How Do I Find Support Organizations?
There are many organizations across Michigan and beyond that exist to support farmers, whether you are looking to connect with other farmers, are looking for funding or resources, or if you have a question about production.
What organizations provide education and relevant informational resources?
What organizations support finding or keeping farmland?
What organizations can help me access markets?
Where can I meet other farmers?
What organizations fund farms and farmers?
What organizations provide education and relevant informational resources?
Organization |
Description |
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The National Center for Appropriate Technology’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program supports farmers, ranchers, agriculture educators, and land managers at every stage of their agricultural journey. |
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ATTRA es una fuente fiable de información sobre agricultura sostenible y mantiene una base de conocimientos de recursos multimedia prácticos para los agricultores, ganaderos, y educadores. |
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These curated educational offerings cover basic, startup information for beginning farmers interested in engaging in new agricultural enterprises. |
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Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) |
CRFS advances research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems. |
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The Cornell Small Farms Program supports farmers at all phases of small farm business development by engaging farmers at the front-end of challenges they face and also introducing them to new and emerging opportunities. |
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Apoyamos a los productores en todas las fases del desarrollo de pequeñas empresas agrícolas. |
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Crosshatch is building thriving place-based cultures and economies centered around regenerative agriculture, arts, craft, and light industry. |
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Farm Aid’s goal is to connect you with helpful services, resources and opportunities specific to your individual needs. This resource is available in English and Spanish. |
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Farm Commons provides legal workshops, timely resources, and a community for farmers, ranchers, and their service providers. |
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The Food Systems Leadership Network is a national peer learning community that connects current and emerging leaders, strengthens individual and collective leadership capacity, and fosters collaboration across communities. |
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MIFFS connects beginning and historically underserved farmers to resources and peer networks and provides food safety/ GroupGAP and USDA navigation materials. |
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Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety resources and technicians are a free, voluntary, confidential and non-regulatory resource for fresh produce farmers. |
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MOFFA promotes organic agriculture, provides intensive trainings, and maintains organic farm resources. |
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MSU Extension brings trusted, research-backed knowledge to where it’s needed most: your home, your farm, your business, or your neighborhood. |
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MSBF promotes business practices that advance climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy. |
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The Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a network that supports transitioning and organic farmers with mentorship, learning opportunities and resources. |
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MSU AgBioResearch scientists work to discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. |
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Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program (OFTP) |
The Organic Farmer Training Program trains farmers through in-depth discussions, hands-on learning, and farm visits to make your farm dreams a reality. |
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Michigan State University Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning, and Innovation (DPFLI) |
The DPFLI serves as Michigan State University's first urban agriculture center, dedicated to research and programming to improve the quality of life for Detroit residents and farmers. |
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The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. |
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Working across agricultural sectors and collaboratively through coalitions, the Rural Advancement Foundations combines on-the-ground practical services and policy advocacy to ensure farmers have access to the tools they need to make the right choices for their farms and families, as well as for their communities and the environment. |
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The SGSO Network is an open peer-to-peer learning network with the goal of growing, sustaining and elevating a movement of equitable garden-based education. |
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SCORE fosters vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. |
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From building marketing strategies and tools for your neighborhood farm market to helping shoppers find a great source of local eggs, TLD knows local and shares it with you! |
What organizations support finding or keeping farmland?
Organization |
Description |
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American Farmland Trust works to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. |
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Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund is a coalition with a collective mission to rebuild inter-generational land ownership for Black Farmers in Detroit. |
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MI Farm Link secures Michigan’s agricultural heritage for future generations by bridging the gap between farmers seeking land with farmland owners. |
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The West MI Farmers of Color land fund’s goal is to support people of color who want to grow food in West Michigan. gofundme.com/f/dtuz62-west-michigan-farmers-of-color-land-fund |
What organizations can help me access markets?
Organization |
Description |
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Ample Harvest lists pantries where your farm or garden can donate surplus produce. |
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
MDARD offers grants, regulatory guidance, and market development support. |
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MIFMA supports markets and vendors with education, technical assistance, and food access programming. |
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The Michigan Food Hub Network brings food hubs together to create something larger than the sum of its parts: A network of regional food distributors across the state dedicated to supporting the growth and success of Michigan’s local food economy. |
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The MSU Product Center supports innovation and growth for business, industry and entrepreneurs in food/beverage, agriculture, and natural resource sectors. |
Where can I meet other farmers?
Organization |
Description |
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Annie’s Project empowers women in agriculture by hosting educational and networking events and sharing stories. |
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Black Farmers’ Network is a site for rural, African-American farmers to share stories, products and services in a now digital-driven economy. |
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Conservation districts are local providers of natural resource management services that help citizens implement conservation on their land and protect the environment for a cleaner, healthier, and economically stronger Michigan. |
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Crosshatch is building thriving place-based cultures and economies centered around regenerative agriculture, arts, craft, and light industry. |
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Michigan Ag Council promotes Michigan agriculture through consumer outreach and marketing. |
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The Michigan CSA Network exists as a platform for CSA farmers and support organizations to meet, learn, collaborate and network to achieve the goals of small farm viability and increased food access and equity. |
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Michigan Farmers Union is a membership-driven organization that is committed to enhancing the quality of life of family farmers through educational opportunities, co-operative endeavors and civic engagement. |
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This directory contains information on Michigan local food councils and food policy councils. canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-local-food-councils-directory |
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The National Black Farmers Association is a non-profit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States. |
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The National Young Farmers Coalition is a farmer-led, grassroots network shifting power and changing policy to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. We are the largest unified voice calling for farm policy that will deliver a bright future for young farmers and ranchers in the U.S. |
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The Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative strengthens the regional economy by supporting local growers, food businesses, and supply chains that create jobs and build long-term economic stability in Northeast Michigan. |
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The Organic Farmers Association provides a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers. |
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West Michigan Growers’ Group provides collective marketing and buying, collaborative work, bartering labor and tools, and monthly gatherings for new and established farmers. |
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Michigan’s Emerging Farmers site shares resources, opportunities, and support for Michigan agriculture producers and farming communities. |
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West Michigan Young Farmers Coalition advances the conversation around equitable land access in West Michigan and beyond to bring attention to vital resources needed to close the gap present for BIPOC farmers realizing their land ownership dreams and having the resources they need to thrive. |
What organizations provide education and relevant informational resources?
What organizations fund farms and farmers?
Organization |
Description |
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The Black Farmer Fund nurtures black community wealth & health by investing in black agricultural systems in the Northeast. |
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Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund is a coalition with a collective mission to rebuild inter-generational land ownership for Black Farmers in Detroit. |
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Kiva U.S. aims to support business owners through 0% interest loans. |
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
MDARD offers grants, regulatory guidance, and market development support. |
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Michigan Good Food Fund provides flexible financing and tailored business assistance to support the success of food and farm entrepreneurs and to grow a more resilient, inclusive local food system. |
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The Native American Agriculture Fund is a private, charitable trust that envisions a future where Native farmers and ranchers thrive and play a crucial role in land stewardship and the Nation’s economic viability. |
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The NextCycle Resource Library lists grants including but not limited to circular economy endeavors such as food waste diversion. |
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SARE North Central Region administers several grant programs, as well as learning opportunities and resources for farmers interested in sustainable agriculture. |
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Northern Initiatives provides money and know-how to small business owners throughout Michigan. |
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Potlikker Capital is a charitable loan fund that supports socially and economically disadvantaged agricultural producers and processors nationwide. |
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Root Capital partners with agricultural enterprises so that their success can foster more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient rural communities. |
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S2G Ventures invests in market-based solutions across the food system that help improve environmental and human health outcomes. |
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The Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses is a directory created to support and benefit food-related businesses. |
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