The Cream of the Crop: Amish Country in NE Michigan
Michigan has long been an epicenter of Amish settlement, with the first establishments dating back to 1895. Today, Michigan’s Amish population numbers approximately 11,000, with the state’s 86…
A Farmer’s Diary: Beginning Farmer Institute, Part 3
Our third and final Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) session took us to Washington state to talk business formation, business planning and long-term health, land tenure, credit, taxation, liability,…
The Huron Shores Local Food Coalition Envisions a Return to a Northeast Regional Food System
Being the second most diverse agricultural producer in the nation, Michigan has no shortage of specialty crops. In fact, lake effect microclimates are generally the most ideal for…
A Farmer’s Diary: Beginning Farmer Institute, Part 2
Our second session with the 2018-19 National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) took us into the country’s heart of organic produce, the salad bowl of America,…
A Farmer’s Diary: Beginning Farmer Institute
When you bring a bunch of farmers together over pizza and beer, there’s a certain magic that happens. On September 9th, after traveling from thirteen different states, nineteen…
NFU Fall Legislative Fly-in and the Farm Bill
The National Farmers Union (NFU) was founded over 110 years ago and advocates for grassroots policy change that supports the welfare of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and consumers.…
Warm up this Winter with a “Michiganized” Vietnamese Bun Bowl
Bún chả is a traditional Vietnamese dish of grilled fatty pork served over rice noodles, usually served with herbs, vegetables, and a dipping sauce. These now internationally popular…
Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands
You either sink or swim under the grueling demands of a busy professional kitchen. Chad Edwards has been cooking in Gaylord restaurants since age 14, and was the…
There’s a New Chef in Town
Michael Timmins was initiated into the world of food at a young age. His parents owned three bakeries in metro Detroit. And since that time, although Timmins has…
A Watershed Moment for NE Michigan’s Regional Food System
America’s highly productive food system is one of its beloved accomplishments. But the environment has paid a high price for this abundance, especially our rivers, streams, and lakes.…