A Michigan State University researcher will establish a so-called incubator farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula as part of an effort to improve food options in the region.
The project backed by a roughly $500,000 grant is led by Michigan State AgBioResearch scientist Matt Raven. The East Lansing university says the farm will be based at its Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, a more than 1,200-acre research site.
The farm will be an educational hub focusing on local, nutrient-dense food and technologies relevant to producing that food.
Michigan State says parts of the Upper Peninsula lack convenient access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. The area faces high costs of importing supplies and food, lower-quality soils in places and a cool northern climate with a short growing season.