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. 
Hello MIFFS supporters,
Spring has arrived! With starts in the greenhouse, planting is just around the corner... anyone looking forward to Michigan fresh tomatoes? We have a full newsletter this month with many opportunities and information, starting with the MFFC.
Each year, MIFFS hosts the Michigan Family Farms Conference (MFFC), a forum for beginning, small-scale, and culturally diverse farmers to network, learn, and build sustainable family farms. However, we absolutely don’t pull this off alone! The conference planning team is a group of fun, dedicated folks who support the conference in so many ways, including recruiting presenters and developing workshops, sourcing local food, brainstorming the theme and keynote presenters, coordinating the youth track, and more. We’re seeking to add members to our planning team as we kick things off for the 2020 Michigan Family Farms Conference. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in being part of this amazing group!
Thank you for all your support! If there are any questions about the items here or any MIFFS programs, please contact us via email or phone listed below. When we are not out in the field, we are in the office 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.

Sincerely,
The MIFFS Team
Resources & Opportunities:
Are you a farmer who needs seasonal or temporary workers for planting, cultivating, or harvesting crops? The H-2A temporary agricultural workers program–often called the H-2A Visa Program–helps American farmers who anticipate a lack of available domestic workers fill employment gaps by hiring workers from other countries. With the new Checklist Tool, participating in the Program is now easier than ever. Discover the checklist tool at farmers.gov or click here
Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) is looking to recruit new farmers to the Capital Market, particularly those with diverse backgrounds that may be underrepresented in the farmers market sector. A few highlights about the Capital Markets:
  • More than 7,200 shoppers per market day
  • For the July 2018 market, our 74 vendors reported a total of over $96,000 in sales for the day
  • $1.5 million in estimated vendor sales since 2010
Vendors can find our application here! For more information click here
Since 1988, SARE has awarded numerous grants in every state and Island Protectorate. Aimed at advancing sustainable innovations, these grants add up to an impressive portfolio of sustainable agriculture efforts across the nation. Click here to link to the SARE page listing grant portfolio summary and detailed grants list for Michigan.
Farmer Field School Workshop: Forcing Bulbs, Flowers & Branches for Early Spring Sales. Thursday, May 16, 2019, 9am - 4pm Learn to extend the season for flower sales to capture market opportunities like Mothers' Day and Memorial Day. More info here
Be Well Fabulous Black Woman Tour, a three city conference intended create a sacred space of business + wellness support for black female leaders and entrepreneurs .  Apply for a $50 scholarship  toward attending a one-day stop on the Be Well Fabulous Black Woman Michigan Tour. Tap into this amazing network of women to take your business to the next level! Learn more about the conference and how to apply.   
MSUCRFS is doing a survey and interviews that focus specifically on the portion of the Michigan food system where  good food  is grown, processed, distributed, sold, and consumed in Michigan markets, as well as the organizations that support this system. Please  take the survey  and share it with others! Se ofrece   la encuesta  en Español.
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute If you are a farmer or rural entrepreneur in the Midwest, you are invited to use a free Grants Advising service of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.  Our Grants Advisers help you decide whether a grant would be the best way to achieve your goals. For more info click here
Do you know students who are interested in pursuing a career in organic agriculture? Encourage them to apply for a Future Organic Farmer Grant from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation. The Grant Fund offers $2,500 grants to students pursuing a career in organic agriculture (or livestock management) at a junior college, undergraduate, or a vocational training program. Applications are available on the CCOF Foundation website. The deadline for applications is May 6, 2019. 
Jobs:
The Eastern Market The Food & Health Fellow opportunity is a seasonal (June - October) part-time position requiring a 20-25 hours per week commitment as well as a week long training in May. EMC expects to build a 25-person team who will learn from and engage with a variety of experts and organizations working to build a more inclusive, resilient, and robust regional food system. More info here
Greater Lansing Food Bank Garden Project is currently seeking a Temporary Garden Project Assistant. This part-time position will work 15 hrs/week, 3 days/week from approximately April 24 to July 24. As a member of the Garden Project team, the assistant will provide administrative and customer support to Garden Project staff members and guests of the organization. For a full position description and application instructions, follow this link!
Fair Food Network has four positions open across Michigan:
NSAC is seeking a Coalition Director . Are you deeply committed to public service and are experienced in administration in the field of sustainable agriculture? Would you enjoy leading a passionate, high-performing, member-engaged, and collaborative organization that is dedicated to working for racial equity? NSAC is looking for a new Coalition Director. NSAC offers competitive non-profit salary and benefits and is an equal opportunity employer. More info here
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is seeking a Horticulturist! The Horticulturist will provide horticultural leadership and vision and oversee the growing spaces of the Market, including greenhouses, live walls, green roofs, rain garden, planter beds, and all other interior and exterior landscaped areas. For more information and to apply, follow the link below: http://downtownmarketgr.com/careers/horticulturist
Support:
Physical Address: 2438 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: [email protected]