Food System Economic Partnership

1. Food System Economic Partnership Presentation to: XX County/Partner XX, 2006

2. Outline • 5-county rural and urban partnership • Strategic plan and work teams • First year success • Local stakeholder perspectives • FSEP moving forward

3. 5-County Partnership • Jackson • Lenawee • Monroe • Washtenaw • Wayne Jackson Washtenaw Wayne Lenawee Monroe

4. Strategic Plan: FSEP Mission FSEP exists to catalyze change in the food system of Southeastern Michigan. We provide research, education and outreach with urban and rural partnerships, resulting in agricultural development opportunities, sustainable communities, and healthy local economies.

5. FSEP Strategic Plan

6. FSEP: Supply Chain/Network

7. FSEP Teams/Programs • Market Research and Development • Business Innovation and Networking • Education and Outreach for Change • Farm to School Demonstration Project

8. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Market R&D Local market baseline assessment Restaurant market analysis Grain product market analysis Independent grocers market study Project reports available at fsepmichigan.org/reports

9. FSEP 1st Yr Success: GIS Maps

10. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Market R&D Supply Chain Analysis Project (in process) • Assess challenges, obstacles, opportunities in marketing 2-3 local farm product categories (e.g., grains, vegetables) to end users – i.e., institutions, restaurants and retailers • Will establish a model for application to other farm product categories and sectors in the agrifood system. • Budget: $60,000 • $30K Local funding • $30K MEDC grant

11. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Farm to School Demonstration Project • K-12 Schools • In discussions with three pilot schools that have expressed interest (Dearborn, Chelsea, Ann Arbor) • Fall 2006 pilot distribution, 2007-8 full implementation Universities/Colleges • Fall 2006 pilot project to University of Michigan Dining Svc

12. Local meat processing Local farm foods distribution Value-added vegetable processing Winery Grain processing Commercial greenhouses Dairy processing & retail Grass fed beef Ethnic food products UM student dining Urban consumer food buyers club Pet food production Ag tourism venture Heritage turkey CSA New farmers’ market Farm-to-school project Ethanol production Organic production Hard cider production Landscaping products Biofuels FSEP 1st Yr Success: Business Innovation and Networking FSEP is assisting over 50 entrepreneurs and community groups with development of projects and businesses aligned with FSEP’s mission, and foster local networks. Supported projects include:

13. For more info on individual projects visit http://fsep.pbwiki.com/ProjectsMap

14. FSEP’s Role in New Business Development (supply chain) • Work with existing pool of entrepreneurs and attract new entrepreneurs/investors • Launch special demonstration projects • Provide research-based tools and assistance with business planning • Facilitate business-to-business supply chain linkages and help with marketing • Work with interest groups (e.g., farmers) to understand new markets that improve profitability • Note: confidentiality agreements with business clients prohibits disclosing specific information

15. Expanded purchase of local food (The Henry Ford, SYSCO, U of M, restaurants) Connected farmers to outlets Work with local distributor Introduced chefs to farmers Pilot level activities for local meat processing in Lenawee County Assisted w/ writing business plan Assisted with feasibility study Connected farmer business owners with market entrepreneur FSEP 1st Yr Success: Business Innovation & Networking Examples

16. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Business Innovation & Networking Examples Expansion of Monroe County greenhouse business • Assisted with writing business plan Establishment of a food purchasing cooperative in Detroit • Business plan assistance • Operating since spring 06

17. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Education and Outreach for Change

18. March 2006 FSEP Conference Included over 150 participants from diverse sectors and occupations, urban and rural. “An evaluation documented the effectiveness of the conference in achieving its goals. Ninety-nine percent of the survey respondents reported that they better understood the local food system and opportunities for development.” -Brenda Reau, FSEP Conference Planning Committee

19. FSEP 1st Yr Success: Education and Outreach for Change Launching 1-3 youth entrepreneurship training programs (Golightly, The Henry Ford, Ypsilanti) Field trips to food system attractions including Sysco, Eden Foods, local farms

20. FSEP: Perspectives from Local Stakeholders • “Monroe County certainly received more than we expected from our investment in FSEP.” – Charles Londo, Monroe County Administrator • “FSEP’s is a compelling story, a necessary and vital one that needs to succeed…to address the dilemma and opportunities of farming, farms and farmers in our region.” – Wayne Say, 208 Group, Ann Arbor

21. FSEP: Perspectives from Local Stakeholders • “What amazes me is the ability of FSEP to bring people from different places together to work together, despite obstacles. The key is regionalism.” – Susan Cocciarelli, MSU CS Mott Group • “I attended your conference in March [2006] and found it very inspiring and helpful. We have now started a small farmers' market in our neighborhood. Thanks for helping to inspire us!” – Pam Weinstein, The Northwest Detroit Farmers' Market

22. FSEP: Perspectives from Local Stakeholders • “FSEP is clearly a model project that should be replicated in other parts of the state.” – Chris Peterson, MSU Product Center • “I am excited about FSEP. It’s creating opportunities for my children to continue farming.” – Jeff Horning, dairy farmer

23. FSEP Moving Forward Comprehensive Agrifood Sector Analysis • Anticipated Budget = $250K • Under review by MSU Product Center, UM, private sector. Seeking local, state, fed. and private funding partners. • Will apply results from model supply chain analysis currently underway to comprehensive sector analysis. COMPONENTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES Inventory and Assess Current Supply Chain for Local Agricultural Products: Producers Wholesalers Processors Distributors Consumers Comprehensive analysis that identifies: Obstacles, opportunities and recommended actions that increase local product processing and consumption in the region and that support new and emerging products and local entrepreneurs Launch New Businesses/ Projects such as: Dairy processing (cheeses, etc.) Niche products (organic, locally grown, artisan) Institutional food distribution Ethnic food products Specialty food products Health food items Farmers markets Urban retail outlets Bio-degradable plastics Neutraceuticals Biofuels Bioproducts/parts manufacturing Pet food/supplies Personal care products Agri-tourism sites Identify new/emerging products and markets having moderate to high growth potential for the region Recommended actions may include: Labor training Processing facilities Transportation facilities Marketing Business assistance Venture capital Public policy (regulation, incentives)

24. FSEP Moving Forward March 2007 FSEP Conference From Farm to Table, Building a Better Food System in Southeast Michigan • Bring in speakers that are leaders in the field of ag/food economic development • Showcase success stories, identify barriers to entry and success • Highlight market opportunities based in market research • Workshops that help farmers/ag entrepreneurs identify opportunities and attract investors. • Create networking opportunities between farmers, end users, and intermediaries.

25. FSEP Moving Forward Farm to School Program • Fall 2006 demonstration event at pilot K-12 school • Fall 2006 UM Dining Services pilot • Plan and launch local farm food service program w/ 3 pilot K-12 schools (Dearborn, Chelsea, Ann Arbor) • Produce executive report of pilot effort impact on kids health, farm profitability, community goals DELIVERABLE - Pilot program results will be compiled into resource kit for use by schools across the region – helping schools satisfy requirements of “Michigan School Wellness Policy.” “Public Health is very enthusiastic about our partnership with FSEP and look forward to projects including ‘Farms to Schools’ that are looking at ways to link local farm products to school cafeterias.” - Ellen Clement, Washtenaw County Public Health Officer

26. U of M Dining Services Local farms providing the produce Local food producers providing other local farm-based foods (e.g., Eden Foods) Local broker (McClellan Produce Sales & Dist., Inc.) “The UM would like to buy all local and organic if possible” – Matt Hall, Dining Hall Chef Dairy Farmers of America Exploring the potential for expanded product lines developed from conversion of commodity milk FSEP Moving Forward

27. FSEP Moving Forward • State of Michigan Policy Advancement Improve understanding of public policy (incentives, regulations) that improve the climate for agrifood market & supply chain Governor’s Buy Local First Initiative “As part of our economic plan,” the governor said from the Capitol in Lansing, “last year I ordered our departments to buy Michigan first.” – Gov. Granholm 2006 Eastern Market Redevelopment • Bring farmers to market • Entrepreneurship & regional supply chain business development • Urban resident education “FSEP needs to be engaged in the Eastern Market renovation. FSEP can bring the farmers, and economic development expertise to the table.” Tamara Harmon, Wayne County Economic Development Office

28. FSEP Moving Forward Pastured beef production & marketing • Secured funding for market study • Work with area farmers to understand if this product and market can help them increase profitability “I am interested in how this might improve profitability for cattle farmers in the area.” – Larry Gould, farmer from Lenawee County • Biodiesel project • In Monroe County • Assist with writing business plan “Monroe County Farm Bureau is interested to work with FSEP on exploring a business that would convert grains into consumer goods.” Tom Woelmer, Monroe County Farm Bureau President

29. FSEP Moving Forward And much more… These are just a few of the projects FSEP plans to help launch and/or facilitate and support over the next 2-3 years.

30. FSEP Moving Forward Request for Continuing Partner Support • Working with existing funding partners to extend agreements thru 2007 and 2008 • Seeking new funding partners to increase research and education capacity • Exploring innovative funding mechanisms for new business development

31. Michael DiRamio diramiom@ewashtenaw.org 734-222-6859 Visit our Website - www.fsepmichigan.org