Center for Regional Food Systems

Reports

• Local Food Interest by Institutions in Southeast Michigan: A Report for Eastern Market Corporation

  Published on February 18, 2013
  A 2012 survey of institutions in southeast Michigan, around Detroit, gathered information on their interest in purchasing food locally.

• The Michigan Farm Succession Study: Findings and Implications

  Published on September 20, 2012
  This report details findings about Michigan farm operations and farmers’ retirement and succession plans.

• Food Producers: Case Studies

  Published on June 4, 2012
  This document presents five case studies involving Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that are actively providing financial products and services to borrowers in the food production sector.

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  2012 Michigan Good Food Report Card

  Published on June 1, 2012
  The 2012 Michigan Good Food Report card describes progress toward the six main goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter since 2010.

• Financing Farming in the U.S.: Strengthening Metrics and Expanding Capital Access

  Published on May 14, 2012
  This report illustrates successful lending practices among community development financial institutions and their strategic partners, and summarizes steps to expand capital in the sector.

• Creating Change in the Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks in Iowa

  Published on March 31, 2012
  This report details the growth and achievements of the Regional Food Systems Working Group in Iowa since 2003.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.