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. 
2018 Michigan Family Farms Conference
Registration Now Open

Registration is open for the 15th Annual Michigan Family Farms Conference!

This year's conference,  Cultivating a Thriving Food Community... From the Soil on Up   will be held Saturday, February 3 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Thanks to this great new partnership, we're offering an optional lunchtime tour of the Food Innovation Center/Food Hub - so make sure to sign up for that when you register.

MFFC 2018 will have more sessions then ever and we’re proud to have Dr. Monica White deliver the keynote address.

Registration and sponsorship opportunities:


Farm Development Centers and Networks
Women in Ag Network
The Women in Ag Network recently hosted a workshop on improving farm records. Workshop presenters Joannée DeBruhl and Christina Yancho introduced participants to tools for tracking plantings and profits in order to help minimize the effort needed for success.
 
To stay up to date on events like this as well as everything else the Women in Ag Network is doing, visit our Facebook Page.
Tilian FDC

Tilian Farm Development Center Open House
Sunday, October 29
Ann Arbor, MI
 
Join us at the Tilian Farm Development Center for an open house. Come meet the farmers and learn about the work we’re doing to help beginning farmers. Follow along for more details on the Tilian Open House Facebook event page here. 
Vets in Ag Network
Veteran Product Guide
Are you a veteran?  Register your farm now to be listed in the first edition Veteran Product Guide for consumers interested in supporting veteran-owned farms. 

MIFFS will be collecting farm profiles until September 2018, allowing for the guide to be printed in early 2019. 
Farm Development Centers and Networks are at the core of MIFFS’ work and depend in part on member support. If you like the work we’re doing and would like to make a donation, please visit the link below.
In the News!
Farm Bill Update
Activity in Washington D.C. is picking up around the Farm Bill and we encourage you to take action! The Farm Bill impacts everything we do, from food, farming, construction, water, and sewer infrastructure, to fiber for fabrics, forestry, public health and research.

The Local Food and Regional Market Supply Act (Local FARMS Act) was introduced today. “Programs that support local and regional food systems are essential to the success of our emerging generation of farmers,” said Jennifer Silveri, Director of Field Operations at MIFFS. “They are also vital for the security and integrity of our food system, and for ensuring equitable access to fresh, nutrient dense foods. The farmers and organizations that rely on these programs to support farm and food systems across the country have spent a lot of their time, energy and resources on advocating for Congress’ support. We hope that Congress will take up the measures of the Local FARMS Act and that time and energy will have been well spent.”

Learn more about the Local FARMS Act on the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition blog .
Community Resources/Announcements

Help the National Center for Appropriate Technology make recommendations to the USDA on better crop insurance options for organic and specialty crop growers. Take this 20 minute confidential survey and earn $20!

For more information, contact: [email protected] .

MIFFS is conducting a survey to aide MSU Extension in collecting information about the impacts of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) on small fruit growers in southwest MI. Survey questions were provided by MSU Extension and information gathered will be used to tailor outreach and education for 2018.

Please take a minute to complete the survey and help us assist farmers.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

This free webinar will address your land access basics and land access goals, tenure options, lease basics, your search strategy, and how to build a team of resources and advisors. Registration is required to access the webinar.

Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

This free webinar will address farm succession basics, the planning process, documents, communications, finding and/or working with your successor and building your team of resources and advisors. Registration is required to access the webinar.
Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

This free webinar will address succession planning basics, roles when working with transitioning farm families and resources for service providers. This webinar is best suited for those working in land access and farmland preservation including extension agents, land conservancies, beginning farmer training programs. Registration is required to access the webinar.

FoodCorps is hiring a full-time Michigan Program Manager based out of Detroit. See the posting for more information.
MIFFS 2017-2018 Event Season Sponsorship is Open! 

Being a sponsor provides year long benefits, with the opportunity to join two state-wide events – Meet the Buyers and Michigan Family Farms Conference. As a sponsor or exhibitor you'll be exposed to over 1200 farmers and will be recognized by MIFFS throughout the year.

  • Meet the Buyers is held in conjunction with the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (GLEXPO), in Grand Rapids on December 5th. The event has two parts: a morning workshop with an interactive panel of buyers and producers, and an evening reception that provides a casual atmosphere for networking.
  • The Michigan Family Farms Conference is a forum for beginning, small-scale and culturally diverse farmers to network, learn, and build sustainable family farms.
Let's Farm Michigan is a collective calendar of farmer events held throughout the state. All events listed on this site must be organized for farmers and located in Michigan. 

Contact  [email protected]  for more information or to be added to the calendar.
MIFFS Land Chat is a Michigan-based online forum to connect those who have land to lease or sell with those who need land to farm. It's that simple.

Post what you have or what you need and be as descriptive as possible.  
Get Free Help with USDA Paperwork
MIFFS has field staff available to help navigate USDA programs and paperwork, a service that is provided free of charge through our farmer networks. All producers interested in applying for EQIP funding or High Tunnel initiatives should contact local USDA offices and Conservation Districts to request a Conservation Plan as soon as possible.

Contact Jen Silveri at [email protected] for more information.
Join us in supporting 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
  480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: 517.432.0712 | Fx: 517.353.7961 | [email protected]