Food & Farming Network COVID-19 Resource Document
2018 Farm Route to Prosperity Summit Slide Set
Food and Farming Network Policy Letter
Early in 2018, the Food and Farming Network wrote a letter to express our support for policy initiatives we believe will bring a healthier, more localized food system that is better off for all members of the community.
This letter functions as a series of endorsements for these policy proposal authoring organizations:
American Farmland Trust, The National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition, The Native Farm Bureau, The American Farm Bureau Federation. We recognize the specific endorsements within this letter acting as our stance on policy related issues, specifically, those we would like to see brought into action at the national level.
This letter was both mailed and e-mailed to the offices of Pat Roberts, Debbie Stabenow, Mike Conaway, and Collin Peterson, who are the members of the House of Representatives and Senate working on the 2019 Farm Bill.
The Northwest Michigan Food and Farming Network Policy Letter 2018
2017 Guide to Food Assistance and Eating Local
One project funded by our 2016 mini-grants (see report below) was the creation of a “Guide to Food Assistance and Eating Local.” Developed by over 10 organizations affiliated with our Food Access Task Force, this is a comprehensive, community-based resource. It includes information on a broad range of topics, from tips to shopping at farmer’s markets to food preservation methods and much more. Printed versions are being distributed to limited-income families at food pantries throughout our region. View a preview and access the full version through the link below.
A Guide to Food Assistance and Eating Local
2016 Mini-Grant Report
In 2016, the Food and Farming Network began awarding “mini-grants”—small amounts of seed money for innovative, collaborative projects to enhance our local food system. This comprehensive report includes information on the grant requirements and details on each of the eight community projects that the grants helped to fund.
2016 Mini-Grant Survey Results
In the spring of 2016, the Food and Farming Network awarded funds to eight community projects that focused on our network action areas and collaboration. For an overview of these projects, please visit the 2016 Mini-Grant report on our resources page. With the support of Northsky Nonprofit Network, we developed a survey for the mini-grant recipients to complete when their project period was over. The survey gauged new and strengthened levels of connection within the network, and asked how we might improve. Here are the results of the full survey.
FFN 2016 Mini-Grant Survey Results
Action Toolkit
Do you find yourself wanting to contribute to your local food system but wondering how? The guiding question in this community action toolkit is ‘WHAT CAN I DO?’ Each of the network’s five task forces came up with specific action points related to their work, and provided resources to help you execute them. You can download the toolkit by clicking on the link below, email foodandfarmingnetwork@gmail.com for a physical copy.
Food System Illustrations
Illustrations done by Penny Krebiehl at the Food and Farming Network Summit of 2014, drawn live while conversations were evolving. After outlining concepts like the dynamics of a food hub and the definition of local food, participants were asked to put sticky notes on the aspects of the food system they are involved in.
October 2015 FFN Member Survey Results
Total responses to the member survey was 228 with the majority (more than 100) from consumers, 29 from farmers, and the remainder from others in the food system. Overall, members find the 20% by 2020 goals to be relevant. In addition, it appears the network may want to add a focus on wellness and education.
Click here to view presentation.
Food and Farming Network 2015 Report to the Community
The Food and Farming Network published its first Report to the Community and debuted it during the annual Network Summit on March 13, 2015. It features 53 stories from 45 authors representing most of northwest Lower Michigan. The stories are organized according to our Network goals, so you can easily see the depth of work being done in any given area of interest. From a baker making a “local loaf” with grain from a farm just few miles away, to a the group of land conservancies working together to make farmland affordable to access for young farmers; you’ll want to read the entire thing.
You can view the whole report and download a pdf version on our magazine hosting site, just click the image below. Or go to www.mlui.org/FFN2015
Food Security in the Michigan Counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau
A Study by Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club 
Authored by Kris Thomas
This masterful report delves into the challenging area of food security and food access. It examines the region’s ability and wherewithal to serve the counties in question with available food resources. At times both refreshing and sobering, the report is an important tool for northwest Michigan to begin attending to a long misunderstood community issue.
The report was authored by community volunteer, and Benzie Sunrise Rotary member, Kris Thomas as a project of the Rotary club. Click the image above to view and download a PDF of the report, or go to the club’s site,
http://www.benziesunriserotary.org/
Food Hubs: Solving Local
A Report from The Wallace Center
Authored by Bob Heuer and Patty Cantrell
This well researched report from authors Bob Heuer and Patty Cantrell (TLD’s Founder), funded by the Wallace Center, is rich with insight about the future of food hubs in America. It details the important role food hubs should take in getting more local food to market.
“Getting local food into grocery and food service supply chains will require people who can navigate the tricky territory between smaller producers and larger buyers. The Wallace Center is pleased to present this report to food industry executives on the growth and readiness of that needed intermediary, the regional food hub.” – John Fisk, Director The Wallace Center at Winrock International
To view the report online or to download it, click the image or visit the site of the National Good Food Network, NGFN:
http://www.ngfn.org/resources/food-hubs/food-hubs-solving-local
Northwest Michigan Food & Farming Network 
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