Hello MIFFS Supporters,

Wow! What a month! First, Thank you to everyone that helped put together our 17th Michigan Family Farms Conference! It takes so many people to organize the day and we are grateful to everyone that was a part in such a successful day. Resiliency in farming is at a critical point and we need to work together and support each other to continue.

Part of resiliency is looking at the environment and how we can preserve and correct the current situation. Please join MIFFS and a diverse coalition of farm organizations and their allies around the country that are circulating a farmer statement on the climate crisis and agriculture. See the section below for more information

Be counted! To continue funding and so many other things, the census is important. To learn more about the census, there are Census Townhalls. The townhalls will be hosted in March and April to inform and answer any questions that the public has about the census. For dates for the townhalls and other events please look on the Michigan Be Counted website or social media platforms. 

MIFFS is excited to be teaming up with Nature and Nurture Seeds to offer special seed collections with 30% of the proceeds donated right back to MIFFS! You can choose from so many great options - hot peppers seed collection, container garden collection, herbs collection, salsa garden collection, leafy greens collection, and more! Nature and Nurture Seeds is a certified organic farm-based seed company offering heirloom vegetable, flower, and herb seeds located near Ann Arbor. They are community-focused educators who believe in preserving seed heritage, cultivating biodiversity, and celebrating America’s diverse food traditions.  This opportunity is only available for a limited time until March 27, so be sure to check out the fundraising seed collections here  

With Energy & Gratitude,

The MIFFS Team

Agriculture is on the front lines of a changing climate. Compared to a generation ago, we are experiencing greater weather extremes, from recurrent 100-year floods to severe and prolonged droughts to greater heat waves that threaten workers, crops and livestock. As temperatures continue to rise, new pest and disease pressures are impacting crop yields and quality. As farmers and ranchers, we are accustomed to adapting to change, but the greater extremes we are experiencing today are unprecedented. Our rural communities lack the resources and infrastructure, making them especially vulnerable to climate change impacts. We recognize that these challenges are not experienced equally—disproportionately affecting socially disadvantaged communities, especially farmers and ranchers of color.

What is the Farmer Letter on Climate Change Solutions in Agriculture? Who is behind the Farmer Letter? The Farmer Letter on Climate Change Solutions in Agriculture   came out of concerns of farmers and advocates active with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of the climate crisis, and they have real solutions to offer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve carbon sinks and adapt to greater weather extremes – but resources are needed. The letter will be sent to Congressional members and leaders with USDA on April 22, 2020 to lift up farmer voices in the national conversations about the climate crisis and what is needed to address these issues.

bit.ly/englishccl   (English version) 

bit.ly/espanolccl  (Spanish version)

Farming is tough. From weather to equipment breakdowns, there are a lot of things that can cause stress. Researchers at Michigan State University Extension are conducting a research study to learn more about struggles Michigan farmers experience and what types of information may help. This study will take place online and via text message. Study participants may earn up to $60 in Amazon e-gift cards! To sign up, click on the link to complete a survey to determine if you are eligible to participate:  Farm Stress Eligibility Survey . 

The NRCS-Michigan bimonthly newsletter includes producer success stories, conservation updates, local events and other conservation news. Check them out here

The Greater Lansing CSA & Local Food Fair gives you the opportunity to talk directly with 13 farmers in Mid Michigan and learn about their growing practices, philosophies, and how to purchase directly from them. Buying local is super important because it makes sure area farmers can make a decent living and keep our local food economy thriving. It means food isn’t traveling long distances and you can have a direct impact on local environment by choosing farmers that use sustainable practices in their growing. There are so many awesome farmers in the Lansing area, consider supporting them by coming to the Greater Lansing CSA & Local Food Fair on March 22! 12:00 - 3:00 People' s Church Downtown East Lansing

Food sovereignty intersects with almost every issue of community organizing: whether it’s civil rights organizers in Detroit expanding healthy food options, the water rights activists in the Upper Peninsula fighting for autonomy over their land, students fighting for education on organic or heritage farming, or Palestinian, women’s, and indigenous rights advocates globally. As activists, students, community members you know the importance of building solidarity, particularly in tackling local problems. March 21st from 12-7 PM, more information here:  bit.ly/msufoodjustice

The State of Michigan is preparing for the 2020 Census. The census happens once every decade and is a critical tool for counting the U.S. population. The first census happened in 1790, shortly after George Washington was elected president. Today, the census remains a critically important civic duty that determines funding for local communities and essential services, shapes congressional representation, determines legislative districts and much more. Click here for current events across the state. We are still scheduling more census town halls all across Michigan and will update this page as we finalize any new dates, times, and locations. For questions or concerns about any events, please email  [email protected]  or call toll-free at 833-8CENSUS (or 833-823-6787).

The  MSU Organic Farmer Training Program  is a 50/50 mix of field and classroom activities on Mondays from March 16 to November 9 at the MSU Student Organic Farm. Participants visit 20+ farms, hear from 15+ guest speakers, gain hands-on farming experience and write a Farm Business Plan. Apply now  to join this mix of aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers, farmworkers, homesteaders and educational gardeners. 2019 OFTP graduate Cindy Kern says, “Without the 2019 cohort, Rich and I would definitely not be starting production on our farm in 2020. I needed the foundation in so many essentials of small-scale market farming and I received those through OFTP."

The 2020 NCR-SARE's  Professional Development Program (PDP) call for proposals is now available online here . PDP provides funds for professional development projects that provide sustainable ag training to ag professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system. More info here

Food Literacy for All features different guest speakers each week to address challenges and opportunities of diverse food systems. The course is designed to prioritize engaged scholarship that connects theory and practice. By bringing national and global leaders, we aim to ignite new conversations and deepen existing commitments to building more equitable, health-promoting, and ecologically sustainable food systems. More info here

MSU Extension is partnering with local FSA to provide Farm Bill educational sessions across MI. There is no cost to attend the meeting; participants are encouraged to pre-register at events.anr.msu.edu/farmbill

NRCS is accepting public comments on the EQIP Interim Final Rule through February 18.   Speak up for EQIP: NRCS needs to hear from farmers and people who are passionate about our natural resources and working lands! NRCS is accepting public comments on the EQIP Interim Final Rule through February 18  https://sustainableagriculture.net/take-action/  

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

Save Time: Call ahead and make an Appointment with FSA! Producers are encouraged to call their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to ensure maximum use of their time and to make sure FSA staff is available to tend to their important business needs. To find your local FSA office, visit: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app . En espagnol aquí

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.

A new online tool can help farmers and ranchers find information on USDA farm loans that best fit the needs of their operation. The tool is especially helpful to farmers who are new to farm loans and need help finding the right type of loan for their business needs . Answer a few simple questions  about what you’re looking to fund and how much money you need to borrow and you will receive information within minutes on which types of loans may best fit your needs.

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

NRCS-MI is hiring! Let's work to fill the 21 NRCS-MI vacancies with folks from Michigan, working in underserved communities. Michigan's Natural Resources are vital for a resilient future and so are you! Let us know if you have questions. Positions available are: Soil Conservation Technician (4)  click here to apply and Soil Conservationist (17 locations)  click here to apply. The applications for these positions will close on April 6.

Eastern Market is hiring around 30 individuals for our Food & Health Fellowship. These fellows will be running our Farm Stands around Metro-Detroit along with the operations of nutrition assistance programs at the Eastern Market. The application closes April 3, 2020. More info here

Greetings! We're seeking a full-time Food Systems Specialist to join our team at the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems. The full position description is below and available on the  MSU Careers website  by searching for posting #636431. Applications will be accepted until March 10, 2020

Keep Growing Detroit is seeking a Garden Development Coordinator to provide technical assistance and support for families, community groups, and organizations that are interested in growing vegetable gardens in the city, including gardens working with youth. The Coordinator is responsible for the logistics and distribution of garden resources, including soil tests, site visits and technical assistance for participants in the Garden Resource Program. The Coordinator will also support engagement of youth ages 14-19 in various KGD programs, including our summer youth Apprenticeship. More info here

FoodCorps Service Opportunity at Groundwork Aug 3, 2020 through July 16, 2021 Application is now open through March 13th! https://foodcorps.org/apply Serve your community, get kids excited about healthy food, learn new skills, and join a network of changemakers. Contact [email protected] for more info

The Food Systems Project , a program of Lansing-based non-profit NorthWest Initiative is seeking interns to work in nutrition education and urban agriculture for the Summer 2020 semester.  Interns will support our programming in four elementary schools around Lansing, as we coordinate and maintain gardens and provide monthly hands-on cooking lessons and weekly after-school programs to the 1000+ students who attend the schools. The following internships are available: Youth Nutrition Education Intern and Edible School-Yard Summer Garden Intern. For more information and to apply click here

Growing Hope is hiring for Farmers Market Food Navigator and Power of Produce Intern Positions descriptions and how to apply can be found at growinghope.net/get-involved/jobs-internships   Growing Hope is offering a number of unpaid internships in our Youth, Farmers Markets, and Farm & Garden programs for the 2020 season. Internships and how to apply can be found at growinghope.net/get-involved/jobs-internships

Henry’s Market on Main is looking for a Market Coordinator for the 2020 season. The position is a great fit for those looking to work with hospital and institutional food systems in their career.  You will get experience with hands on management of a produce market, using SNAP and other payment methods, volunteer management, and record keeping. Please submit your resume and cover letter to  [email protected]  by March 16.

FoodCorps Michigan The application portal for 2019-2020 FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Members is now open through March 15, 2020. In Michigan, we currently serve in the following communities: Boyne Falls, Detroit, Ferndale, Flint, Muskegon, Pellston, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City. For a description of these sites, visit: FoodCorps Michigan Website

Ingham County Health Department is now hiring for its summer corps! All positions involve facilitating nutrition, gardening or exercise workshops and youth. For more info click here

KBS is seeking a Science Coordinator for the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program (lter.kbs.msu.edu) at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), an off-campus academic unit of Michigan State University (MSU). The Science Coordinator will support the LTER efforts to promote transformational science at the LTER. This is an annual (12 month) Academic Specialist appointment with competitive salary and benefits. More info here