The theme for the 2019 MFFC has been announced! Drumroll, please--
"Tools for Agricultural Success- What's in Your Shed?"
The RFP for the MFFC is open for another couple weeks. If you are interested in presenting at the conference, follow the link to the RFP
here. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2018.
Do you shop at Amazon? You can automatically donate 0.5% of your purchase to MIFFS when you register us as your charity of choice. Follow the smile below to sign in and make each dollar count!
|
|
WIA Farm Development Center
|
|
Flint Native LaBria Lane is the owner of MarySam’s Gardens, located at the Women in Agriculture Development Center in Grand Blanc, MI. LaBria's interest in agriculture was sparked at age 17 on Flint River Farm (FRF), a small urban farm in downtown Flint. She grew close to the owner of FRF who then mentored her thereafter. As a graduate of Mott Middle College, she received three associates degrees by age 19. Soon after she spread her wings to become an intern at the prestigious AppleWood Estate, exploring Horticulture as a potential career. Two years later she was hired by Foodcorps, a National Americorps program serving the city of Flint, providing nutrition and garden education to children during the water crisis. LaBria is consistently growing in her career and is now working as a Urban Ag Conservation Coordinator at local government agency Genesee Conservation District.
In October of 2017 LaBria was met with hard times when one of her father figures suffered a stroke disabling him. She has since dedicated many hours to his care. In the winter of 2017, LaBria decided to pursue her Bachelors in Food Ag and Natural Resource Education. Not long after, she opened MarySam’s Gardens. The business is dedicated to her deceased Great Grandfather Samuel Lee and Great Grandmother Mary Lee, who is still living.
She simply has not given up at any point in her young adult life. LaBria believes that we are strongest when we are connected to the earth. Being connected to the earth means being connected to your ancestors who empower us to do greater things. MarySam’s is the representation of a strong woman and her connection to the most influential beings.
Photo credit to Jeff Martin owner of “
The Martin Spectrum”
|
|
Alliance for African Partnership
|
|
MIFFS was happy to be a part of a couple of farm tours this past month and look forward to future collaborations. Thank you to Katie Deska and MSU International Studies and Programs for the wonderful picture. More information about the Alliance for African Partnership can be found
here.
|
|
2018 is a Farm Bill year that has many potential changes. The National Farmers Union site,
2018farmbill.org/ has good information about the farm bill in general along with updates on a regular basis. The NSAC site
sustainableagriculture.net/ has a blog that updates frequently on changes as well as a weekly roundup each Friday.
|
|
Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment (MIWVE)
|
|
MIWVE is launching their new program Dirt Therapy: Veterans Agriculture Bootcamp Series starting November 2018 until September 2019.
They are seeking experienced agricultural professionals to present on various topics in the field of agriculture to the SE Michigan/Downriver Area Veteran Community.
Interested in empowering those that have served?
If so, contact Sgt. Shannon MIWVEC@yahoo.com (810) 373-5744
“What empowers you, lets pass it on.”
|
|
Community Resources/Announcements
|
|
In partnership with the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), NCAT is bringing the week-long Armed to Farm (ATF) training to Washington, D.C., for a special event focused on urban farming. Armed to Urban Farm will give veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a viable career. Veterans can visit
https://www.ncat.org/atf_DC to complete an application by July 13, 2018.
|
|
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk
Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award up to $4.16 million to fund the Risk Management Education Partnership Program. The purpose of this competitive program is to deliver crop insurance education and risk
management training to U.S. agricultural producers to assist them in identifying and managing production, marketing, legal, financial, and human risk. More info
here.
|
|
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 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.
|
|
Looking for free resources on important legal issues? You can find information on workers, business structures, land matters, food safety, sales & contracts, value-added tourism, and insurance.
|
|
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
|
|
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.709.8271
Email: info@miffs.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|