MDARD Awards Value Added & Regional Food System Grant Projects

Agency: Agriculture and Rural Development

12 proposals to receive $708,625 in funds to help grow Michigan food and agriculture businesses

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2015 Media Contact: Heather Throne, throneh@michigan.gov or 517-284-5725

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced the projects awarded funds under the competitive Value Added and Regional Food System Grant Program. "The awarded proposals reflect the diversity and opportunities within Michigan's $101 billion food and agriculture industry," said Clover Adams. "These projects illustrate the critical role the food and agriculture sector plays in our state's economic reinvention, and existing local business expansion while strengthening Michigan's impact in the global marketplace." The department received 52 proposals with requests totaling $3 million. Of those, MDARD awarded the following projects:   • Boss Mouse Cheese, of Kingsley - $75,000   Expansion and renovation of their artisan cheese making facility. • Byrne Family Farm, LLC, of Attica - $38,223   Expansion of hydroponic lettuce and culinary herb production using vertical farming with LED grow lights.  • C3 Seeds, of Niles -  $74,250   Development of a seed cleaning facility. • Corey Lake Orchards, of Three Rivers - $48,352   Expanding and increasing production and promotion of Michigan wine, spirits, and hard cider.  • Corpolongo Smith Farm, LLC, of Ontonagon - $37,792   Expansion of the production of minimally processed produce and dehydrated snack foods in the Upper Peninsula.  • FarmLink, of Grand Rapids - $73,197   Expansion project to increase their web-based wholesale food exchange. • Fenn Valley Vineyards, of Fennville - $75,000   Enhancement of their fermentation capacity and apple cider processing.  • Indian Brook Trout Farm, Inc., of Jackson - $75,000   Expansion of a larger and diversified market for Michigan fish. • Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, of Houghton - $47,287   Evaluate the methods for a cost effective harvesting and drying solutions for small-scale hops growers.  • King Orchards, of Central Lake - $75,000   Expansion of bottling and labeling equipment to expand export markets.  • Potawatomi Resource Conservation & Development Council, of Marshall - $14,524   Expansion of Black Walnut production in Michigan.  • Purity Foods, of Hudson - $75,000   Expand their facility to add the capability to sprout, dry and malt specialty grains. MDARD promotes and manages several competitive grant programs through the Office of Agriculture Development.  More about these programs can be found on MDARD’s website: www.michigan.gov/mdard.                                                             ### Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/MIDeptofAgriculture Follow us on Twitter: @MichDeptofAg Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: youtube.com/MIAgriculture