Small Farm Initiative (SFI)

Ann Arbor Township seeks to become the state's premier location for the establishment of small farm operations to supply excellent local and regional demands for fresh produce.

The Township's Small Farm Initiative (SFI) endeavors to link landowners, producers and markets, and can utilize its Purchase of Development Rights program to assist in reducing the cost of land acquisition. Support for the project is provided by a three-year grant from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

The primary outcome of the SFI is to establish small farms producing for regional markets using purchase of development rights (PDR) to reduce land costs, improve farm profitability and preserve farmland in a near-urban setting. Ann Arbor Township, with its proximity to the City of Ann Arbor and its ample open space and farmland, is an ideal location for this initiative.

In the short term, the SFI has identified interested landowners and can introduce them to prospective farmers so that both can learn about opportunities to work together and establish small farming operations. In the intermediate term, those relationships will be established and farmers will be encouraged to seek guidance in formulating sound business plans to meet market demands. The long-term outcomes (third year and beyond) will be to have established several operations and to share the results and lessons of our work with others in the immediate region, before reaching out to southeast Michigan, the entire state and beyond.

This project is being viewed as a demonstration for other communities interested in agricultural profitability, land use at the urban/rural interface and local food production. It is expected that new relationships will be created, small farm operations will be established, more local food and other produce will enter the marketplace and lessons will be learned to provide insight and establish the area as a center for innovative approaches to preserving farmland.

Background: Small Farm Initiative SARE proposal

Support the Small Farm Initiative

Linking Producers and Landowners and Markets

Producers

Local grower Shannon Brines in his hoophouse.

If you have land in Ann Arbor Township that you are interested in selling or renting for the Small Farm Initiative, please fill out the landowner survey (click here for MS Word version of landowner survey) and return to SFI project coordinator Barry Lonik or call (734) 223-2321.

Click here for the Application for the Township's PDR program.

One of the biggest impediments to establishing a new farm operation is the cost of land. This is especially true in the Ann Arbor area, where development pressure has traditionally made land prices so high as to preclude purchase for farming.

The Small Farm Initiative is endeavoring to assist beginning farmers in two primary ways:

• Finding smaller plots of land (one to 20 acres) on which a farming enterprise could operate, more likely on a lease arrangement.
• Purchasing development rights on larger parcels (20 acres and greater) so that land can be purchased at its agricultural value instead of its development value.

Assistance is also available through partner organizations to:

• Develop business plans
• Identify markets for crops
• Find housing if not available on site

If you are interested in farming in Ann Arbor Township please complete a short survey PDF for mailing or MS Word version for emailing and return to SFI project coordinator Barry Lonik or (734) 223-2321.

• Farmer's markets
• CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture, where consumers purchase an annual share of food produced on a farm)
• Natural foods grocery stores
• Restaurants
• Institutions such as hospitals, public schools and university dormitories.

The Small Farms project has developed contacts that can get produce to these and other markets. The Ann Arbor area is ripe with opportunity as there is strong support for local food. For more information contact the SFI project coordinator Barry Lonik or (734) 223-2321.

The Small Farm Initiative has identified a host of available properties and plots for small and medium-sized operations, most for rent and some for sale.

A. Properties for Sale

1. Domino's Farms, 4650 Warren Rd.-20 acres (16 acres arable), 1300 sf house, $260,000. View complete listing.

2. Oswell, Warren Rd -30 acres (10 acres woods, 15 acres arable), house, pole barn, $850,000. View complete listing.

B. Plots for Rent

1. Ann Arbor Township property-three acres, barn under restoration

2. Ann Arbor Township property-five acres, barn under restoration

3. Ann Arbor Township property-140+ acres

4. Stockton - Earhart Rd

5. Domino's Farms-Warren Rd., house for rent

6. Domino's Farms plots

7. Others possible along Whitmore Lake Road

C. Lease to Own/Land Contract

1. Oswell - Warren Rd. View property listing.

D. Other

1. Stein Rd - 73 acres, purchase after development rights are sold, 10 acres with house and buildings also available

2. Nixon & Warren Rds - 77 acres, purchase after development rights are sold, no buildings

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR): PDR is a means to compensate landowners for the development potential of their property while retaining private ownership. An independent real estate appraiser studies the property for development and for agriculture by comparing it to other nearby properties that have sold recently. The difference between the values in those studies establishes the value of the "development rights" which is paid in a lump sum or installments. A deed restriction called a "conservation easement" is drafted, signed and recorded ensuring the land's availability for farming and open space is maintained forever.

Voters in Ann Arbor Township passed a 20-year millage in 2003 to fund a PDR program. The Township Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board matches those funds with other sources to secure the funds to purchase development rights. The Township has completed two PDR projects (150 acres of the Kapp family farm on Nixon Road and 30 acres of the David Braun property on Whitmore Lake Road), and four others (620 acres) are in process. The Township also owns 150 acres of farmland that is available for agricultural production, including two small fields (see Available Properties).

Click here for the Application for the Township's PDR program.

Food System Economic Partnership

Michigan State University Student Organic Farm - Organic Farmer Training Program

Michigan State University Extension

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

Preserve Washtenaw

Private contributions help make land affordable for beginning farmers. Please consider supporting the Small Farm Initiative by making an earmarked donation to Ann Arbor Charter Township and mail to 3792 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor MI, 48105.