A Framework for Food and Farming in Northwest Michigan was prepared as part of the Framework for Our Future: A Regional Prosperity Plan for Northwest Michigan, a regional resource for local governments, community organizations working to meet local goals. The Framework was developed as part of Michigan’s Regional Prosperity Initiative, as initiated by Governor Rick Snyder and signed into law as a part of the FY 2014 budget. The Regional Prosperity Initiative encourages local private, public, and non-profit partners to identify regionally aligned growth and investment strategies for the State of Michigan to support, not the other way around. It also provides the framework for streamlining state services and highlighting the regionally defined goals and strategies that will further Northwest Michigan’s success.

The Framework for Our Future includes information and tools that can help stakeholders address issues such as housing, transportation, land use, energy, arts and culture, workforce and economic development, community health, food and farming systems, and natural resources.