Rebuilding Local Poultry Processing in Northern Michigan

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared what happened when Northern Michigan lost access to its last licensed poultry processor, the real cost of traveling long distances for processing, and the challenges farms face in rebuilding that infrastructure.

So where do we go from here?

At Danu Hof, we believe the answer is not just restoring access for one farm, but creating something that can serve our broader community.

We are working toward building a small-scale, MDARD-licensed poultry processing facility here in Northern Michigan — one designed to support not only our farm, but other farms, homesteads, and community members who rely on access to safe, legal poultry processing.

At the same time, we are also working toward supporting conversations around policy and legislation, with the goal of creating a more accessible path between small-scale, direct-to-customer poultry production and fully licensed processing. Right now, that jump is significant, and creating a more gradual, scalable pathway could allow more farms to participate in local food production.

A Facility Designed for Community

The goal of this project is to create a practical, accessible solution to a regional problem.

With local processing no longer available, many farms have been left without viable options. By rebuilding this infrastructure, we can help restore the ability for farms to raise and sell poultry locally through multiple sales channels.

But the vision goes beyond access alone.

This facility is being designed as a shared resource, with the intention of supporting:

• small and mid-sized farms

• homesteaders looking for safe processing options

• new and beginning farmers learning how to raise poultry

• community members interested in understanding where their food comes from

  
  

Local food systems are strongest when knowledge and resources are shared.

Pairing Infrastructure with Education

One of the most important pieces of this project is education.

We are currently in conversation with partners to explore opportunities for workshops and hands-on learning experiences focused on poultry processing, food safety, and small farm viability.

By pairing infrastructure with education, we can help lower barriers for new farmers and provide pathways for more people to participate in local food production.

This ensures that the impact of this project extends beyond a single season or a single farm.

Building for the Long Term

Rebuilding local poultry processing is not a quick fix.

It requires thoughtful planning, investment, and a commitment to doing things in a way that supports long-term success — for farms, for consumers, and for the environment.

This facility is being designed to meet current regulatory standards while remaining appropriately scaled for our region. The goal is to create something that is both functional and sustainable, without overbuilding or limiting access.

Because when infrastructure is built with intention, it has the ability to serve a community for years to come.

A Community Effort

This project is not something we can do alone.

It’s why we’ve launched a community fundraising campaign and continue to pursue grant opportunities to help bring this vision to life.

The response so far has been incredibly encouraging — a reminder that people care deeply about where their food comes from and want to see local farms succeed.

Rebuilding local processing is about more than convenience. It’s about:

• keeping food local

• supporting small farms

• strengthening regional food systems

• ensuring that future generations have access to locally raised, responsibly produced food

  
  

Moving Forward

There is still work to be done, but this is a meaningful step forward.

By rebuilding local poultry processing capacity, we have the opportunity to strengthen our regional food system in a way that benefits farms, families, and our broader community.

Because local food doesn’t just depend on farmers — it depends on the infrastructure that allows that food to reach the people who need it.