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Tom Guthrie Annual Fund

Connecting people to resources and creating new partnerships to build more sustainable food and farming systems in the state was Tom Guthrie's vision for several years. So in 1998, after many long hours and numerous discussions, Tom, a lifelong farmer and one of the state's most astute agricultural leaders, worked together with several key partners to found Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems - MIFFS. MIFFS is an agriculture organization with its existence based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan's rural and urban communities.

Over its seven years of existence, MIFFS and its partners have taken on major initiatives to benefit the state's food and farming systems and Tom began to see his vision become reality. Then in early 2005, as the organization was gearing up for the Annual Family Farms Conference and several other key initiatives, Tom unexpectedly passed away after an accident on his own farm.

Although the days soon after sometimes seemed overwhelming, MIFFS council, staff and partners pulled together quickly to maintain the momentum of the organization. In June, Elaine Brown was named MIFFS executive director, and as a tribute to Tom, the Tom Guthrie Annual Fund was then developed to become a major vehicle in soliciting private donations for the non-profit, member driven organization.

MIFFS currently operates it programs through funding from three major areas; public sector grants, membership dues and private donations. The Tom Guthrie Annual Fund will become the umbrella by which private donation funding drives and solicitations will be initiated. The Guthrie Fund Committee will be created to operate as the fund's board and to work with the MIFFS staff and council to accomplish annual fund objectives.

To make a donation to the Tom Guthrie Annual Fund, click here to download the form and send it back to the MIFFS office.