Center for Regional Food Systems

The Michigan State Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is the lead organization for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center, with network coordinators in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin (more information about the Center can be found below). 

As one of 12 Regional Food Business Centers funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this Regional Food Business Center will develop a grant program and a regional network of dedicated technical assistance providers committed to fostering the sustainable success of farmers, producers, and other food business owners.

To support the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center, CRFS will hire five new positions in early 2024. These positions will add needed person-power and skills to build its capacity to connect available resources to food and farm business entrepreneurs. All positions are remote-friendly, unless otherwise noted in the full position description.

Business Builder Grant Program Manager 

The Business Builder Grant Program Manager will work with regional network coordinators to develop and manage a fair regranting program for food and farm business entrepreneurs, manage business portfolios in Salesforce, and supervise the Grants Assistance Specialist.

The application period for this position is closed.

Grants Assistance Specialist  

The Grants Assistance Specialist will provide grant writing support, training, and other capacity building opportunities for food and farm business entrepreneurs across the region (IL, IN, MI, and WI).  

The application period for this position is closed.

Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center Administrator  

This Administrative Professional position (Research Administrator II) will oversee post-award and project administration activities, such as implementing a project management system, supporting coordination of activities and communication with partners and stakeholders, ensuring compliance and completion of deliverables, and managing the budget and contracts.  

The application period for this position has closed.

Evaluation Specialist 

The Evaluation Specialist will lead evaluation and monitoring activities for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center, such as coordinating and implementing needs and/or landscape assessments, developing and implementing evaluation and monitoring tools, data collection, analysis, and reporting, and working with regional partners to establish and implement data sovereignty practices. 

The application period for this position has closed.

Michigan Food and Farm Network Specialist

The Michigan Food and Farm Network Specialist will provide Michigan-based network coordination, outreach, and equitable business and technical assistance, also serving as part of the farm and food business development team at CRFS. Residence in Michigan is required.  

The application period for this position has closed.

If you have questions about the position or search process, please reach out to the contact listed on each job posting under Special Instructions. 

Application materials must be submitted through the careers.msu.edu website. 

About the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center

The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center is dedicated to offering coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building opportunities for farmers, producers, and other food business owners in support of a more resilient and competitive food system. Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (MI) coordinates the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center that is comprised of network coordinators – Chicago Food Policy Action Council (IL), Northwest Indiana Food Council (IN), Food Finance Institute of the University of Wisconsin System (WI), and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Food Systems – who seek to take a transformational, rather than transactional, approach. Learn more at glm-rfbc.msu.edu  

Learn more at glm-rfbc.msu.edu  

About Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS)

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) unites the knowledge of diverse food systems stakeholders with that of MSU faculty and staff to advance regionally-rooted food systems through applied research, education, and outreach. Our work fosters a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the nation, and the planet by increasing understanding of and engagement with systems that produce food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable.

Learn more at http://foodsystems.msu.edu/   

Support for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Business Centers Program. The 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers support all 50 U.S. States and Territories, and are inclusive of all types of agricultural products produced locally or regionally. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.  USDA Non-Discrimination Statement