NW Michigan Food and Farming Network Report to the Community 2015 Report to the Community | Page 3

Introduction

W

elcome to the first Northwest Michigan Food
and Farming Network (FFN) Report to the
Community.
This document provides a snapshot of activities
throughout northwest Lower Michigan in support of our
network’s goals and objectives.
This group is truly a network. The ties that bind us
mainly go unseen, but the nodes of activity are broad
and deep. This document is designed to showcase these
connections and articulate the vast amount of work being done in all corners of our region, which makes up
4,722.5 square miles of the state.
The FFN operates on a volunteer basis. We have no
staff, no budget, no office—not even a phone. But what

we lack in physical infrastructure, we make up for in passion for our local food and farming economy.
The report is organized and color-coded to match
our six network goals and objectives. You are invited to
take your time as you read through it, follow the reference links, contact any of the more than 40 writers
who’ve contributed, share this with others­ and
—
please, if it piques your interest, participate. We’re a
friendly group.
Thank you for reading,
Rob Sirrine
Bill Palladino
MSU Extension Michigan Land Use Institute
Co-chair Co-chair

From Marsha Smith, Rotary Charities

I

n 2008, Rotary Charities was honored to
play a collaborative leadership role in the
creation of the Grand Vision—and ambitious, citizen-led vision for the future of
land use, transportation, economic development, and environmental stewardship
in northwest Lower Michigan. More than
12,000 citizens responded to the comprehensive questionnaire asking them about
their vision for the future of the region.
One outcome of the project was the creation of six guiding principles. In turn, the Grand Vision
networks were inaugurated to spearhead on-the-ground
efforts to see these principles through.
The work of the Northwest Michigan Food and
Farming Network pre-dates the Grand Vision, but as a
consequence of the citizen-led work, it found focus and
renewed determination to move forward. At its heart the
FFN works to preserve agriculture as a viable economic

practice in the region by protecting farmland, enhancing the affordability of farms,
and supporting agriculture infrastructure in
the region. This report highlights the work
of this important group over the past year,
showcasing just a few of the inspirational
stories that are tied together by the network.
Rotary Charities congratulates the leadership and members of the Northwest Michigan Food and Farming Network on all its
efforts, but especially in the production of this report
that acts as a snapshot in time of the network’s accomplishments. We are proud of their efforts and of our
connection to this work.
Sincerely,
Marsha Smith
Rotary Charities