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. 
The 15th Annual Conference is a week away. We looking forward to seeing you there.
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. Get your tickets today.
February 3, 2018
2018 Michigan Family Farms Conference
Registration is open for the 15th Annual 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: All Registration closes on the morning of Saturday, January 27th


Farm Registration at the Conference:
Do you have a farm – big or small – but haven’t found the time to get your USDA Farm Number? The time has come. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering farm registration services on-site at the 2018 Michigan Family Farms Conference! Click here to find out what to bring.

Farm Development Centers and Networks
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.
Tilian FDC

We look forward to seeing you next season at Tilian Farm Development Center. Contact Tilian@gmail.com for more information or an application for the 2018 season.
Vets in Ag Network
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.
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.
Community Resources/Announcements

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.
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. 

Contact  lacey@miffs.org  for more information or to be added to the calendar.
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 jen@miffs.org for more information.
Join us in supporting the many faces of farming
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.
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.
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
  480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: 517.709.8271 | info@miffs.org