Creating community among farmers, consumers

For the third summer running, Michigan Ag Council hosted on-farm dinners for its Down on MI Farm campaign. Down on MI Farm dinners present a unique opportunity to invite community members to visit a working farm, and spark positive conversations and experiences surrounding Michigan food and agriculture.

This year’s dinners were hosted at H&H Feed and Grain in Vicksburg, Carpenter Farms in Adrian, and Shady Lawn Farms in Bannister. Attendees engaged in hands-on experience stations including soy lip balm creation, make your own pork rub, and a drink-mixing station featuring Michigan distillers. 

Attendees also mingled with fellow community members and enjoyed a Michigan farm-to-table meal. During the dinner portion of the program, guests took assigned seats to further encourage candid conversations about life and Michigan agriculture. 

Hand-selected attendees included farmers representing various commodity sectors, community members and social media influencers. 

School administrators, health and wellness coaches, doctors, university staff, chamber of commerce directors and local government officials were among the invitees, while social media influencers from across the state were paid to take part.

Because of this partnership with influencers, an estimated 940,000 of their followers got an inside look into Michigan agriculture. 

Over the three events, more than 50 community and social influences were able to take part and learn more about the farms and families who contribute to Michigan’s economy and food supply. 

One attendee’s survey feedback summed up the importance of bringing a diverse mix of community and farm members to share authentic farm experiences: 

“As I looked around at the tables, toured the farm and visited with other guests, it became clearer to me that we are all in this together. We need each other in order to survive and thrive.” 

The Michigan Ag Council exists to help tell the story of Michigan farm families and the 300 plus commodities that are grown in our state. Events such as the Down on MI Farm dinner series help to bridge the gap between Michigan consumers and those who raise our food. A special thank you to our dinner sponsors, Michigan Soybean, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, and the Michigan Pork Producers Association for their collaboration on these events. 

Click here to learn more about the Michigan Ag Council’s mission and how to get involved.