MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

In a recent blog post, FAS Fellow Maria Graziani explores key questions concerning the needs of diverse producers in mid-tier agriculture. She also examines potential ways to bridge existing gaps in support. This blog is part of ongoing efforts by the Racial Equity in the Food System Workgroup community of practice, which includes the launch of a new podcast series called Reaching for Equity in All Lives (REAL) Talks. https://lnkd.in/esyNHnaJ Federation of American Scientists

Do you know a Farm to ECE Champion? Nominate them for the Michigan Grow More Award! The Grow More Award is intended to acknowledge early care and education providers and farmers and food producers doing extraordinary work in farm to early care and education (farm to ECE). Farm to ECE in Michigan includes local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening for children ages 0-5 in early care and education settings. Children, families, early care and education providers, and farmers all benefit from farm to ECE. Nominations are due by Friday, September 1, 2024. https://lnkd.in/e-Ez8saM

You’re invited! Join us at the UP Food Distribution Symposium at Barrel & Beam on 9/24. This day-long solutions workshop will feature keynote speakers from across the country and include facilitated roundtables for action-oriented conversations. Register here: https://bit.ly/UPFOOD

REAL Talks explores diversity, equity, and inclusion in the food and agriculture system. Tune into this new episode for a discussion on how federal programming and funding can be used to respond to the needs of Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic producers. https://lnkd.in/eBW5YcQd

Do you know a Farm to ECE Champion? Nominate them for the Michigan Grow More Award! The Grow More Award is intended to acknowledge early care and education providers and farmers and food producers doing extraordinary work in farm to early care and education (farm to ECE). Farm to ECE in Michigan includes local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening for children ages 0-5 in early care and education settings. Children, families, early care and education providers, and farmers all benefit from farm to ECE. Nominations are due by Friday, September 1, 2024. https://lnkd.in/e-Ez8saM

We're celebrating a year with Mel Hill as Communications Manager at CRFS! She supports every aspect of the Center through design, problem-solving, and creativity. Mel shares, "I am honored to get to work with such a talented and dedicated team co-creating more sustainable and equitable food systems in Michigan and beyond. I hope to continue uplifting powerful stakeholder voices sharing their stories of experimentation, struggle and success in creating systems of good food." From all of us as CRFS, thank you for your kindness and hard work!

In this Civil Eats story, Farm Stops Create New Markets for Small Farms, Jazmin Bolan-Williamson, CRFS Farm and Food Business Coordinator shares her insights into how to make farm stops successful and some of the financing challenges for these businesses connecting community and small farms. Read the whole story here: https://lnkd.in/ejRF49Jn

What you need to know: Grants 101 webinar Thursday, August 22, 2024, 11:30 AM CT | 12:30 PM ET https://lnkd.in/eadqe8uy Join the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center and featured speakers for this webinar to learn tips on writing grant applications as a food and farm business entrepreneur. This session will be recorded and shared online following the event.

Do you know a Farm to ECE Champion? Nominate them for the Michigan Grow More Award! The Grow More Award is intended to acknowledge early care and education providers and farmers and food producers doing extraordinary work in farm to early care and education (farm to ECE). Farm to ECE in Michigan includes local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening for children ages 0-5 in early care and education settings. Children, families, early care and education providers, and farmers all benefit from farm to ECE. Nominations are due by Friday, September 1, 2024. https://lnkd.in/e-Ez8saM

The next MLFCN phone/video call will be on Thursday, August 15 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. if you’re interested in participating ping me and I’ll send the link! This month, we'll be hosting a mini digital retreat to reconnect our network of food systems leaders, innovators, and change makers to their roots with "Food through the Lens of Equity and Joy," hosted by Food Systems Strategist Lucy Flores of Studio Magic Hour. Food system work often frames food through the lens of nutrition. Although we depend on food for our sustenance, what does it look like to value food as connection to land and waters, history and memory, culture and identity, ourselves, one another, and community? What if we took it a step further and grounded our work in joy and equity? During this monthly call, we'll discuss the limitations of a nutrition-focused framework and the essential ways in which we can expand our perspectives on food in our community work. The call will also include state and federal legislative updates and conclude with offers, requests, and connections. Please let Keesa ([email protected]), Kolia ([email protected]) or Jordan ([email protected]) know if there are topics you want to discuss on future calls.