West Michigan community supported agriculture (CSAs) groups got a boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently via a two-year $94,000 grant to Local First Educational Foundation, the West Michigan Growers Group (WMGG) and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension.
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nLocal First, WMGG and MSU Extension will collaborate to help farmers expand their CSA programs, according to a news release announcing the grant on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
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“We are looking forward to working with these partners to grow our local food economy and support farmers,” said Elissa Hillary, executive director of Local First. “Local farms are the heartbeat of agriculture in West Michigan, and both farmers and consumers will benefit from the increased exposure of CSAs.”
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“The goal of this collaboration is to both grow the demand for CSA’s through educating West Michigan residents about the health, relational, and economic benefits of eating local, and strengthen the supply by supporting farmers with resources to manage that growth. Furthermore, the grant supports further development of the WMGG,” according to a Local First news release.
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CSAs are designed to give farmers a stable income, the ability to plan ahead for their budget and harvest, and connect with their community. In turn, community members gain an understanding about the seasonality of local produce.
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“As a network of over 50 small farms, the WMGG builds community, cooperation, and camaraderie between farmers through sharing experience, knowledge, and resources,” the news release said. “MSU Extension helps grow Michigan’s agricultural economy and provides resources to individuals, communities, and businesses.”
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Local First also announced it has hired Rachelle Bostwick, master of Earthkeeper Farm and a director of the WMGG, to be its new farm coordinator. She will build and retain relationships to improve the lives of farmers and the growth of small farms, the announcement said.
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“I look forward to helping improve the economic viability of small farms through building community and business relationships, increasing public understanding and use of local foods, and creating a stronger local food economy,” Bostwick said.
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The Local First grant is part of $52 million awarded by the USDA to organizations throughout the U.S. to grow organic and local food economies. Local First is one of eight USDA grant recipients in Michigan, and the only recipient in West Michigan.
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Other Michigan grant recipients include:
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• $89,152 to Sprout Urban Farm, Battle Creek, MI, to increase Sprout Foot Hub sales to institutions and the public by establishing a market-stand and packaging facility on its farm site.
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• $20,582 to Broad Street Events, Inc., Chesaning, MI, to promote the farmers’ market in downtown Chesaning.
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• $53,310 to the City of Harrison, Harrison, MI, to operate, and increase consumer and farmer participation in, a new downtown indoor-and-outdoor farmers market, retail incubator, and community kitchen.
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• $47,758 to Grow Benzie, Benzonia, MI, for advertising and promotion of its farmers’ market and incubator kitchen.
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• $73,700 to the Michigan Land Use Institute, Traverse City, MI, to expand the 10-counties Taste the Difference local food marketing program.
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• $99,660 to Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems for the Michigan Farmers’ Market Association, East Lansing, to develop a farmers’ market manager mentorship program, expand the Market Management Certificate Program, and invest in long-term strategic planning and professional development.
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• $90,378 to the Allen Neighborhood Group, Lansing, MI, to expand and promote its Winter Farmers’ Market, Hunter Park Garden-House CSA, and Allen Market Place Kitchen projects.
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