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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Announces Specialty Crop Grant Opportunity

The grants, ranging from $10,000 to $75,000, enhance the competitiveness of the state's specialty crops, including, but not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, increased knowledge and consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, good agricultural practices, good handling practices, and good manufacturing practices.

Grant proposals must be received by MDARD no later than March 9, 2012.LEARN MORE

Rural Services

 Growing companies one plant at a time

If manufacturing is the engine driving West Michigan’s economy, agriculture and food processing are the fuel feeding it.

Contributing more than $1.5 billion to the regional economy, West Michigan’s agricultural and food processing clusters are among the top 25 percent of their U.S. peers in terms of overall production. More than 8,000 farms on nearly 1.2 acres of land produce $671 million in crop sales and $800 in livestock sales each year.

The Right Place collaborates with state and local resources to support this important industry, providing access to training programs, financial programs and business development services.

In addition, The Right Place holds contracts with Ionia and Newaygo counties to provide additional marketing and support.