Gov. Whitmer proposes $4M for ‘farm to family program’ in next state budget

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - In her budget proposal, Governor Whitmer recommends $4 million for a Farm to Family Program.

Its goal would be to support regenerative farming, agriculture supply chains and promote Michigan food products in the home.

“We need to increase the value of how and where things are grown. That’s a positive story for the U.P. We are going to prioritize delivering local food to local people and building economic prosperity in economic systems within that,” Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Tim Boring said.

Republican State Representative Dave Prestin believes the program should focus on the difficulties of distribution.

“Products from the farm to the end consumer should be what we are laser-focused on. That’s jumping through all the hurdles that are in between the farm and the end user which is the grocery store and that’s where a majority of people pick up their food supplies,” Prestin said.

Whitmer and her administration say the proposed budget focuses on making life affordable by lowering costs on the biggest expenses in people’s budgets.

“Things are expensive out here for folks today and we are really going to be dedicated to streamlining government to continue to invest in people and maximize the resources to help improve quality of life here in Michigan,” Boring said.

Prestin believes if the Farm to Family Program gets $4 million, the state should do it right.

“Let’s fund it properly and let’s look at the variables that really change the whole paradigm, the whole nexus of how we get food, how we get commodities to the people who need them most,” Prestin said.

The overall budget recommendation includes ongoing funding of $144 million. The governor’s plans are now in the hands of the state legislature.