Business Resources

All Seasons Tax & Accounting Service

103 E. First St. Suite 1 Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629 | 231-714-9667

All Seasons Tax & Accounting Services provides every client with innovative and creative solutions to increase profitability and exceed expectations. We’re committed to your individual goals and visions through direct involvement with your business or individual long-term plans. Whether visiting us in one of our office locations or using mobile accounting and letting us come to you, we will conquer the task at hand while offering suggestions for future improvements.

We provide bookkeeping and tax services. We are Quickbook Pro Advisors.

Baskets to Pallets Program

Michigan

Eastern Market launched a farmer-development course adapted from the Cornell Baskets to Pallets curriculum to help direct-to-consumer farmers gain the skills and tools necessary for appropriately scaling up their farming operations to serve wholesale markets. The five-module online-hybrid course offers one-on-one consulting/technical assistance and peer-to-peer learning covering the following topics: Marketing, Branding, Finance, Post-Harvest Handling, and Food Safety. This program is supported through a USDA Beginning Farmer/Rancher Grant and is free to students.

Conservation Partners

PO Box 47 Traverse City, MI  49684 510-290-0165

Founded in 1985, Conservation Partners is dedicated to promoting the preservation of land for the public interest. Under the direction of Ellen Fred, Conservation Partners specializes in advising, negotiating and drafting agreements to protect agricultural lands, natural habitats and open spaces. 

The team has successfully completed a vast array of transactions involving conservation easements, land acquisitions and federal land exchanges; we have also successfully resolved stewardship issues that arise post-transaction.

The work of Conservation Partners has resulted in thousands of acres of land being conserved for the benefit of the public and in some cases for public use.

FINBIN

Michigan | (800) 234-1111

FINBIN is one of the largest and most accessible sources of farm financial and production benchmark information in the world. FINBIN places detailed reports on whole farm, crop, and livestock financials at your fingertips.

With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can see reports such as:

Soybean cost and returns by tillage system
Dairy cost and returns by size or location of herd
Farm financial standards measures by type or size of farm

The possibilities are endless. Select Whole Farm Reports, Crop Reports, or Livestock Reports to create your own custom report.

Fraleigh Law Firm

6200 Pine Hollow Dr. Suite 200 East Lansing, MI  48823 | 800-928-0034

We are a Michigan farm, business and estate planning law firm. We work with you to protect you, your loved ones, your assets, and the quality of your lives.  We have the expertise to guide you through the planning process to ensure your estate plan, succession plan, business structure, and long-term care plan serve both your personal and business needs.  .

We specialize in: Estate Planning, Farm-Ranch & Business Succession Planning, Elder Law & Long-Term Care Planning, Protection of Disabled Children & Adults, Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Trust Administration & Probate.

Every family is unique.  We work with you to determine the appropriate legal strategy to achieve your goals so that you pass on your legacy to your family at the right time and in the manner that you desire.

Leelanau Conservancy/Farmland Protection

105 N 1st St Leland, Mi 49654 | 231-256-9665

The Leelanau Conservancy has already protected nearly 5,000 acres of farmland through a mechanism called Purchase of Development Rights. In a nutshell, farmers are paid the difference between what their land is worth as farmland versus what it is worth as residential land. Farmers retain all rights to their land and continue to farm it, but the land is restricted from development. Each agreement–the legal term is conservation easement– is different and is tailored to the needs and desires of each landowner.

To date, the Conservancy has brought in over $4 million in state and federal farmland protection funds to complete a number of projects throughout the county. We are proud to have preserved the 4th generation Stanek Farm in Elmwood Township and the Newton Farm and it’s beautiful views of the Manitou Passage from Jelinek Road in Leelanau Township.

Director of Farmland & Easement Programs, Kim Hayes, [email protected]

Michigan Agrability

12152 Cascade Rd. Lowell, Mi 49331 | 800-956-4106

Michigan AgrAbility is a joint partnership between Easter Seals Michigan and Michigan State University Extension to provide direct services to farmers with injuries, illnesses, or aging conditions so they can continue the occupation and lifestyle they love.  We research and develop useful farming tools, equipment and methods that enable farmers to work longer and feel better. We provide critical services because medical insurance and disability insurance plans often do not cover the costs of rehabilitation services at the farm work site or assistive technology to enable a farmer to continue working.

See and share farmers ideas for adapting machinery to make it easier to keep working at https://www.facebook.com/groups/150708448363552/

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

PO Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909 | 517-243-8046

The MI Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development protects, preserves, and promotes the food, agricultural, environmental and economic interests of the people of Michigan.

MDARD is comprised of seven divisions that cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public’s food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.

Michigan’s Farmer Union

10348 W. Airline Road Weidman, MI  48893 | 989-644-3907

We work to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life of family farmers, fruit growers, nursery growers, livestock farmers and consumers throughout the Great Lake State.

Michigan Farmers Union’s members include family farmers and growers, conservation organizations, farmers markets and food co-ops. Dairy farmers, grape growers, fruit and vegetable growers and livestock producers are all supported by our grass-roots organization.

Michigan Farmers Union is a home for all family farmers who are committed to conserving our state’s natural bounty – whether they are long-established or beginning their agricultural journey.

Members engage elected officials and public agencies, and encourage them to implement and enforce laws and regulations that will strengthen Michigan agriculture. Our members guide our organization and its actions.

Michigan Farmers Union works for you through education, legislation and cooperation.

MSU Extension Succession & Estate Planning

520 W Front St Traverse City, Michigan 49684

The long-term future of Michigan farms and agribusinesses is dependent upon successful business transitions to the next generations. The goal is to keep the assets and resources of the business in agricultural on a sustainable basis. The FIRM team conducts programs that help families of these businesses utilize various tools to address intergenerational business transfers and avoid potential pitfalls including excessive estate taxes and inadequate funds for purchasing sibling shares of the estate. It has been proven that families who have a plan which utilized these tools have a higher success rate and better family harmony when transferring the business to the next generation.

MSU Extension has Farm Management Educators that specialize in Farm Succession and Estate Planning. Please feel free to contact your local Michigan State University Extension office to contact your nearest Farm Management Educator. 

National Farm Medicine Center

1000 N Oak Ave Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449 | 1.800.662.6900

Established in 1981 in response to occupational health problems seen in farm patients coming to Marshfield Clinic, the National Farm Medicine Center has focused on evolving issues in agricultural health and safety encompassing behavioral, laboratory and clinical research. Since 1997, the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety within the National Farm Medicine Center has been one of eight Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education and Prevention funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety strives to enhance the health and safety of all children exposed to hazards associated with agricultural work and rural environments. National child agricultural injury statistics.

Northwest Michigan Works!

1209 S Garfield Ave Ste C Traverse City, MI 49686 | 800-442-1074

Northwest Michigan Works! is dedicated to helping employers and career seekers in Northwest Michigan by offering a variety of no-cost services in our 5 one-stop-shop centers, located at:

103 Third Street – Kalkaska, 231-258-8889
2240 Mitchell Park Drive – Petoskey, (231) 347-5150, [email protected]
1209 S. Garfield Avenue – Traverse City, (231) 922-3700  |  (800) 442-1074, [email protected]
1660 US 31 South – Manistee, (231) 723-2535, [email protected]
401 North Lake Street – Cadillac, (231) 775-3408, [email protected]

Business Services: We provide free human resources information and assistance to small and large businesses. Business Liaisons assist employers with employee recruitment and training, and connect businesses with other resources such as the Small Business Development Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Job Seeker Services: Job seekers receive help with writing résumés, career information and job search, interest assessments and more in the job seeker resource rooms. Career Advisors assist job seekers with accessing publicly-funded programs for returning to school or on-the-job training.

Learning Labs: Adults attend the Michigan WORKS! Learning Labs to receive individualized instruction for increasing job skills or obtaining a GED high school equivalency diploma.

Youth Services: Youth of the Northwest Michigan region can receive specialized assistance from a Youth Advisor. Services include employment assistance, drop-out prevention, internships, summer jobs for disadvantaged youth, social behavior and soft skills training, and more.

SCORE

202 East Grandview Pkwy Traverse City, MI 49684 | 888-796-4913

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for over fifty years.

Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to our network of 11,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at very low cost.

We can provide: Volunteer MENTORS who share their expertise across 62 industries; free, confidential business MENTORING in person or via email; free business TOOLS, templates and tips online; inexpensive or free business WORKSHOPS (locally) and webinars (online 24/7).

Our 320+ chapters hold events and workshops locally across the U.S. and its territories, and match up entrepreneurs with local, volunteer mentors.

Small Farm Nation Academy

1321 Upland Dr., Suite 6374 Houston, Texas 77043 | 802-489-6864

Small Farm Nation Academy is an online membership site that teaches you how to attract customers and chefs who will pay the prices you deserve so your farm will be financially sustainable.

Video courses on farm marketing, building a farm brand, growing an email list, creating a farm website and much more. A WordPress farm website is even included.

Become a member today!

Strawberry Solar

4444 Second Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48201 | (313) 960-7900

True North Financial

7117 Logan Lane Traverse City, MI 49684 | 231-649-6367

True North Financial has responded to the increasing need for specialized services for agricultural businesses and farm producers and the related desire for specific knowledge about the agriculture industry. From family farms to vineyards, food producers and processors, we are dedicated to providing sophisticated accounting, tax, payroll processing, and business advisory services specific to the agri-business industry.

USDA Rural Development

3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200 East Lansing, Michigan 48823 | 517-324-5222

USDA provides funding opportunities for rural small businesses through loans, loan guarantees, and grants.

Zimmerman’s High Tunnels

11693 Sims Rd Versailles, Missouri 65804 | 414-916-9876

Manufacturer of high tunnels & greenhouses