Hello MIFFS Supporters,
Happy May everyone. April really went by quick filled with zoom, conference calls, rain, snow, hail, and a few really nice warm days to round out the month of showers. We are ready for those flowers!
We have been continuing to work on resources for the crisis and add them on a regular basis to our website
here
. One of the new additions to the newsletter a section dedicated to grants and funding opportunities. This is a rough time for many so we want to share what we can as widely as possible. Check out the new section below and if you know of a resource that is missing, let us know and we will be sure to include it in our next monthly newsletter or add it to our resource page.
This week is Nurse's week! Take some time out to thank nurses you know for the dedication and service they (and all front line workers) provide not only today in this time of crisis but everyday!
Stay Safe,
The MIFFS Team
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As we navigate through this new world of social distancing and economic recovery, e-communications take on a whole new importance. To help in this effort, we have been working on a resource database that is housed on our website at
miffs.org/covid19resources
The database includes links to many different resources including finance, business health, food safety, social health, mini-grant opportunities and many others. We are continuing to build the database and if you would like to include your resource, please fill out the form
here
and we will update the database. Also, keep on the lookout for virtual listening sessions in your area. MIFFS will be posting on social media and on the website with updates and new sessions throughout the state; feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
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The Michigan Good Food Fund invites you to join our upcoming peer-to-peer sessions – a virtual learning and networking opportunity designed for food
and farm business owners.
In
this session, you’ll network with other farm businesses, get insights and best practices from the larger landscape, share challenges and crowd-source solutions with your peers, and be part of an ongoing dialogue with other food businesses in Michigan and beyond.
See event details and register here
.
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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
.
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The NRCS-Michigan bimonthly newsletter includes producer success stories, conservation updates, local events and other conservation news. Check them out
here
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The National Center for Appropriate Technology, home of the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program, is pleased to announce it is now providing all the technical resources on the ATTRA website at no cost. This means that you no longer need to pay an annual subscription fee or individual publication fee to access any of our digital publications, videos, podcasts, and other resources and materials at
https://attra.ncat.org/
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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 check for updates on 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).
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Grants & Funding Opportunities:
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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.
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National Farm to School Network
has launched a
COVID-19 Relief Fund
to financially support the ongoing efforts of programs that are helping kids continue to eat, grow and learn about just and sustainable food, and the farmers that continue to produce and supply it.
Any organization or producer working to support farm to school / farm to ECE efforts is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000.
National Farm to School Network is committed to ensuring these resources reach systematically underserved communities in need and will prioritize organizations that serve and are led by people of color. The first round of applications closes May 10. Learn more and apply at
www.farmtoschool.org/covid19#fund
.
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The
Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund
administered by CCOF provides direct financial assistance exclusively to organic producers who suffer financial losses due to extreme hardship. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500. Certified organic operations currently in good standing that experienced documented economic hardship in the 2020 calendar year are eligible to apply.
Applications are due May 25, 2020.
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The
Regional Conservation Partnership Program
(RCPP) has helped conserve thousands of acres of land across the United States. This program focuses on protecting watersheds by promoting soil health, well-managed working farmland, and general good conservation practices. In order to apply for RCPP’s Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFAs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, applications should be submitted by May 29, 2020. Up to $50 million will be awarded this year.
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The
Farmers Market Promotion Program
administered by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets. Projects help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales, or other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. A 25% match is required. The application deadline has been extended until May 26, 2020.
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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
.
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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
.
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The Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program provides funds for enhancing agricultural producers’ farm management knowledge and skills by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. For more information read the
FBMB funding opportunity
.
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The link below is a list of relief funding opportunities with an emphasis on the Greater Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania however it includes national, non-location specific opportunities. Included are funding and business services for small businesses and nonprofits in various industries, highlighting opportunities for women-owned, minority-owned, and community-based businesses/organizations. If interested (and please feel free to share with anyone who might find the information useful) the link is
here
(
SMALL BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT RELIEF FUNDING RESOURCES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
)
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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.
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IAC- INFAS Tribal Fellowship (ITFP) Fellows Application. For 2020-2021, the pilot program’s focus is “Tribal Food Systems and Equity”. We invite Native graduate student applicants who have completed at least one quarter or semester of a Master’s or Doctoral program, who currently attend a US Tribal College/University (TCU) or other accredited US institution.
Applications, available
here,
must be received by May 29, 2020 at 11:59 PM*
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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
.
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The Organic Production Systems Program in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at
North Carolina State University
is seeking to fill an Extension Assistant position. The incumbent will lead extension and research activities pertaining to large acreage organic commodity crops and general organic agriculture training for industry stakeholders, growers, and extension personnel. Development of educational materials including websites, social media, field demonstration plots, field days, fact sheets, and production guides will be required. To apply, please visit
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/131894
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The
application portal
for 2020-2021 FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Members is open for applicants.
The FoodCorps Michigan office is especially interested in candidates looking to serve in the Traverse City area
. The candidate must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours between August 3, 2020 and July 16, 2021.
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Physical Address: 2438 Woodlake Circle, Suite 136, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
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