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. 
MIFFS is excited to host a new event this year! Please join us for a Farm to Table dinner on October 18 at The Standard Bistro and Larder in Ann Arbor! We’re looking forward to gathering with old and new friends to celebrate the many faces of farming while enjoying delicious and local food and drink. This is a certified local food event. Follow along on Facebook here , or purchase your ticket directly here . Tickets are going fast so be sure to purchase by October 12 to reserve your space (or donate a dinner space)!!

Event sponsorship is now open for Meet the Buyers and the Michigan Family Farms Conference! Whether you want to be a part of both events or just one, we have great opportunities for networking and promoting your resources. Why wait? Register as a sponsor/exhibitor here today!

Do you have an innovative solution to a farm food safety concern? MIFFS is creating a database of low cost, on farm food safety practices that are compatible with USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). This database will be a companion tool for the Michigan Produce Safety Risk Assessment. To find out more about the project and see how to receive a $100 stipend, contact john@miffs.org
Community Resources & Events
Every year Action of Greater Lansing holds a Nehemiah Assembly that brings together the public and our officials to commit to achievable actions. Our Civil Rights for Immigrants, Access, Children's Health Equity, and Integrated Voter Engagement task forces make demands of our politicians and the people. This year at Nehemiah we will be demanding support of Michigan legislative bills HB 4794 & HB 4795 (2017), which would grant undocumented Michiganders the ability to receive drivers' licenses. 68th House Representative candidate, Ms. Sarah Anthony, will be in attendance to commit to pushing for this legislation. Click here for more info about the event to be held on October 7 at 3pm.

 Está claro, los inmigrantes de Michigan necesitan licencias de conducir para vivir sin miedo. Estamos haciendo que nuestras voces y nuestras historias sean escuchadas. Estamos luchando por licencias para todos.
Durante 5 días, del 5 al 9 de octubre, los inmigrantes de todo el estado se unen para caminar 60 millas en todo el estado hasta el Capitolio. Únase a nosotros en frente del Edificio mientras saludamos a los caminantes que se han sacrificado tanto para compartir sus historias.
Los caminantes llegarán a Lansing el 9 de octubre, caminemos con ellos mientras se acercan al Capitolio y únanse a nosotros ya que tenemos un gran festival de licencias.
The 2018 MGFS creates a space for all people interested in advancing a thriving economy, equity and sustainability through Michigan food systems to connect, learn and collaborate across sectors. The theme "Amplifying Voices for Equality" reflects a focus on programming that addresses equity issues throughout the food system, and especially equity issues affecting under-represented groups and communities. The day-long event will celebrate state and local successes, share tools and resources to catalyze progress towards a good food system in Michigan, and provide an opportunity to network with others from around the state and across the food system. Register here for the fifth biennial Michigan Good Food Summit to be held on Monday, October 22, 2018 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at MSU.
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. If so, he or she will help you identify a grant program that best fits your goals and help you outline a plan of work for you to follow to meet the application deadline and all application requirements. If not, the Adviser will suggest other resources you may choose to approach. Examples might be federal, state or local loan programs, loan guarantees, as well as resource information and resource persons. For more information and to be on the e-list for program announcements, please feel free to contact one of our Grants Advisers: Martin Bailkey, at (608) 698-9478, martinbailkey@gmail.com or Kitt Healy, at (630) 346-4749, gracekhealy@gmail.com http://www.michaelfields.org/grant-advising-resources/
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.
Jobs!
King's Hill Farm in Mineral Point, Wisconsin is seeking new tenants to farm its 40 acres of highly productive vegetable and fruit land beginning in the 2019 growing season. Farming acreage is served fully by irrigation, water well and pumps. Contiguous to the farm are several hundred acres that consist of woodlands, ponds, conservation reserve land and separately leased farmland for organic crops (corn, soybeans, hay, cover crops, etc.) The farm, located in southwest Wisconsin, currently serves 225 CSA customers in the Madison and Chicago areas. For more information, visit  kingshillfarm.com   
Research Associate-Fixed Term This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated, resourceful, experienced and committed candidate to bring creative vision to an existing foundation of relationships and learnings in the areas of food sovereignty and racial equity. The ideal candidate exhibits openness to engaging in a range of interdisciplinary team-oriented applied research approaches and has lived experience with equity issues, cultural competency and community engagement. This position is an initial one-year appointment with the potential for a one-year reappointment contingent upon funding and performance. This position will be housed at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. For more info click here
Support the many faces of farming:
Become a member of MIFFS and help us 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
Physical Address: 2465 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: info@miffs.org