By Andi Anderson
The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center hosted a webinar on October 3, 2024, titled “Project Planning and Budgeting for Grants.”
This resource-packed session provided a clear four-step guide for creating project plans and budgets, empowering farmers, Indigenous producers, and food entrepreneurs to succeed in grant applications.
Andy Larson, Farm Outreach Specialist at the Food Finance Institute, shared key insights on crafting effective project plans and budgets to attract funders. He was joined by experts Julie Jesmer and Jamie Rahrig from Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems, who introduced the Business Builder grant program.
Starting in late 2024, over $10 million in USDA grant funding will be distributed to technical assistance providers and food or farm businesses in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
This initiative, part of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program, emphasizes creating resilient, diverse food systems.
The webinar also featured valuable tips for budgeting, planning, and leveraging technical resources. Participants received practical guidance on connecting with funders and aligning budgets with project goals.
Organized by the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center, the event reflects its commitment to supporting small and historically marginalized food entrepreneurs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages
Categories: Michigan, Business, Government & Policy