Two Copper Country Food & Agriculture Projects Funded

Two food and agriculture projects in the Copper Country will be receiving state funding.

The awards come from the competitive Value Added and Regional Food System Grant Program within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Corpolongo Smith Farm of Ontonagon will receive almost $38,000 to expand the production of minimally processed produce and dehydrated snack foods in the Upper Peninsula.

The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance in Houghton will receive more than $47,000 to evaluate the methods for a cost effecting harvesting and drying solutions for small-scale hops growers.

Here is MDARD’s full press release:

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.