Guides

Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses, Digital Directory Edition

Published on December 9, 2024
Explore an overview of various financing sources available to food-related businesses in Michigan and across the United States through this new digital directory format.
Time Management Workbook for Food and Farm Entrepreneurs

Published on February 29, 2024
A workbook with guides, multimedia presentation links, and templated resources to assist food and farm entrepreneurs with task management and prioritization.
Time Management Workbook for Food & Farm Businesses

Published on January 30, 2024
This workbook was designed by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) Business Assistance team to help food and farm entrepreneurs make business planning an achievable, approachable, and beneficial endeavor.
Bulletin E-3428 Farm Loans and Credit Underwriting: The Five C's of Credit

Published on November 28, 2023
This publication reviews what a lender looks for in a loan application and how they look for assurances that approving a credit request is a good decision.
Farm Finance Scorecard (Fillable Form)

Published on September 12, 2023
The Farm Finance Scorecard gives the definition of the Farm Financial Standards Council ratios as well as how to calculate each ratio.
An Annotated Bibliography on Structural Racism Present in the U.S. Food System, Tenth Edition

Published on August 9, 2023
An annotated bibliography of resources and publications on structural racism in the U.S. food system. The tenth edition contains over 650 annotated references.
How Much Should I Buy? A Guide to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Home Cooking

Published on May 11, 2023
MSU Extension, with the assistance of Project FRESH-Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, has produced this guide to assist consumers with assessing proportions of fresh produce needed for specific meals.
MSU Statement of Cash Flows Template

Published on March 6, 2023
The statement of cash flows is a financial statement that summarizes the movement of cash coming in and going out of a farm business.
MSU Income Statement Template

Published on March 3, 2023
The MSU Income Statement Template assists farms in creating an income statement for their farm operation. An income statement measures farm profitability by summarizing revenue and expenses for an accounting or production period.
Michigan Good Food Charter

Published on July 26, 2022
The Michigan Good Food Charter is a vision and a roadmap to advance Michigan’s food and agricultural contributions to the economy, protect our natural resource base, improve our residents’ health, and enable generations of Michigan youth to thrive.
Bulletin E-3425 Loans & Security: An Introduction to Farm Collateral

Published on June 23, 2022
A bulletin from the DEMaND series on understanding collateral and loan security requirements for your farm
Farm to Institution Food Safety Basics

Published on April 20, 2022
Institutional buyers have a variety of options to verify their produce suppliers’ food safety practices. This resource includes videos, case studies, and links to additional information to learn about on-farm produce safety practices.
Bulletin E-3423 Farm Management Experience Resource Guide

Published on February 18, 2022
This publication is intended to assist beginning farmers in better understanding and demonstrating management experience.
BOLETÍN E-3407SP: Cómo motivar a su prestamista para que diga "sí"

Published on November 9, 2021
Un boletín de la serie DEMaND para agricultores principiantes de MSU Extension con sugerencias para ayudar a los agricultores principiantes a comprender el proceso de préstamos para obtener financiamiento agrícola.
Farm Balance Sheet Template

Published on December 9, 2020
This document is an Excel based balance sheet for farm businesses.
Bulletin E-3407: How to Motivate Your Lender to Say, “Yes”

Published on July 31, 2019
A bulletin by MSU Extension's Beginning Farmer DEMaND Series with suggestions to help beginning farmer understand the lending process in order to obtain farm financing.
Alimentos Locales para Pequeños Comensales: Una Guía de Migrant & Seasonal Head Start para la Compra de Alimentos Locales

Published on May 20, 2019
Programas de Head Start Migrante y Estacional pueden aprender a comprar y usar más alimentos cultivados localmente en sus programas que sirven niños de trabajadores agrícolas migrantes y estacionales.
Granja para los migrantes y de temporada Head Start en acción

Published on May 20, 2019
Esta guía demuestra programas de granja para Migrant and Seasonal Head Start por toda la nación, los cuales compran y sirven alimentos locales.
Measuring Racial Equity in the Food System: Established and Suggested Metrics

Published on May 6, 2019
This tool contains 86 metrics to help hold ourselves accountable for progress towards a more equitable food system.
Hoophouse Production and Marketing Guide

Published on January 7, 2019
This guide provides suggestions and parameters for hoophouse planting, crop spacing, realistic yields, common cultivars, and direct market and wholesale pack sizes and pricing.