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Grants

Grants

More information will be coming soon about how and when to apply for grant opportunities from the Farm to Family Program in 2026! Here's an overview of what you can expect:

Last Food Mile Grants

This initiative aims to develop transportation and distribution infrastructure in value chains for small- to mid-scale food producers across Michigan. Eligible projects must establish or expand at least one partnership with another business or organization to address logistics and marketing challenges regionally or locally. Preference will be given to proposals that include a refrigerated vehicle that is valued at less than $100,000.
A truck carrying produce along a road

Regenerative Value Chain Grants

Based on several years of expressed farm and food system sector interest, MDARD has established the first Regenerative Agricultural Program Unit in a state department of agriculture anywhere in the country. Supply chain infrastructure is one of the most common needs in developing markets for regenerative agriculture products. Farm-to-Family is responding to that feedback from practitioners by awarding grants to fund on-farm food processing infrastructure for producers that use regenerative practices. Eligible expenses include drainage infrastructure, wash/pack equipment, point of sale (POS) software, color sorters, and more. Proposed projects must demonstrate a clear plan for developing market channels for regenerative agriculture products.
Temperature chart for a milk facility.

Community Mentorship Grants

This opportunity will develop community-based networks by encouraging experienced farmers and food business owners to collaborate with and serve as mentors and counselors to young and beginning farmers and food business owners in their community. Mentors and counselors will be supported to advise their mentees throughout the process of applying for any grant that is aligned with Farm to Family Program goals. They will also review mentees' business plans to strengthen likelihood of success. The goal of this grant is to accelerate access to grant funding for young and beginning farmers and food businesses, as well as other stakeholders that have been historically underrepresented among grant recipients. 
Licenses

2025 Grants:

  • Food Hubs and Farm Stops Grant Program – In response to feedback from numerous food and agriculture stakeholders across Michigan in 2024, MDARD’s Farm to Family Program’s inaugural grant opportunity strengthened Michigan food hubs and farm stops. The program provided more than $730,000 of grant funding to eight food hubs and seven farm stops across the state.
  • Good Food for Michigan – Based on expressed interest from small- and medium-sized producers and light processors throughout Michigan for MDARD to support more local and regional market outlets, Farm to Family launched the Good Food For Michigan project in 2025. Led by the Center for Good Food Purchasing, Good Food for Michigan seeks to:
    • Expand the number of organizations and institutions committed to purchasing Michigan-grown and produced foods
    • Support the viability of Michigan farmers and producers through the expansion of local and regional food markets
    • Foster public education around healthy foods and Michigan agriculture
    • Implement the strategies identified in the Michigan Good Food Charter
  • Produce Safety Technicians – Toward supporting healthy and safe food value chain development, Farm to Family provided funding to support the Produce Safety Program offered by the Ottawa, Newaygo, Marquette, and Grand Traverse Conservation Districts. Through this program, Produce Safety Technicians deliver on-farm technical assistance using the Michigan Produce Safety Risk Assessment, and they help producers to understand and comply with local, state, and federal produce safety regulations.