MSUE Greening Michigan Institute Rick Foster, director and professor

Greening Michigan Institute Basic Assumptions  21 st Century Challenges are Food, Water, Energy  Operating in a Global Climate Change Environment  Action is Needed Locally and Globally  Natural and Human Resources are Significant Assets for Growing Sustainable Economies and Communities in Michigan

GMI Work Groups Community Food Systems Natural Resources Government and Public Policy Sustaining Community Prosperity  Community Engagement and Leadership  Finance, Housing and Energy

Community Food Systems Work Group We envision a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for all of Michigan and its people through a food system rooted in local communities and centered on Good Food – that is, food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable.

Community Food Systems Work Group – Focus Areas 1.Expanding Markets – Farm to Market, Retail, and Institutions. 2.Public Education and Understanding of the Food Systems 3.Establish and Sustain Community Food Councils

Community Food Systems Work Group – Programs  Youth Farm Stands and Gardens  Food Safety and GAP Training  Develop New Food Hubs  Community and School Gardens  Training and Education for Food Service Directors  Establish Food-Related Businesses and Business Expansion Opportunities  Link to Healthy People and Healthy Communities Programs

Government and Public Policy Work Group – Focus Areas 1.Good Community Governance 2.Sustaining Fiscal Capacity 3.Fostering Strong Regions and Communities

Government and Public Policy Work Group – Programs  New County Commissioner Education  Citizen Planner and Advanced Citizen Planner  County and Municipal Emergency Decision Marking Education  Regional and Community Governance Education  Building Strong Sovereign Nations  Form Based Codes  Strategic Regional and Community Growth  Youth Programming in Governance

Natural Resources Work Group – Focus Areas 1.Natural Resource-Based Enterprise Development 2.Addressing Ecological Health for Social and Economic Benefit 3.Increasing Engagement/Volunteerism and Leadership Through Enhanced Natural Resource Literacy

Natural Resource Work Group Programming  Coastal Community Development (w/Sea Grant)  Renewal Energy Education and Development  Business and Entrepreneurial NR Education  Generating Wealth From the Land and Forests  Natural Shoreline Development  Invasive Species Education and Control  Natural Resources Leadership/Literacy Education

Sustaining Community Prosperity Michigan’s vibrant green and natural resource economy prospers. Models for sustainable living extend to unique rural communities and thriving urban centers which engage and attract creative entrepreneurial talent and visitors from around the world.

Sustaining Community Prosperity Work Group – Focus Areas 1.Decision Making for Sustainability - Triple Bottom Line Plus 2.Placemaking for Sustainable Communities and Economies 3.Growing Entrepreneurs and New Businesses 4.Finance, Housing and Energy – MI Money Health 5.Community Engagement and Leadership

Sustaining Community Prosperity Work Group – Programming  Decision Making and Sustainability Education  Emergency Fiscal Decision Making Education  Train the Trainer for Triple Bottom Line Outcomes  Entp and Business Development Education  Product Center and Creating Entp. Communities  Sustainable Tourism, Arts and Culture  Green Community Planning and Recognition Programs  Regional and Community Leadership and Engagement  Family and Community Financial Education/Literacy

GMI Indicators (examples) Action Increased healthy food sales, production, processing, businesses. Increased confidence in local governance Landowners implement new businesses based on natural assets Community/Regional leaders embrace entrepreneurship  Condition  MI farmers provide 20% of MI food purchases  Strong, vibrant community and regional governments  New land-based enterprises are fiscally, environmentally, and socially stable  Michigan people create new, vibrant and sustainable businesses from natural, renewable assets

Working across groups Seek opportunity to connect with programs across the Greening Michigan Institute Seek opportunity to connect with programs of other MSUE Institutes and partners Explore common goals and outcomes for creating unique MSUE work groups not connected to any one Institute.

MSUE Greening Michigan Institute