WILLIAMSTON, Mich — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has partnered with the Michigan Farmers Market Association to provide marketing funding to local farms through a new program called "Farmers to Markets."
WATCH BELOW: State program pairs local farms with marketing support
The program is designed to remove barriers and allow local growers to achieve more consistent sales, with a focus on increasing attendance at farmers markets and growing customer bases.
Ten farm businesses from five farmers markets across the state will receive a customized marketing plan and assistance through a partnership with "Taste the Local Difference."
One farmers market chosen was the Wiliamston farmers market.
Coleen Stowell of Coleen's Greens in Bancroft is one recipient. "It's really done a lot, as far as helping us focus our sales," Stowell said. She also noted the program's duration. "It's a multi-year program, it's not just this year, it's for four years," she said.
Fellow recipient Mayumi Roller said the funding is helping her farm build a digital presence. "They're working on building us a website, which is, it's been on our to do list," Roller said.
In a press release, MDARD Director Tim Boring said, "We're breaking down those barriers to benefit not just farmers markets and their vendors, but Michiganders and our local economies."
The program is also aimed at expanding consumer access to locally grown foods. "Hopefully the taste, the flavor, the way people feel good, not just our farm, but all the local farmers produce, hopefully that keeps them coming back and realizing this is the way to go," Roller said.
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