News

Michigan climate-smart farm label in development

A climate-smart USDA pilot project is creating a label Michigan farmers can use to direct market their products.

Taste the Local Difference Marketing Director Christina Marbury is helping to develop it.

“One of the big pieces that we think is really valuable in this type of label is that not only would it tell people how the food is being grown and produced, but it would also let them know that it is a Michigan product,” she says.

She tells Brownfield the verification process is still under development but might include different levels farms can reach. The pilot is starting on farms in southeast Michigan.

“Customers are interested in thinking about climate and how it relates to the food that they consume, and how it might relate to Michigan not being able to grow certain crops that we have historically been really great at growing,” she says.

She says farmers want a way to tell consumers about the work they’re doing to be more climate resilient.

“We’re going to be supporting farmers, teaching them about how to educate their consumers about climate-smart agriculture, as well as trying to get the message out in a broader way,” she explains.

After the five-year pilot, recommendations will be provided to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on how the climate-smart verification program could be incorporated into the state’s voluntary environmental assurance program.  

AUDIO: Christina Marbury, Taste the Local Difference