Growing Entrepreneurs and the Michigan Economy Parker Jones

Growing Entrepreneurs and the Michigan Economy Parker Jones Innovation Counselor MSU Product Center

Innovation Counselors � Provide business counseling to help entrepreneurs assess the developmental phase of projects, identify markets and guide them from concept to launch � Areas of expertise ◦ Food ◦ Agriculture ◦ Natural Resources ◦ Forestry

Innovation Counselor Network * * * ** * *

MSU Product Center � Provide strategic research and business development services in food, agriculture, and natural resources � Collaboration with MSU Extension, Ag-Bio. Research, and Department of Agricultural Food & Resource Economics

Products

Quick Poll § Cottage Food law exempts all but Potentially Hazardous Foods and Temperature Controlled for Safety foods (PHF, TCS) from some regulation § Question: what water activity and p. H values define nonexempt foods?

Answer § Entering the food sector can be daunting § (Products with water activity greater than 0. 85 and p. H ranges between 4. 6 and 7. 5 are not allowed under Cottage Food Law)

How can the Product Center help?

How can the Product Center help? Food science and testing § Nutritional labeling § Packaging § Connections to MSU resources §

Market. Maker • https: //mi. foodmarketmaker. com/ Web-based resource that provides a link between producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, farmers' markets, food service providers and end -consumers within the food supply chain.

Ag. Bio. Research A source of UP specific agriculture, natural resources and forestry research § Forest Biomass Innovation Center – Escanaba § Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center – Chatham § Dunbar Forest - Sault Ste. Marie

Larger Clients

Growing entrepreneurs and the Michigan economy § § § 4, 164 counseling sessions 689 clients 91 venture launches 461 jobs created 486 jobs retained $53, 435, 370 new investment

Questions ? Contact: jonesp 28@anr. msu. edu https: //www. canr. msu. e du/productcenter/