About Michigan State University - MSU
As a pioneer land-grant institution, MSU strives to discover practical uses for theoretical knowledge, and to speed the diffusion of information to residents of the state, the nation, and the world. In fostering both research and its application, this university will continue to be a catalyst for positive intellectual, social, and technological change.
As one of two land-grant institutions in the state, MSU is committed to providing equal educational opportunity to all qualified applicants; to extending knowledge to all people in the state; to melding professional and technical instruction with quality liberal education; to expanding knowledge as an end in itself as well as on behalf of society; to emphasizing the applications of information; and to contributing to the understanding and the solution of significant societal problems. MSU’s adherence to academic freedom and open scholarly inquiry supports these essential academic functions.
The university's land-grant and service mission first originated in the areas of agriculture and the mechanic arts. While these emphases remain essential to the purpose of Michigan State, the land-grant commitment now encompasses fields such as health, human relations, business, communication, education, and government, and extends to urban and international settings. The evolution of this mission reflects the increasing complexity and cultural diversity of society, the world's greater interdependence, changes in both state and national economy, and the explosive growth of knowledge, technology, and communications.
MSU fulfills the fundamental purposes of all major institutions of higher education: to seek, to teach, and to preserve knowledge. As a land-grant institution, this university meets these objectives in all its formal and informal educational programs, in basic and applied research, and in public service. Education of its citizens is the state's best investment in its future. MSU has honored, and will continue to honor, this public trust.
MSU and Farmers Markets
MSU assists Michigan farmers markets in many ways. Here are some ways in which MSU can assist both new and established markets.
Assistance through your county MSU Extension office: Specific local assistance will vary depending on the local staff composition, local priorities for educational programs, available resources, etc. Many MSU Extension offices:
- Provide nutrition education and/or educational materials at farmers markets for WIC Project FRESH, Senior Project FRESH, Food Stamp/EBT recipients.
- Provide food safety education for market vendors.
- Help markets connect with local farmers.
- Provide leadership training for market board members.
- Help markets find Master Gardener and/or 4-H Youth volunteers to assist at markets.
- Assist in developing business plans for the market, individual vendors or people interested in becoming market vendors.
- Provide agricultural production and post-harvest education/information for current/potential vendors.
- And more!
Assistance available through MSU Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation & Resource Studies (CARRS) and the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems. The Mott Group at MSU (www.mottgroup.msu.edu) engages communities in applied research and outreach to promote sustainable food systems with a goal of improving access and availability of healthy, locally produced food. Members of the Mott Group work with community partners to conduct research and outreach education on issues of importance to Michigan farmers markets.
- Cooperate and collaborate with the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and its parent organization Michigan Food and Farming System (MIFFS).
- Organize annual December Farmers Market educational program at Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids.
- Conduct research on Michigan farmers markets, vendors, managers, and customers.
- Provide farmers market listserv to facilitate discussions among Michigan markets. To join, send an email to listserv@list.msu.edu with this command in the body of the email: SUBSCRIBE farmmktmi your name. You will be sent a confirmation message with instructions on how to activate your subscription.
- Provide workshops and other educational opportunities for farmers market sponsors, managers and vendors.
- Develop informational materials to show consumers what is local, what is in season, how to prepare food purchased from farmers markets, and how to keep farmers market foods safe.
- Host farmers market Web site, www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.
- Maintain a list of Michigan farmers markets.
- Provide educational presentations upon request, including, but not limited to:
- Selling the Whole Truckload!
- Starting a Farmers Market.
- Farmers Markets in Michigan: What we Know.
- Establishing Prices at Farmers’ Markets.
- What Does Organic Certification Mean for Farmers Markets?
- Provide technical assistance to help communities:
- Develop/revise market bylaws and rules.
- Organize a Rapid Market Assessment (customer counts, customer survey, peer evaluation).
- Document economic impact of a market.
- Develop a market manager job description.
- Develop a business plan for a market or market vendors.
- Assist markets in accepting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Food Stamps, in collaboration with MIFMA
- Develop proposals for market funding.
- And more!
To explore any of these possibilities:
- Contact your local MSU County Extension Director (check www.msue.msu.edu, then click on Offices/Staff and then on your county)
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