Event Season is upon us!
Tomorrow, December 5, 2017
Meet the Buyers
is held in conjunction with the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (GLEXPO), in Grand Rapids on December 5th. The event has two parts: a morning workshop with an interactive panel of buyers and producers, and an evening reception that provides a casual atmosphere for networking.
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February 2, 2018
Transitioning Farmland to the Next Generation of Farmers
Southwest Land Access Partners will hold its first educational summit on February 2, 2018 at Kalamazoo Valley College, Culinary Allied Health Building from 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM. The goal of this educational summit is to help landowners understand succession planning as it pertains to land protection and transfer and to assist beginning farmers in understanding how to acquire land.
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February 3, 2018
2018 Michigan Family Farms Conference
This year's conference,
Cultivating a Thriving Food Community... From the Soil on Up
will be held Saturday, February 3 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Thanks to this great new partnership, we're offering an optional lunchtime tour of the Food Innovation Center/Food Hub - so make sure to sign up for that when you register.
MFFC 2018 will have more sessions then ever and we’re proud to have
Dr. Monica White
deliver the keynote address.
Registration and sponsorship opportunities:
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Farm Development Centers and Networks
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Women in Ag Network
Thank you to all the woman farmers who have participated in the Network and Farm Development Center. We had our last network meeting yesterday and wrap up 2017 confident with the impact this group has on the lives of woman farmers in the Genesee area. To stay up to date on events like this as well as everything else the Women in Ag Network is doing, visit our
Facebook
Page.
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Tilian FDC
We look forward to seeing you next season at Tilian Farm Development Center.
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Veteran Product Guide
We are proud to announce our partnership with
Taste the Local Difference
to publish the Michigan Farmer Veteran Product Guide. This guide will be a special insert in the Fall 2018 Taste the Local Difference publications that highlights veteran owned farms in Michigan. To get your farm included please
click here to fill out the registration form
for this very special marketing opportunity!
Taste the Local Difference
is Michigan's Local Food Marketing Agency, committed to offering affordable marketing services to every sector of the state's food system (farms, farmers markets, independent retailers, restaurants, breweries, and more). In addition to their searchable online directory that networks local food buyers and sellers, TLD produces an annual print edition of their Guide to Local Food and Farms. These regional guides are distributed for free as a community resource throughout 47 Michigan counties, and growing. TLD educates consumers and promotes the importance of local food and agriculture in an effort to help the entire state realize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of local food.
To see what marketing tools TLD has to offer to your business,
click
HERE
Consider joining TLD to grow your business in 2018. To sign up, follow this
link
to create an account. For assistance creating or editing your account, or general questions, contact your regional Local Food Coordinator (below).
The deadline to be included in the 2018 TLD Guide to Local Food:
February 1st, 2018.
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Farm Development Centers and Networks are at the core of MIFFS’ work and depend in part on member support. If you like the work we’re doing and would like to make a donation, please visit the link below.
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Farm Bill Update
Activity in Washington D.C. is picking up around the Farm Bill and we encourage you to take action! The Farm Bill impacts everything we do, from food, farming, construction, water, and sewer infrastructure, to fiber for fabrics, forestry, public health and research.
The Local Food and Regional Market Supply Act (Local FARMS Act) was introduced today. “Programs that support local and regional food systems are essential to the success of our emerging generation of farmers,” said Jennifer Silveri, Director of Field Operations at MIFFS. “They are also vital for the security and integrity of our food system, and for ensuring equitable access to fresh, nutrient dense foods. The farmers and organizations that rely on these programs to support farm and food systems across the country have spent a lot of their time, energy and resources on advocating for Congress’ support. We hope that Congress will take up the measures of the Local FARMS Act and that time and energy will have been well spent.”
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Community Resources/Announcements
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MIFFS is conducting a survey to aide MSU Extension in collecting information about the impacts of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) on small fruit growers in southwest MI. Survey questions were provided by MSU Extension and information gathered will be used to tailor outreach and education for 2018.
Please take a minute to complete
the survey and help us assist farmers.
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FoodCorps is hiring a full-time Michigan Program Manager based out of Detroit. See
the posting
for more information.
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Deadline today...December 4, last day to sign up for Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program
Sign up here
December 7, Last day to sign up for
Farmer Rancher Grant Program
Sign up here
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Let's Farm Michigan is a collective calendar of farmer events held throughout the state. All events listed on this site must be organized for farmers and located in Michigan.
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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.
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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.
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Join us in supporting the many faces of farming
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Joint Membership
be
tween MIFFS and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is also available.
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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.
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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
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480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
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