Through a partnership with the University of Michigan’s Community Based Research Fellowship Program, FSEP conducted Beginning Farmer Research in 2010 to determine the market opportunity for new programming. As the farming community continues to age, the need for new farmers becomes increasingly important. One way to increase the number of farmers in production is through Beginning Farmer programs that provide financial, and educational support, in addition to providing access to tools and land.  Future Farmer Research Project Report

Through the development of a Beginning Farmer Program in southeast Michigan, FSEP is able to partner with other organizations to increase the number of new farmers entering the field, thus increasing the production of food for the local market, creating jobs for Michigan residents and economic opportunity for the farming community.

One of the programs FSEP is working with is Tilian Farm Development Center in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor Township owns 153 acres with a vision to utilize this property to promote new farming and agricultural business development. The mission of Tilian Farm Development Center is to facilitate new farm-business development in order to increase year-round diversified food production for local markets. “Tilian” is the Old English root word of “to till or to cultivate; to strive; to obtain.” FSEP is a founding member of the Steering Committee. The group chose the name to represent the mission of having a vital local farm economy that will transform the land. To learn more about the Beginning Farmer Program or the Tilian Farm Development Center, contact Jennifer Fike at fikej@fsepmichigan.org.
Tilian Informationhttp://tilianfarmers.blogspot.com/p/about-tilian.html

Tilian Farm Development Center Accepting Applications
APPLY NOW to launch your farm business at Tilian in 2012!
Are you an entrepreneurial-minded farmer eager to start your business in Michigan? Are you committed to farming long term, building relationships within your community and boosting the local economy by increasing access to local food? Then you should consider applying to Tilian’s Four Season Farmer Incubator Project today!  Click below to access the full application.  https://docs.google.com/a/fsepmichigan.org/document/d/1Tk3SobCXUaauIfGrdljS-k9T3UMK4zlgfjRqA1PsGFg/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1