Center for Regional Food Systems Michigan’s Emerging Farmers

To support Michigan’s Emerging Farmers, the Network for Inclusive Farm Business Engagement (NIFBE) seeks to build a statewide network of educators and technical assistance experts in Michigan. This collaborative effort will enhance provider skills, expand resources, and improve outreach and engagement strategies with the ultimate goal of strengthening support for farming communities to better utilize USDA programs across the state.

Through the efforts of this project, more Michigan producers will be able to access business technical assistance to connect with USDA resources and market opportunities, address business finances, risk assessment strategies, production and food safety education, and land use tools along with legal and tax issue support. 

This project is funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in a cooperative agreement with members of the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Michigan State University Extension, and Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS).  

History of this Webpage:

The original goal of Michigan’s Emerging Farmers was to keep farmers farming, farmland in production, and food local and regional. Initially, this effort was a collaboration between partner organizations: Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, and Michigan State University’s Student Organic Farm. It was a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Project, funded from 2014 - 2017 by the United States Department of Agriculture. Although the grant has ended, the need for this work continues.

Acknowledgement

This work is supported by the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Initiative program, project award no. 2023-70417-39233, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.