Transformational Collaboration: How Leading Brands Are Enabling America’s First Sustainable Urban Agrihood

Transformational Leadership

The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) has recently partnered with BASF, General Motors, HermanMiller, Stanley Black & Decker and Sustainable Brands, among others, to debut America’s first sustainable urban agrihood – an alternative neighborhood growth model in Detroit’s lower North End that positions agriculture as the centerpiece of a mixed-use urban development. Featuring a two-acre urban garden, a 200-tree fruit orchard, a children’s sensory garden, a healthy food café and a community resource center, this multi-stakeholder initiative aims to create tangible value for the local community while also serving as an effective platform for partnering brands to demonstrate their commitment to healthy living environments and sustainability. This discussion session will explore the project’s conception and execution to date, as well as the benefits for all stakeholders touched by this unique collaboration.