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Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Wrap Up and Celebration: Peer to Peer with a Farmer

Published on May 5, 2026
During this session, Alex Ball, Founder and Owner of Old City Acres Farm, led a discussion on how he founded the farm and the various lessons learned along the way.This is the seventh and final webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Financial Fluency: How to Read the Numbers

Published on May 4, 2026
During this session, Andy Larson of Food Finance Institute of the Universities of Wisconsin System led a presentation on basic business accounting and business management. This is the sixth webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Legal: Intro to Farm Business Law and Liability Insurance

Published on May 3, 2026
During this session, Carolyn Johnson of LightStone Law led a presentation on Legal: Intro to Farm Business Law and Liability Insurance. This is the fifth webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Michigan Local Food Purchase Assistance Program - Impact Information Sheets

Published on April 23, 2026
The findings from the Michigan Local Food Purchase Assistance program evaluation survey demonstrate that investments in local supply chains can provide beneficial impacts for Michigan farmers and communities.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — HR: Hiring and Keeping Employees

Published on April 9, 2026
During this session, Carolina Puerta-Estevez, Founder and Director of Human Resources - Bilingual International Services led a presentation on HR: Hiring and Keeping Employees. This is the fourth webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Customer Insights & Marketing

Published on April 1, 2026
Erika Tebbens of Taste the Local Difference presented on growth planning and finding what works. This is the third webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms 2024-2025 Legislative Report

Published on March 24, 2026
Every year, the Michigan Department of Education submits a report to the state legislature about 10 Cents a Meal, to which 10 Cents a Meal partners contribute. This report shares information about the impacts of the 10 Cents a Meal program in 2024-2025.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Value Chain Coordination: Other Sales Avenues

Published on March 16, 2026
Paul Green, Sales Manager of Marrow Detroit Provisions, presented on 3 sectors of the value chain, discussed MI local food value chain coordinators, and outlined alternative models. This is the second webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Business Model: How to Scale for Growth

Published on March 11, 2026
Millie Chu, Founder and CEO of Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab, presented on five different business models for food businesses and methods for scaling for growth in this first webinar as part of the Emerging Farmer Learning Series.
Doubling Investment and Growing Impact: 10 Cents a Meal 2023–2024 Evaluation Results

Published on March 4, 2026
10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms was a state-funded local food purchasing incentive grant program that reimbursed 50% of the cost of fresh or minimally processed produce. Explore the evaluation findings of the 2023-2024 program year.
Loan Readiness Toolbox for Food and Farm Businesses

Published on February 12, 2026
The Toolbox includes resources for consumer-packaged goods manufacturers, caterers, restaurants, kitchen incubators, food trucks, and farmers who are ready to monitor and track their financial records and access financing in the next 18 – 24 months.
Developing Food Systems Plans: Considerations for Getting Started

Published on January 21, 2026
Food systems plans advance a set of goals and action priorities that address challenges in the food systems. This resource provides a list of considerations for a community- and stakeholder-led planning process.
Case Study: Growing a More Inclusive Muskegon County Food System

Published on January 15, 2026
Through synthesizing responses shared at listening sessions hosted by Lakeshore Flavor, this case study shares recommendations on how to nurture a Muskegon County Food System that more equitably reflects and empowers its community.
Findings of the 2025 National Food Hub Survey

Published on December 22, 2025
The 2025 National Food Hub Survey provides insights into food hub operations, financial viability, and sector trends post-COVID, based on data and experiences from 100 hubs across 27 states.
Conclusions and Recommendations from the Findings of the 2025 National Food Hub Survey

Published on December 22, 2025
The 2025 National Food Hub Survey collected and analyzed experiences of food hubs from the 2024 calendar year. To inform future support for food hubs, this resource includes a compiled list of recommendations provided by a national Community of Practice.
Biosecurity Standards and Practices For Ag-Professionals and Service Providers

Published on December 9, 2025
Ag-professionals who travel between farms have a responsibility to practice biosecurity standards when visiting farms. This protects animal health but also demonstrates awareness of the economic importance of disease prevention in the livestock industry.
Beginning Farmer Resource and Decision-Making Guide

Published on December 8, 2025
Beginning Farmer Resource & Decision-Making Guide main page
Demystifying Grant Terms

Published on December 5, 2025
Navigating grant funding can be complex and overwhelming - and it can be hard to know where to start! This guide aims to define basic grant terms and provide an understanding of terms that may be used for applying for funding.
Loan readiness for First Time Borrowers Resource Sheet

Published on December 5, 2025
In this resource sheet, you will find a loan readiness checklist, financing options, key terms, and quick tip to help prepare food and farm business entrepreneurs for their first time through the lending process.
Beginning Food and Farm Business Market Access

Published on November 25, 2025
Food and farm business owners in the early stages of launching and marketing their business can explore multiple resources to learn how to increase sales and enter new markets.