MSU Extension Washtenaw County Extension Office

Lewis Hughes is a Local Foods Innovation Counselor based in Washtenaw County. Lewis's work as a Community Food Systems Educator focuses on connecting local and regional food producers with eaters in more equitable and efficient ways. As an Innovation Counselor for the MSU Product Center, Lewis assesses the development phase of a food or value-added agriculture business to provide guidance on business planning, market identification, innovation of new products, processing and licensing, product testing, packaging and labeling, pricing, wholesale marketing and more. Lewis has previously engaged with local food systems as an organic grower, food hub operator, grant administrator and educator and has conducted research on farming methods in Asia, Europe and throughout the US. Lewis has earned an M.A. in Food Studies from Indiana University studying global food systems and regenerative agriculture.