Board of Commissioners

Agri-Business Community Work Group


Report of the Agri-Business Community Work Group


Mission & Charge

To consider what steps can be taken to help support, expand, and attract agri-business (including both agricultural production and processing) in Kent County.

This should include consideration of

  1. what tools can be reasonably applied to ensure sufficient, suitable land for plant- and animal-based production,
  2. what efforts can be used to encourage local market outlets and processors to be located close to the product point of origination to enhance efficiency in delivery of product, and
  3. what steps can be taken to further promote Kent County for its agri-business on a regional and national scale.

Recommendations should be mindful of the limited resources local governments have to fund non-core/discretionary matters, and should address the likely means for funding recommended actions now and going forward.

Members

Jim Saalfeld, Chair - County Commissioner
Diane Jones - County Commissioner
Stan Ponstein - County Commissioner
Steve Grimm - Cannon Township Supervisor
Bryan Harrison - Caledonia Charter Township Supervisor
Rick Chapla - The Right Place, Inc.
Rick Baker - Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Mimi Fritz - Downtown Market
Bryan Posthumus - Local Agri-business Owner
Ed Robinette - Local Agri-business Owner
Patty Birkholz - League of Conservation Voters
Bert Bleke - Interested Citizen
Dr. Paul Isely – Grand Valley State University
Steve Wilson – Frey Foundation

Meeting Minutes & Agendas

The Agri-Business Community Work Group meetings are located at:

County Administration Building
3rd Floor; Room 310
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Meetings will be held on the following dates at 4:30pm:

Notice of Official Meetings
November 16, 2015 Agenda
October 12, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda
May 11, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
April 13, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
March 2, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
February 9, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
January 12, 2015 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
December 8, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
November 10, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
October 13, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
September 8, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
August 11, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes
June 9, 2014 Meeting Notice | Agenda | Minutes

Materials