24LFPPMI1241
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Strong local food systems are a crucial foundation for building resilient communities wherein farmers earn sustainable livings and all have access to healthy food.
The continued disappearance of small farms nationally is a strong indication that innovative approaches are needed.
One such innovation is ARGUS FARM STOP, which represents a breakthrough model to grow local food economies.
Founded in 2014, ARGUS breaks the traditional local food system paradigm.
Unlike in the industrial model, farms selling through ARGUS maintain their farm identities and pricing control and receive 70% of retail sales.
Through this model, local farms and producers have been paid over $20 million over the past 10 years, and the 2022 AG CENSUS reported the largest growth of new farms selling vegetables of any county in Michigan.
While progress has been made, distinct opportunities remain to expand the capacity and reach of our local food system.
Here we propose to further extend the innovation of the farm stop model to 1) expand access to local food among low income, wholesale and institution customers, 2) expand off-season farm sales in January-May, and 3) expand systems for aggregation, storage and distribution of local food.
The resulting systems, approaches and impacts will be disseminated for the benefit of other food communities.
The continued disappearance of small farms nationally is a strong indication that innovative approaches are needed.
One such innovation is ARGUS FARM STOP, which represents a breakthrough model to grow local food economies.
Founded in 2014, ARGUS breaks the traditional local food system paradigm.
Unlike in the industrial model, farms selling through ARGUS maintain their farm identities and pricing control and receive 70% of retail sales.
Through this model, local farms and producers have been paid over $20 million over the past 10 years, and the 2022 AG CENSUS reported the largest growth of new farms selling vegetables of any county in Michigan.
While progress has been made, distinct opportunities remain to expand the capacity and reach of our local food system.
Here we propose to further extend the innovation of the farm stop model to 1) expand access to local food among low income, wholesale and institution customers, 2) expand off-season farm sales in January-May, and 3) expand systems for aggregation, storage and distribution of local food.
The resulting systems, approaches and impacts will be disseminated for the benefit of other food communities.
Awardee
Funding Goals
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY GOALS CONNECT AND CULTIVATE REGIONAL FOOD ECONOMIES THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS PLANS, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND STRATEGIES FOR VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE. STRENGTHEN CAPACITY AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND EXPANSION OF MID-TIER VALUE CHAINS. IMPROVE INCOME AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS AND FOOD BUSINESSES THROUGH JOB CREATION. SIMPLIFY THE APPLICATION AND THE REPORTING PROCESSES FOR THE GRANTS ADMINISTERED UNDER THE PROGRAM.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Washtenaw,
Michigan
United States
Geographic Scope
County-Wide
Related Opportunity
Argus Farm Stop L3c was awarded
Project Grant 24LFPPMI1241
worth $413,481
from Agricultural Marketing Service in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Michigan United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 10.175 Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.
$103,729 (20.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Local Food Promotion Program Fiscal Year 2024.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 11/19/24
Period of Performance
9/30/24
Start Date
9/29/27
End Date
Funding Split
$413.5K
Federal Obligation
$103.7K
Non-Federal Obligation
$517.2K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
24LFPPMI1241
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
12348X FARMERS' MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM
Funding Office
12348X FARMERS' MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM
Awardee UEI
T215VT16QZK5
Awardee CAGE
None
Performance District
MI-06
Senators
Debbie Stabenow
Gary Peters
Gary Peters
Modified: 11/19/24