Growing Entrepreneurs and the Michigan Economy Parker Jones Innovation Counselor MSU Product Center

Innovation Counselors Provide business counseling to help entrepreneurs assess the developmental phase of projects, identify markets and guide them from concept to launch Areas of expertise Food Agriculture Natural Resources Forestry

Innovation Counselor Network * * * * * * * * * *

MSU Product Center Provide strategic research and business development services in food, agriculture, and natural resources Collaboration with MSU Extension, Ag-Bio- Research, and Department of Agricultural Food & Resource Economics

Products

Question: what water activity and pH values define non- exempt foods? Quick Poll Cottage Food law exempts all but Potentially Hazardous Foods and Temperature Controlled for Safety foods (PHF, TCS) from some regulation Question: what water activity and pH values define non- exempt foods?

Entering the food sector can be daunting Answer Entering the food sector can be daunting (Products with water activity greater than 0.85 and pH ranges between 4.6 and 7.5 are not allowed under Cottage Food Law)

How can the Product Center help?

How can the Product Center help? Food science and testing Nutritional labeling Packaging Connections to MSU resources

MarketMaker https://mi.foodmarketmaker.com/ Web-based resource that provides a link between producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, farmers' markets, food service providers and end-consumers within the food supply chain.

AgBioResearch A source of UP specific agriculture, natural resources and forestry research Forest Biomass Innovation Center – Escanaba Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center – Chatham Dunbar Forest - Sault Ste. Marie

Larger Clients

Growing entrepreneurs and the Michigan economy 4,164 counseling sessions 689 clients 91 venture launches 461 jobs created 486 jobs retained $53,435,370 new investment

Questions ? Contact: jonesp28@anr.msu.edu https://www.canr.msu.edu/productcenter/

EUP Farm-Institution Mini-Grants The purpose of these mini-grant funds are to cover a portion of the costs for farmers in Chippewa, Luce or Mackinac counties to register and attend programs that are not feasible to hold within the region (such as programs at UPREC) or held in the region but have a registration fee and are needed for the farm to move into new markets.  These funds could also be used to assist a farm in purchasing small items they might need to come into compliance with farm food safety best practices to be able to sell to a restaurant or institution. These expenses could include labeling equipment, labels or printer, packaging and related expenses. The maximum receivable amount is 300$. You’ll hear back on your application within two weeks.