ALPENA — Those who stand to benefit from the new federal farm bill will meet with staff from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to learn more about how competitive funding from the bill could bolster the region’s local food movement.

Molly Stepanski, Northeast local food coordinator with Taste the Local Difference, said staff from the office of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a ranking member of the committee, is hosting similar events throughout the state. Stepanski said she advocated for an event to be held in Northeast Michigan, to be held in Alpena next month.

“The main thing, moving forward, is that, with the new farm bill that came out, there’s historic investments in urban agriculture, organic production, beginning and minority farmers, and, for the first time, it establishes permanent funding for farmers markets, food hubs and other investments that drive Michigan’s local food economy,” Stepanski said.

Congress in December gave final approval to the massive bill that will provide more than $400 billion for agriculture subsidies, conservation programs and food aid.

Those invited to attend the event will be able to learn more about funding opportunities available to them, including grant funding to support the development and expansion of local and regional food markets, enterprises and producer-to-consumer marketing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced earlier this month that $23 million in grants are available through the Farmers Market Promotion Program and Local Food Promotion Program.

Stepanski said the range of people who could benefit from the Local Food Promotion Program is “very broad,” and that it could include farmers markets, agricultural businesses and cooperatives, producer networks and associations, regional farmers, nonprofit organizations, and more.

“Anyone who is trying to get help planning, establishing, or expanding a local and regional food business is prime for this,” she said.

One out of four jobs in Michigan are related to food and agriculture, according to an informational flyer from Stabenow’s office. The bill will also provide five years of certainty for Michigan’s farmers, fuel opportunity in rural communities, and grow small businesses, according to the senator.

The 2019 grant application period is now open, with applications due by June 18. Grants must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5687.