07/24/2019- Entrepreneurs the food industry in the UP are getting a leg-up in their business thanks to services from Michigan State University. Parker Jones is an innovation counselor with MSU Extension and gave the Menominee County Board an update on the different health and marketing activities he is running across the region. One of the most impactful programs, he says, has been the produce safety course, which covers new regulations and best practices for local producers.
Jones was also part of a Tourism Conference held in Iron Mountain earlier this year and says he’s working to increase awareness of how a strong local food system leads to a strong economy.
Jones provides entrepreneurial counseling services for the entire Upper Peninsula and currently has around 30 clients. Three of those come from Menominee County, which make it the second most active county behind Marquette County in the UP in that program.