michigan s opportunities and challenges msu faculty perspectives bringing communities into agriculture local food farming systems 1 situation overview development pressures remove some 75 000 acres of farmland per year much this loss comes from mid sized family farms the generational transition in is being broken as children leave for other careers simultaneously small less than 10 annual sales about 60 are on increase they now number 29 percent total offer enormous potential more diversified locally based economic activities many enterprises tailor their production to meet consumer demand produced which increasingly available through a growing farmers markets community supported operations csas direct market outlets several grant funded efforts have focused buy campaigns including department mda select program both vital part sustainable system new play an important role redefining profile hispanic
