New partnership between MSU CANR and Domino’s enhancing food education in Detroit
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EmailDomino’s support will expand hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities at the DPFLI, equipping students with practical skills in urban agriculture and food processing to strengthen Detroit’s food system.
The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and Domino’s Pizza are teaming up to train youth to be future farmers and food entrepreneurs in Detroit.
Through this new partnership, the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation (DPFLI) is piloting a Youth Farm Managers Program, a hands-on initiative designed to mentor and teach young urban farmers.
Founded in 2017, the DPFLI is MSU’s first urban agriculture center. A 3.3-acre working farm located in northwest Detroit in the Brightmoor neighborhood, the DPFLI advances creative solutions to environmental, economic and nutritional challenges. Part of MSU Extension, it is dedicated to research and programming that improves the quality of life for people in Detroit and beyond.
In collaboration with the Randolph Career and Technical Center Agriscience Program, Domino’s support is widening the impact and expanding the reach of the Youth Farm Managers program. With a goal of training 50 participants per year, the program will provide students with real-world experience learning alongside professional farmers and urban agriculture experts at the DPFLI and partner farms.
“This investment positions us to more effectively serve, lift up and prepare young people in Detroit interested with careers in food and agriculture,” stated Naim Edwards, director of the DPFLI. “This is an investment in opportunity. Through this partnership, we are activating the next generation of leaders in agriculture, food entrepreneurship and sustainability, while enhancing our local food system. We are grateful for Domino’s support and look forward to deepening our partnership in the future.”
“There is no pizza without farmers. We rely on them to provide all the delicious toppings, cheese and ingredients that make our pizza so delectable,” said Catherine Brown, Domino’s manager of community relations. “Farming and agriculture are a vital part of our past, present and future. That’s why our partnership with MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is so important – it allows us to invest in the future of farming and agriculture.”
Built on the former grounds of the Thomas C. Houghten Elementary School, the DPFLI is home to more than 220 species of plants, including over 50 different fruit and nut crops. The site was developed intentionally, creating an edible landscape that enhances the aesthetic and ecological value of the site while strengthening the food supply of the neighborhood.
Participants in the Youth Farm Manager Program will gain hands-on experience working with a wide variety of crops, while also developing essential skills in food processing, preparation and preservation. This comprehensive training offers students a holistic understanding of the food system, from soil to table.
The partnership marks a significant step toward building a resilient, community-driven food system in Detroit, while empowering next-generation career pathways. As the program grows, Domino’s and DPFLI look forward to deepening their collaboration and expanding opportunities for program participants in 2025 and beyond.
About Domino’s:
Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout. It ranks among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 21,700 stores in over 90 markets. Domino’s had global retail sales of over $19.7 billion in the trailing four quarters ended Sept. 7, 2025. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for 99% of Domino’s stores as of the end of the third quarter of 2025. In the U.S., Domino’s generated more than 85% of U.S. retail sales in 2024 via digital channels and has developed many innovative ordering platforms.
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About CANR:
As MSU’s founding college, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has a storied history tackling the world’s biggest problems related to food, health and the environment. From classrooms and labs to farm fields and forests, CANR Spartans are crafting solutions in Michigan that have a global impact. A vibrant academic community, CANR encompasses 12 academic units, MSU Extension, MSU AgBioResearch and the Institute of Agricultural Technology.
