Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Business Model: How to Scale for Growth
March 11, 2026 - Jazmin Bolan-Williamson, Bekah Galang
Print
EmailMichigan’s Emerging Farmers and the Michigan Good Food Fund hosted the first session of the Emerging Farmers Learning Series on March 4, 2026. During this session, Millie Chu, Founder and CEO of Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab, led a presentation on Business Model: How to Scale for Growth.
Millie introduced five business models:
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales
- Produce or food items are sold directly to the people who eat it.
- Food Hub / Aggregation
- Food hubs connect smaller food businesses to larger markets, like schools, restaurants, and stores.
- Cooperative / Community Owned
- Members —producers, workers, consumers– share ownership.
- Value-Added Products
- Transform raw agricultural products into higher-margin processed goods.
- Hybrid / Blended Revenue
- Combine multiple revenue streams strategically.
She further discussed how to find the business model that fits your business, the Values-Integrated Business Model Canvas, and emphasized the importance of scaling sustainably.
Millie has shared her presentation along with a workbook to help farmers determine which model works best for their business.
About Michigan Good Food Fund
Michigan Good Food Fund invests in food and farm entrepreneurs across the state, offering flexible financing and tailored business assistance to grow a more resilient, inclusive local food system. We meet entrepreneurs where they are, connect them with what they need, and build long-term relationships that help their businesses thrive. As we work toward a more resilient, inclusive food industry, we focus on entrepreneurs whose access to power and capital has been historically limited because of their race, ethnicity, and/or gender. Our efforts are guided by the shared vision of our Stakeholder Board, a diverse group of entrepreneurs, farmers, funders, and policymakers with deep roots in Michigan. Learn more at https://migoodfoodfund.org/
About Michigan’s Emerging Farmers
Our statewide program aims to create pathways to growth and economic opportunity for all of Michigan’s agricultural producers, including small- to mid-sized farmers. 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).
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.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
