The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is awarding $2.5 million in grants to projects that are researching solutions to agricultural and food processing issues related to climate concerns and supply chain shortages.
The Farm Innovation Grant program, which will award up to $450,000 per project, is currently accepting proposals with a focus on climate smart practices, supply chain resiliency and food processing and farm production automation.
The program is targeting three key areas:
• Climate smart practices: The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop solutions to climate challenges.
• Supply chain resiliency: The goal is to strengthen the food supply chain and make it more resilient to disruptions.
• Food processing and farm production automation: The goal is to develop and deploy automation technology to support food processing and production.
The program is open to universities, technology incubators, research centers, and nonprofits. Proposals are due by November 20, 2023.
MDARD is also continuing its investment in climate-forward grants with the $30 million Wastewater Infrastructure Fund, which was announced in August. The Wastewater Infrastructure Fund aims to help farms, breweries, and food processors upgrade their wastewater processing facilities to meet state requirements to protect the quality of Michigan water and, in turn, its climate.
MDARD Director Timothy Boring said that the Farm Innovation Grant program is a unique program that is targeting a lot of the climate resiliency work and the improvements that are needed within the food and ag industry for stronger supply chains and to enhance food processing, notably automation. He said that MDARD is really looking forward to what it can spur within the industry. Boring added that MDARD is looking at a really comprehensive approach of giving folks solutions at hand today while supporting the research of what tomorrow’s solutions look like.
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Categories: Michigan, Education