Food & Farming
Farmer support
For nearly 20 years Groundwork has worked to build the local food economy. This work is based on the understanding that local food is nutritionally dense and best for health, increases local farm incomes, and helps the environment by keeping farmland secure and safe from development. Food system work is a team sport, and we work extensively with partners within the farming community in these endeavors.
REGIONAL NETWORKS
Groundwork actively supports regional networks that support local farmers. Learn more about these regional networks here.
TASTE THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Conceived and incubated as a Groundwork marketing project and has turned into an ever-growing standalone company. Taste the Local Difference educates consumers about the value of local food, and supports food and farming entrepreneurs in building successful, well-connected, and thoughtful businesses. Learn more about the company here.
GET INVOLVED!
Resources
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?
Farmer Support News
26 Projects, 10 Counties, 1 Remarkable Program
A look back at Building Resilient Communities’ pilot year, 2021-2022. A farm distributes thousands more pounds of produce with new walk-in coolers. A childcare center transforms its backyard with a school garden. A food pantry sees record-high client numbers when...
Boosting Local Food Momentum, One $2,000 Grant at a Time
Hello Jane Farms says bonjour to a new cooler, and more .... Beyond the perimeters of Petoskey and Harbor Springs, Emmet County is extensively rural, a quiet landscape of fertile hills and woodlands ripe with farming potential. Lifelong resident John Bailey recently...
Combatting Farm Stress
This article first ran in the Traverse City Record-Eagle Ag Forum. Above photo: Farmers face many challenges, and you can help simply by purchasing local food. (Photo by Dan Meyers) Local farms are a staple of the community, and they enrich Michigan’s environment,...