| You have the power to help save our farms and farmland. You can directly support Michigan farmers and farmers markets by taking these simple actions. |
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Support your local farmers by buying direct at farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs. |
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Spread the No Farms No Food® message by requesting a free bumper sticker. |
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Vote in the America's Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest so that we help you grow your local farmers market! |
 Keep the Focus on Farmland
In 2000 the State of Michigan passed legislation forming the framework for local farmland protection programs to develop. Since then, 20 counties in the state have passed county PDR ordinances and have established local agricultural preserve boards. At the same time, Michigan's state legislature established the state Agricultural Preservation Fund intended to provide cost-sharing to local programs created under this act - but in 2009, Governor Granholm eliminated the program. Read American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl's letter to the governor, urging her to reinstate the Agricultural Preservation Fund.
Farmland Protection Is the Winning Ticket
American Farmland Trust has a successful history in Kent County, Michigan. With the support of community organizations, like
the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Frey Foundation, Steelcase Foundation and the Wege Foundation, we helped implement
a farmland preservation ordinance, the creation of an Agricultural Preservation Board, and conservation easements on several key farms. Listen to this story of two protected Kent County Farms Protected (audio).
 The Local Way is a Win-Win for Kids and the Economy
The state of Michigan has passed legislation that will help schools purchase locally grown foods for meals and snacks by
increasing school budgets for purchasing local food and enhance opportunities for school officials and local food producers to build cooperative relationships. The law not only allows schools to purchase healthy, fresh, and local foods, but supports the local economy by keeping millions of tax dollars in the state. Megan Brown, deputy press secretary for the governor’s office, called the newly passed legislation “a win-win for our kids and the economy.”
study affirms tax savings for communities
AFT completed a Cost of Community Services (COCS) study for Calhoun County that showed protecting farmland in Calhoun County saved valuable tax dollars for residents. Keeping land in agriculture means that water, police and fire protection and education taxes remain low—cows don’t go to school and cucumbers don’t dial 911! As a result of our study, Calhoun County residents have begun to develop their own county level farmland protection program. more
Contact Us
Bob Wagner
Senior Policy Advisor, Farmland and Communities
800-370-4879
bwagner@farmland.org
To learn more about agriculture in your state, visit the Michigan state profile page at the Farmland Information Center.
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