Center for Regional Food Systems

Reports

• Fostering Farm-to-MSU Efforts: Research to Guide Closer Ties with Michigan Agriculture

  Published on August 31, 2010
  This study overviews current local food purchasing practices at MSU and develops models that could enhance and strengthen MSU’s engagement in buying local and Michigan-produced food items.

• Financing Farming in the U.S.: Improving Small and Midsized Farms through Strategic Financing

  Published on August 16, 2010
  This report explores the gap between an emerging sector of smaller-scale agriculture producers and access to capital, and devises workable strategies to create successful farmer-lender relationships.

• The Food System as an Economic Driver: Strategies and Applications for Michigan

  Published on August 10, 2010
  View the results of an input-output analysis for Michigan under the scenario where all residents meet the USDA's fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines by eating more seasonally available Michigan grown fresh produce.

• Financing Farming in the U.S.: A Report on Six Working Sessions

  Published on July 30, 2010
  This report chronicles the convening of people across the country over a six-month period to explore workable strategies to create successful farmer-lender relationships.

• Growing Food in the City: The Production Potential of Detroit's Vacant Land

  Published on June 15, 2010
  This report presents some the possibilities as well as expressed desirability of food cultivation on the publicly-owned vacant land in Detroit.

• Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses

  Published on June 15, 2010
  Farmers can use this information to develop a business plan for hoophouse production.

• The Food System: A Potential Future

  Published on May 18, 2010
  In this report, Mike Hamm examines a potential vision for our food system and food security, looking at issues such as water scarcity and biodiversity.

• Financing Michigan's Sustainable Agriculture

  Published on December 18, 2009
  The survey results available in this report show that although there is financial capital available in Michigan, farmers face challenges accessing it.

• Consumer Demand for Local Produce at Extended Season Farmers' Markets

  Published on September 18, 2009
  This paper addresses the role of hoophouses and season extension practices in supporting increasing consumer demand for locally grown food.

• Emerging Farmers Initiative and Agriculture Individual Development Accounts

  Published on June 19, 2009
  The grant evaluated in this report was intended to increase the viability of small farm start-ups through the provision of a cash match to personal savings.

• Michigan New Farm Development: Case Studies from the Southwest Michigan Emerging Farmers Initiative

  Published on June 1, 2009
  This report details the emerging farmers initiative in Southwest Michigan.

• The Economics of Pasture Raised Animal Products: Food, Markets and Community

  Published on July 13, 2007
  This paper examines the current market and potential future for pasture raised animal products.

• Pasture-based Agriculture: Overviews and Opportunities

  Published on July 3, 2007
  There is great potential to expand the market and address the unmet demand for pasture-raised products.

• Opportunities in Grazing Dairy Farms: Assessing Future Options

  Published on July 2, 2007
  This paper examines proven alternative methods of dairy production as a means of supporting Michigan's diverse dairy industry.

• Evaluation of the Saginaw County Family Gardening Project

  Published on June 12, 2007
  This report examines the Saginaw County Family Gardening Project, a project intended to promote family gardening as a means to improve individuals’ diet, health and physical activity levels.

• Lessening the Distance from Farm to Fork

  Published on September 30, 2006
  This report was produced by partnering with thirteen Michigan communities to stimulate and support community approaches to lessening the distance between food production and food consumption.

• Eat Fresh and Grow Jobs, Michigan

  Published on September 15, 2006
  This report examines the impact when existing farmers have doubled or tripled their sale of fruits and vegetables to fresh produce markets.

• Farm to School Opportunities in Michigan: What do Food Service Directors Say?

  Published on September 20, 2004
  This survey identifies interests, opportunities and barriers to food services directors incorporating Michigan-grown foods into their school lunch programs.