MIFFS April Newsletter

Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) is a statewide, non-profit organization c onnecting beginning and historically underserved farmers to each other and resource opportunities; ensuring social justice, environmental stewardship, and profitability.

We're back! Thank you for your patience while we took some time to catch up after the Michigan Family Farms Conference.

The 15th annual conference was a huge success! Thank you all for attending, volunteering, presenting, and supporting the conference. We couldn't do it without you!

This year's conference, Cultivating a Thriving Food Community... From the Soil on Up, was held at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. With 21 workshops, a youth track, an engaging keynote by Dr. Monica White, musical performance by the Suzuki Academy, a tour of the Food Innovation Center, plus plenty of locally grown and produced food, it is safe to say that there was something for everyone at the conference.

Stay tuned as we prepare to make announcements for the 2019 Michigan Family Farms Conference!

Meet the new Programs Manager at MIFFS

My name is John McCarthy and I am so excited to join the team at MIFFS! I've been in “food systems” for many years in different roles. I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and started my career right out of culinary school as a chef in a few different restaurants. I continued in restaurants for 15 years and realized that I wanted to work more in finance and business and less in the heat of the kitchen! I returned to school and soon after made the move to Michigan.

While earning my Bachelors in Business Administration at Ferris University I managed the Guest Service & Café for a few years at Target. During that time while I was looking for my next career step, I took the Urban Gardener Certification offered at the Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC). It was here that I was introduced to the Mid-Michigan food system and food hubs; I knew it was where I wanted to be! I continued as the Exchange Manager at the ANC for almost three years - building the Veggie Box Program, supporting local farmers, becoming a food safety auditor and further developing many programs.

When I am not at work, I love to garden, cook, jam, tinker with clocks and play with my dogs. I recently built a very small greenhouse in our backyard on the West Side of Lansing to extend the season a bit and grow more. Much of the produce that we are growing is canned and processed. Someday maybe this hobby will turn into a business!

I look forward to this new opportunity at MIFFS and am excited to meet the many faces of farming!

Community Resources/Announcements

Finding Farmland Calculator

The National Young Farmers Coalition recently launched their Finding Farmland Calculator. Use this calculator to build scenarios for purchasing farmland.

You can compare detailed estimates of total costs, monthly payments and affordability metrics, then download the results to have on hand when meeting with a loan officer.

MIFFS Land Chat

MIFFS Land Chat is a Michigan-based online forum to connect those who have land to lease or sell with those who need land to farm. It's that simple.

Post what you have or what you need and be as descriptive as possible.

Get Free Help with USDA Paperwork

MIFFS has field staff available to help navigate USDA programs and paperwork, a service that is provided free of charge through our farmer networks. All producers interested in applying for EQIP funding or High Tunnel initiatives should contact local USDA offices and Conservation Districts to request a Conservation Plan as soon as possible.

Contact Jen Silveri at [email protected] for more information.

Join us in supporting the many faces of farming

Become a Member

Become a member of MIFFS and help us support the many faces of farming.

Joint Membership be tween MIFFS and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is also available.

Dig In! DONATE

We greatly appreciate any and all donations.

Whether you’re giving to a specific program, project or our general fund, thank you! Donation options include Michigan Family Farms Conference, Women in Ag, Vets in Ag, or Tilian Farm Development Center.

E. News Sign Up!

Your contribution, in any capacity, is welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for playing a critical role in making Michigan farming an attractive and viable livelihood.

Sincerely, MIFFS

Website Many Faces Programs & Services Events About

480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517.709.8271 | [email protected]