Maple syrup producers targeted as strategic growth industry with grant

A local study on maple syrup production will be among the recipients of more than $2 million given out in grants to help Michigan's food and agricultural industries grow.

 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, several Michigan agricultural agencies, businesses and commissions would receive funding to pursue projects that will explore new avenues for growth in the state's economy.

 

The other projects are in Detroit, East Lansing, Lansing, Southfield, Marlette and Frankenmuth and include finding a location for a new fruit juice plant, analyzing blueberry processing, addressing water impacts from swine farms, building a workforce training model for farm workers, and commercializing a pest management process.

 

Located in Burt Lake, the Commercial Maple Syrup Producers of Michigan were awarded $10,000 to undertake a feasibility assessment of growth opportunities in Michigan's maple syrup industry. 

 

The assessment would find out what impact the industry could have on the state's economy and identify strategies to move forward, while creating a roadmap for growth of the maple syrup industry, which producers say currently is underused, since less than 1 percent of the maple trees in Michigan are tapped for syrup production.

 

"These grants allow us to leverage business development and growth for Michigan's $91.4 billion food and agriculture industry," says MDARD director Jamie Clover Adams. "With increased investment in our agri-food sector, we can help 'move the needle' for continued long term growth.