These generous organizations provide the grant funds which provide the staff, infrastructure, and outreach necessary to make MIFarmLink successful. We appreciate their continued support in the preservation of Michigan farms and farming that allow this platform to continue free of charge for the farming community.
The Carls Foundation
Bill Carls immigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of 21 and started his company, Numatics Inc, out of his garage in 1945. The Carls Foundation was founded in 1961 as a way for Bill and his wife Marie to give back to the community through charitable grants. The Carls Foundation has broadly defined charitable purposes, but today the principal purpose and mission of the Foundation as outlined by its donor-founder and its Trustees is children's welfare and preservation of natural areas. MIFarmLink is lucky to have received over $80,000 in support from The Carls Foundation.
Towsley Foundation
We would like to thank our supporters at the Harry A & Margaret D Towsley Foundation, who have generously granted MIFarmLink $20,000 worth of support. Started in 1959, the Towsley Foundation partners with other charitable organizations to support creative, strategic, effective and sustainable approaches to improving the lives of people and communities in our ever-changing world.
The Americana Foundation
MIFarmLink is very lucky to have received $30,000 of financial support from The Americana Foundation. This organization, established by Michigan farmers Adolf and Ginger Meyer, continues their legacy of philanthropic investment in the community by supporting the development of sustainable agriculture and community food systems, the protection of natural resources and conservation of early American heritage. To learn more about The Americana Foundation, visit the Meyer's historic farmstead now known as MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center.
USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program
Financial support to launch MIFarmLink came through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). In her role as Agriculture and Economic Resources Coordinator for Ottawa County, Becky Huttenga applied for the BFRDP grant which resulted in the county being awarded $45,000 to develop, launch and pilot the website through 2022.
