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Who are we?

A statewide, non-profit organization who purpose is to improve Michigan's triple bottom line: our economy, our environment & the social well being of our communities through Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives.

Sustainable agriculture addresses all aspects of the triple bottom line to improve the state’s:

• economy - through agriculture and enhanced food systems
• environment - by providing access to well researched and successful agricultural methods
• social well being – such as better health and increasing our citizen’s opportunity to know where their food comes from reducing food security concerns.

MIFFS has become a recognized leader and resource to Michigan’s agricultural community. It has done so by addressing the issues farmers face, attracting resources, and developing partnerships among individuals and organizations. These partnerships have contributed to the productivity, viability and a greater environmental awareness of Michigan’s communities.

Why We’re Here
Agriculture is vital to the economy and to the many cultures that give Michigan its unique personality. Although Michigan is diverse and rich in agricultural traditions, our food system faces sobering economic, environmental and social challenges…

• The average age of farmers is increasing while the number of farms is steadily dropping.
• Access to mainstream markets has steadily decreased for small and medium-size farms.
• Consumers often don’t understand how or where their food is produced.
• Productive farmland is rapidly being depleted for suburban development.
• Policy makers often don’t understand how their decisions impact farmers, consumers and communities.
• Many groups that have not traditionally worked together as allies share concerns about economic, environmental and social issues surrounding food and farming.

Our organization is focused around four core strategies:

Assisting family farmers, including limited resource (multicultural), underserved farmers to develop entrepreneurial business, marketing, production and management skills to sustain their farming operations.

Growing market opportunities by linking consumers, communities and farmers.

Supporting agricultural stewardship and sustainable production.

Informing and influencing public policy and institutional decisions that impact family farms.