New Partnership Provides Assistance for Agriculture Businesses in Northwest Michigan

Farmers and other agriculture businesses can access a variety of assistance programs through the new Northwest Michigan Regional Agriculture Business Services Partnership. The partnership brings together the services of an agriculture innovation counselor, an agriculture business counselor, and the Northwest Michigan Agriculture and Food System Sector Alliance.

"The Regional Agriculture Business Partnership will give farmers and agriculture business owners easy access to information and resources they can use to improve their business, develop new products, or start a new business," said Elaine Wood, CEO, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG).

The Regional Agriculture Business Partnership was formed by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), Michigan State University Extension, the MSU Product Center, and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC). The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) has also been instrumental in providing leadership to form this partnership. Funding for the partnership is being provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and MSU Extension.

"This partnership continues MSU Extension's proud history of supporting Michigan's agriculture industry by helping entrepreneurs develop and commercialize high-value products in the agriculture, natural resources and bio-economy sectors," said Patrick Cudney, MSU Extension District Coordinator.

The partnership will offer assistance in a variety of ways including product development, marketing, business plans, financing, education and training, and farm production and distribution.

For more information about the Northwest Michigan Regional Agriculture Business Partnership contact:

• Susan Cocciarelli, Coordinator of the Agriculture and Food System Sector Alliance at NWMCOG. 231-929-5096, susancocciarelli@nwm.cog.mi.us
• Mary Rogers, Regional Director of the MI-SBTDC at NWMCOG. 231-922-3782, maryrogers@nwm.cog.mi.us
• Wendy Wieland, Innovation Counselor, MSU Extension. 231-582-6482, wieland5@msu.edu

Agriculture businesses can also request assistance by going to the Northwest Michigan Agriculture and Food System Sector Alliance website at: nwm.org/food-system .

 

The Northwest Michigan Regional Agriculture Business Services Partnership offers a variety of assistance to farmers and other agriculture businesses. The Partnership was formed by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, Michigan State University Extension, the MSU Product Center and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. Watch the video to see highlights from a press conference where the partnership was announced.

 

 

Related Info:  Agriculture and Food System Sector Alliance