
Deciding to Process Beef, Hogs, or Deer in Small Meat Plants
Published on August 9, 2017
This brief presents simple principles to aid small meat plants in deciding whether and when to process one species over another. -
Regulatory Routes to Purchasing Michigan Meat
Published on July 13, 2017
This infographic is designed the help both buyers and sellers of meat understand meat processing regulation in Michigan. -
Tools for Assessing Economic Impact: A Primer for Food System Practitioners
Published on July 11, 2017
Designed for local food system practitioners, this guide presents summaries and comparisons of several tools for assessing economic impact and growth, along with related examples. -
Meat Marketing Series: Selling the Whole Animal and Managing Variability
Published on June 9, 2016
Demand for local meat has been growing exponentially for years. Actually building a successful and profitable meat marketing program is easier said than done. Our report outlines a general solution for the problems.
Per the USDA announcement on July 15, 2025, the Regional Food Business Centers program was terminated, prior to its original end date of July 2028. Because of this, the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center halted operations on September 15, 2025 and was unable to responsibly launch the Business Builder Subaward and assistance programs. Please see our related press release. Resources intended to help food and farm businesses will remain freely available on this website and additional resources can be found at foodsystems.msu.edu/resources.
Support for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center came from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers supported all 50 U.S. States and Territories, and were inclusive of all types of agricultural products produced locally or regionally.
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