MDARD Awards Grants to Build Capacity and Readiness for Underserved Food and Agriculture Businesses Across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. - Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded nearly $340,000 in Underserved Food and Agriculture Business Capacity Building Grants to seven companies across the state. These grants are aimed at providing technical assistance support to build capacity and readiness for underserved food and agriculture businesses in Michigan communities.

"Governor Whitmer's most recent bipartisan budget echoes her commitment to ensuring everyone can 'Make it in Michigan', especially within our growing food and agriculture sector," said Director Tim Boring. "These grants allow MDARD to support traditionally underserved businesses as they work to fulfill local needs while further strengthening local supply chains. We know community-based small businesses are the heartbeat of Michigan agriculture and at MDARD, we're committed to supporting these businesses by creating new economic opportunities for growth."

"Increasing access to resources and support is vital to ensuring Michigan entrepreneurs can succeed," State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-Benton Harbor.) "This funding will help build capacity and economic opportunities in our local community."

"Today's announcement demonstrates Governor Whitmer's and the legislature's commitment to investing in historically under-engaged communities," said State Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Redford.) "I'm thrilled to play a part in supporting these new opportunities for underserved food and agriculture businesses. Let's keep Making it in Michigan!"

These grant funds, allocated in Public Act 119 Section 902, are designed to support underserved food and agriculture businesses with collaborative planning and capacity building initiatives that advance efforts to address local needs including, but not limited to, development of business plans, grant management training, partnership development, and financial investment planning.

The department received 24 proposals with requests totaling more than $1.1 million. MDARD awarded the following seven projects totaling $339,500:

• Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation - $50,000 (Berrien County) - This project is to cultivate strong linkages between the Southwest Michigan growers' network and food vendors in the city of Benton Harbor by providing comprehensive technical training and business readiness support.
• Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN)- $50,000 (Wayne County) - DBCFSN will support Detroit Grow Moore Producer, a Black grower cooperative in Detroit, with preparing for local and regional production, processing, aggregation, and distribution to build the base of a Black farmer-led food hub as a site of resource development and business training. DBCFSN will facilitate the development of a horizontal technical assistance provider network that is farmer-led and farmer-centered.
• Growing Hope- $48,500 (Washtenaw County) - Growing Hope will focus on developing further business incubation support through individual business coaching, mentorship, and educational programming to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge needed to grow their ventures in addition to making a licensed commercial kitchen space available for underserved food businesses.
• Lakeshore Flavor- $50,000 (Muskegon County) - The Synergy Program seeks to provide comprehensive and customized support to underserved growers, farmers, and food businesses along the Lakeshore to enable sustainable business advancement and contribute to a diversified and fair local food economy in Muskegon County. The project will cover business plan creation, financial management, market analysis, and food safety regulations.
• LEAP Coaching & Consulting LLC - $42,000 (Huron County) - Nourishing Diversity is a seven-month project aimed at providing technical assistance to underserved business owners in Michigan who operate within the food and agricultural sector. Led by experienced professionals, this project offers comprehensive support to ensure these businesses are well-prepared to apply for grants and secure vital resources for growth and sustainability. The project aims to assist with providing effective grant strategies, enhance grant readiness, and increase their competitiveness in securing grant funding.
• Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) - $49,000 (Ingham County) - MIFFS, in collaboration with Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, Equity and Access Group, Keep Growing Detroit, and Michigan State University, will support underserved farm businesses participating in the Farm Business Management for the Global Majority program obtain o culturally appropriate technical assistance from underserved service providers to build capacity for collaborative strategic planning, partnership development, business viability, and improved readiness for funding opportunities.
• North Flint Reinvestment Corporation Inc. (NFRC) - $50,000 (Genesee County) -The project will expand NFRC's summer Stop & Shop food vendor events (previously hosted at Eagle's Nest Academy, directly across the street from the new Food Market) and build the capacity of local micro business owners, farmers, and artisan to be supported and successful operating in the North Flint corridor. This grant will provide technical assistance, consulting, and grant writing support.

The proposals were evaluated through a competitive process. The entities awarded will provide technical assistance for a new round of Value Added, Regional Food Systems and Underserved grants opening in the fall of 2024. For more information about this grant program, visit https://www.Michigan.gov/MDARDGrants.

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