Progress 09/01/08 to 06/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project involved a tri-state effort to identify common needs and resources in the fresh vegetable value chain. The goal was to identify needs, sources of the needs and facilitate joint efforts among key players to create an increased source of fresh vegetables for local markets. The activities included three farmer round table discussions held at the Fruit and Vegetable MSUE conference in St Joseph MI (7 farmers and 2 marketers); the Small Farm Conference in Grayling (45 farmers) and the Farming System Economic Partnership Conference in Dexter, Michigan (27 farmers and 2 marketers). Through farmer discussions, resources and needs were identified in four priority areas, including, pests, food safety concerns, post harvest needs and challenges, and market identification. These meetings revealed that farmers had more than adequate markets but needed increased harvests. Several aspects of production were identified that would improve the harvest including, better ways to harvest, store and transport an increased volume of fresh vegetables. Meetings were held with project partners from Cornell University, sharing background and efforts occurring in New York and Wisconsin State. These meetings allowed for a sharing data on fresh vegetable production for local markets in Wisconsin. The results of these meetings created an awareness that despite the three state's agro-ecologoical similarities, the current availability of vegetables for the fresh and local market are extremely different. Based on this information, the researchers chose not to peruse any common activities. The researchers realized that each state confronted circumstances that were unique enough to preclude further collaboration. PARTICIPANTS: James Bingen, CARRS, Michigan State University Vicki Morrone, C.S. Mott Group, CARRS, Michigan State University Matt Grieshop Entomology, Michigan State University Anusuya Rangarajan, Horticulture, Cornell University Erin Silva, Agronomy, University of Wisconsin Mitch Gasche, Superior Sales, Inc., Hudsonville, MI Hannah Stevens, MSUE Extension, Macomb County, Michigan TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers seeking new opportunities for sales to fresh local and marketers seeking new sources for their markets. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Twelve case studies about markets that work closely with farmers to buy and sell to local markets were developed. Ten case studies of markets throughout the US, with a focus on Michigan, and that use unique approaches of aggregation and distribution were compiled through telephone interviews with the market managers and background information available through web-sites. This information was compiled in a uniform layout and distributed to innovative Michigan farmers and key persons critical to the value chain of fresh-local vegetables. The information collected in these case studies has been summarized identifying key prospective opportunities for our farmers to replicate or modify and implement into their own marketing approach. Up to twelve farmers, along with resource persons essential to building a strong agriculture marketing business were invited to participate in a one day session in January 2011 to review the case studies and identify themes and issues of particular relevance for Michigan growers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 06/01/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The outputs and all other information submitted in this report are for the period of 2010. The project creceive a no-cost one year no extensiona. Activities for the period since September 2010 include three farmer round table discussions held at Fruit and Vegetable MSUE conference in St Joseph, MI (7 farmers and 2 marketers), the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference in Grayling ,MI(45 farmers) and the Farming System Economic Partnership Conference in Dexter, MI (27 farmers and 2 marketers). Meetings were held with project partners from Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin in order to share the results of common efforts and data related to fresh vegetable production for local markets in the three states. Twelve case studies about efforst across the country to work closely with farmers to buy and sell fresh produce we initiated. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Given the nature of the project team planning discussions as well as the discussions at various farmenr and marketer meetings, it it premature to report any outcomes or identify any impacts of this project at this time. It is expected that the information gained will be useful in helping to build a network of Michigan farmers who grow vegetbles for fresh, local markets.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 06/01/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Farmer interviews and roundtable discussions held in Michigan, New York and Wisconsin Project Investigator meeting reviewed the results from these data collection exercises. Based on this meeting, plans have been made to complete the following during the remaining period of the project: 1. Identify each state's value chain of fresh vegetable production in order to: a)Highlight new market opportunities; b)Identify how farmers are meeting labor and land needs to expand; and c)identify local food marketing programs. 2. In response to requests from farmers and marketers, convene a day long marketer/farmer session in April 2010 in order to discuss the results of number 1 above. 3. Invite marketers and economists to join the planning team. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The farmer interviews and roundtable discussion generated the following findings: 1. Further research needs to be more oriented to marketing issues. 2. Great Lakes Region farmers are especially interested in the following issues related to fresh vegetable production and marketing: a)food safety; b)pest management (using safe yet effective methods; c) identifying and accessing market opportunities; and, d)labor questions related to knowing what (and how) needs to conform to legal guidelines and regulations. 3.Identification of the significant vegetable production and marketing differences among the states despite their location in the Great Lakes region. 4. Realization that the current group's skills are more in the area of production and marketing-related issues. 5. Before the end of the project: identify the state's fresh vegetable value chain; highlight new market opportunities; and, identify how farmers are meeting labor and land needs to expand.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The purpose of this planning grant is to identify the constraints on increasing the production and marketing of fresh market vegetables in the Great Lakes region, especially production for sale to markets and wholesalers in the Great Lakes Region. Based on the findings generated during the planning grant activities, an SCRI and other proposals will be prepared to address the research and extension needed to overcome these constraints. In collaboration with vegetable farmers and fresh produce wholesale/brokers and retailers in the region, the longer term goal of this planning grant is to develop a long-term vision and strategy for increasing the production and marketing of fresh vegetables within the Great Lakes Region. This vision will be built through a collaborative effort among several actors in vegetable production and marketing, including; farmers, distributers, extension educators and researchers. The project team consists of researchers and extension educators from Michigan State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell University as well as a representative from wholesale produce company. During 2009, the Michigan State team held three roundtable discussions with a total of 84 vegetable farmers and wholesale marketers. The Wisconsin research team held a roundtable discussion with and developed a survey for Wisconsin vegetable growers while the colleague in New York shared the results of a 2008 survey that addressed the shortcomings related to the availability of fresh, local vegetables. PARTICIPANTS: Project Team Members include: Michigan State University: James Bingen, Vicki Morrone, Matt Grieshop. Michigan State University Extension: Hannah Stevens University of Wisconsin-Madison: John Hendrickson, Erin Silva Cornell University: Anusuya Rangarajan Superior Sales: Mitch Gasche TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes fresh produce growers in Michigan, New York and Wisconsin who are interested in expanding and/or diversifying their marketing to the wholesale-retail market. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No substantive changes in the project purpose or objectives. A no-cost extension through June 1, 2010 was approved on August 20, 2009.
Impacts
The farmers and marketers identified priorities that are consistent across the three states . These included: meeting the criteria of food safety for small farms, collective and effective distribution, post-harvest storage opportunities, farm product marketing methods, and used equipment access. With the funds remaining in the grant, a no-cost extension was requested and approved on August 20,2009. The team met on September 2, 2009 to review the results to date, and to discuss the next steps for the project. The team agreed that roundtable discussions and surveys showed that distribution and agregation issues related to meeting the market demand for local were among the highest priorities for farmers and for wholesale marketers. Based on this conclusion, the team agreed to undertake a plan of work designed to create a state-by-state profile of the fresh produce market chain. Using these profiles, the team will prepare a research proposal to examine the issues related to the aggregation and promotion of local produce.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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