Agriculture Chairwoman Stabenow Announces More than $190,000 for Two Ingham County Farmers Markets

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced $190,038 in support for the Michigan Farmers Market Association in East Lansing and Allen Neighborhood Group in Lansing. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which helps expand access to farmers markets and food hubs and develop new opportunities for farmers to sell locally.

"When we grow things here and make things here, we create jobs here in Michigan. Local food hubs and farmers markets connect families and small businesses with local farmers, which makes it easier to buy Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables," said Stabenow. "Buying local is a win for our economy, a win for Michigan agriculture and a win for consumers who will have better access to local food choices."

Support for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program was greatly expanded in the 2014 Farm Bill, which was authored by Senator Stabenow and signed into law by President Obama in Michigan earlier this year. The new Farmers Market And Local Food Promotion Program helps improve and expand farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.

Project details below:

The Michigan Farmers Market Association in East Lansing will receive $99,660 to develop a farmers market manager mentorship program, expand the Market Management Certificate Program, which formally recognizes market managers as professionally trained managers, and invest in long-term strategic planning and professional development.

Allen Neighborhood Group in Lansing will receive $90,378 to expand and promote its Winter Farmers Market, Hunter Park Garden-House Community Supported Agriculture, and Allen Market Place Kitchen projects. Community Supported Agriculture allows people to buy into a community farm in return for fruit, vegetables and other agricultural products throughout the growing season. Senator Stabenow visited the Allen Neighborhood market in August 2013.

For more information, please visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP.