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

Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) stands in solidarity with black communities who are fighting against systemic oppression and racism. We are heartbroken and we are angry at the loss of lives and the ongoing injustices people of color suffer every day.

For 20 years, MIFFS has supported the many faces of farming by connecting beginning and historically underserved farmers to resources and to each other, working towards social justice, environmental stewardship, and viability. As a farming organization, we acknowledge that the history of land and agriculture that shaped our current food system is steeped in racial injustice.  

We vow to continue listening and learning from the people and organizations of color who have led this work before us, and we commit to using our power and privilege to fight for a just and equitable future.  

We have been continuing our work on food and farming resources and add them on a regular basis to our website here. There are also many opportunities listed below in this newsletter. If there are any questions on any of them, give us a quick call or email. MIFFS is working remotely: connecting beginning and historically underserved farmers to each other and resource opportunities; ensuring social justice, environmental stewardship, and profitability.

In Solidarity,
The MIFFS Family
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP):
Producers can now apply for USDA’s  Coronavirus Food Assistance Program , which provides direct payments to farmers and ranchers to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020.
The application form and a payment calculator are available on  farmers.gov/cfap . and a call center (877-508-8364) is set up to help you with your questions from 7:30am – 8:00 pm ET to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance .
USDA knows producers are facing a tough time now, and they are making every effort to provide much needed support as quickly as possible. Producers of all eligible commodities can apply through their local FSA office. FSA is available over the phone and virtually to walk you through the application process, whether it’s the first time you’ve worked with us, or if you know us quite well.

Webinars for producers, farmers and ranchers will begin on June 9. View dates below and visit  FSA Outreach for more information .  Ag producers can learn more about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and how to submit additional commodities for USDA consideration through the NOFA process. 
Webinar Dates & Topics:
  • June 9 at 3:00 p.m. EDT - Outreach CFAP Webinar for Specialty Crops Producers
  • June 11 at 3:00 p.m. EDT- Outreach CFAP Webinar for Dairy & Non-Specialty Crops Producers
  • June 16 at 3:00 p.m. EDT  - Outreach CFAP Webinar for Non-Specialty Crops & Livestock Producers
  • June 18 at 3:00 p.m. EDT- Outreach CFAP Webinar on FSA Programs in the Time of Coronavirus
Visit the  FSA webinar page   for pre-registration links.

Other CFAP resources available :
Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program
Urban farmers and gardeners work among diverse populations to expand access to nutritious foods, foster community engagement, provide jobs, educate communities about farming, and expand green spaces. The new USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production recently announced the availability of $3 million in competitive grant funding.  Urban agriculture generally refers to the cultivation, processing and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban settings, including things like vertical production, warehouse farms, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations. These funds will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories: Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. More info on the grant is available here ; the d eadline to apply is July 6, 2020 

Michigan Food & Farming Systems feels strongly that USDA Urban Ag and Innovation funding should be allocated to BIPOC led organizations or individuals in recognition of their historical leadership in this space and acknowledgement of institutional racism in the US. We would like to offer our support to BIPOC urban farming communities for proposal submissions and to offer our services for the grant.

Here are some ways MIFFS can support proposal development & submission:   
  • Making connections! We can help connect you with additional grant team members including nonprofits, community organizations, technical assistance providers, university and government agency staff, national partners, evaluators, and other awesome farms you may want to collaborate with  
  • Proposal review and submission- Our team has a lot of experience developing, writing, and submitting USDA grants and navigating grants.gov so we are happy to help your efforts.  

Here are some ways MIFFS can be a partner to offer our services for the grant:   
  • Facilitation services and network development 
  • Project results dissemination and outreach 
  • USDA program navigation and farm number registration technical assistance 
  • Food safety training & connection to Michigan GroupGAP  
  • Working lands natural resource management and environmental stewardship technical assistance, water quality management 
  • Interpretation of USDA technical language 
  • Record keeping technical assistance to improve eligibility for USDA programs including crop insurance and federal disaster assistance 
  • Translation services  
  • Assistance with reporting 
Resources & Workshops:
American Public Health Association (APHA) is hosting a webinar series to give an in-depth look at racism as a driving force of the social determinants of health and equity. The series will explore efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. Our presenters will highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice. More info and register here
The MSU  Farm Business Plan Accelerator  is a 100% online opportunity to meet twice weekly with other beginning and aspiring farmers to write a farm business plan that fits YOUR farmsite, markets, skills and goals.  Sign up now  to join the learning community each Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30pm from June 16 to October 15. The  MSU Organic Farmer Training Program  is a 50/50 mix of field and classroom activities over the full 2021 farm season at the 15-acre MSU Student Organic Farm in East Lansing.  Apply now ! Email  msufarm@msu.edu  for more information about either program.
We are all stronger when we work together. When farmers and attorneys share knowledge, the entire local food system moves forward. Farm Commons fosters the discussions and connections that build a strong legal backbone for our community. Sign up for the farm commons  newsletter at this link
The NRCS-Michigan bimonthly newsletter includes producer success stories, conservation updates, local events and other conservation news. Check them out here Be sure to check out the current Conservation Notes Newsletter that highlights Oakland Avenue Urban Farm!
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. For more information about participation in the program click here
Michigan farmers can now mediate a wide range of disputes at no cost through the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) . The 2018 Farm Bill enables the MAMP to mediate agricultural issues involving leases, farm transitions, organic certification, next-door neighbors and more. To request free mediation or for more information, call (800) 616-7863 or go online at www.agmediation.org. All calls are confidential.
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute F armers or rural entrepreneur in the Midwest are invited to use a free Grants Advising service of the Institute.  Grants Advisers help you decide whether a grant would be the best way to achieve your goals. For more info click here
Grants & Funding Opportunities:
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating extreme challenges and uncertainty for all of us, and Farm Aid is looking to support farmers as much as they can during these trying times. Farm Aid will be disbursing the funds raised as one-time $500 emergency relief payments to farmers. MIFFS has partnered with other Great Lakes area organizations to distribute the $500 grants to farmers impacted by COVID-19. We’re encouraging farmers to apply online TODAY! The application opens on June 6th.; you can find more information on the application process and guidelines here . Link to the application here
With the generous support of MEDC, Michigan-based foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and in collaboration with the SBA, the  Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund  has secured funds to provide recovery grants and loans to diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses from underrepresented groups in Michigan. This fund is intended to assist geographically and demographically disadvantaged individuals. More info here
USD NRCS : $3 million in competitive grant funding under the 2018 Farm Bill’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The newly established Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program supports the development of urban agriculture and innovative production activities by funding Planning Projects and Implementation Projects led by nonprofit organizations, local or Tribal governments, and schools that serve any of the grades K-12 in areas of the United States.The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is posted on  Grants.gov . Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 06, 2020.
Artist Emergency Fund The Crosshatch Artist Emergency Fund has raised and distributed $25,000 to northern Michigan artists since March 13. Thanks to the Urgent Needs funds at the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, this relief fund is expanding to include assistance for artists in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Apply or donate here:  www.crosshatch.org/emergency .
The Equipment Grant Program (EGP) serves to increase access to shared-use food and agricultural sciences’ special purpose equipment/instruments for applied research at institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Systems. EGP strengthens the quality and expands the scope of fundamental and applied research at eligible institutions, by providing opportunities to acquire one major piece of equipment/instruments that supports their research, training, and extension goals and may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. EGP does not support the acquisition of suites of equipment to outfit research laboratories /facilities or to conduct independent experiments simultaneously. Rather, it is intended to help fund items of equipment that will upgrade infrastructure. For more information read the  EGP funding opportunity . Application closing date: June 23.
EIDL Loan Application Portal Opened to Agricultural Enterprises Only The Small Business Administration opened its  Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) portal  on May 4, 2020, to agricultural enterprises only. The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. An Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000 is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
Jobs & Opportunities:
CNG is looking for a few experienced farmers to be featured in some short instructional videos we are developing this season. This is a paid position. No travel is required - only the farmer's experience, time, and farm location (within the United States). Find the  Job Announcement with details on How to Apply here
OEFFA posted two job openings: Certification Specialist and Operations Coordinator. More information on both positions, along with instructions on how to apply, can be found here:  https://www.oeffa.org/employment.php Deadlines for sending in applications are June 15 and June 22, respectively.
Genesee County Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking applicants for a Temporary Program Technician. This position will work out of the Genesee County Office. Applications and resumes must be received by the Genesee County Office no later than close of business on June 8, 2020. For more information, contact County Executive Director Mitch Towne at 810-230-8766, Ext 2, 989-723-8263. Ext 2, or  mitch.towne@usda.gov . Applications (FSA-675) can be obtained online at  www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/fsa0675.pdf . Please also include your resume. The Genesee County FSA Office is located at: 1525 N. Elms Rd. Flint, MI 48532-2034.
FoodCorps seeks a motivated and passionate individual to lead, coach, and support a cohort of 15+ FoodCorps service members and FoodCorps programming in Michigan under the direction of the Michigan Program Director. The Program Coordinator will play a critical role in the delivery of high quality, high fidelity programming statewide by assisting with the training and ongoing coaching to service members, the selection and management of service sites, and the day-to-day program administration tasks. More info here
NSAC Grassroots Director: This role represents a unique opportunity to work with hundreds of sustainable food and agriculture community leaders nationwide on shared campaigns that build grassroots power, achieve NSAC’s federal policy goals, and advance racial equity in agriculture and food systems. Learn more about the position and apply  here
Support:
Physical Address: 2438 Woodlake Circle, Suite 136, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: info@miffs.org