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. Follow along on Facebook
here
, or purchase your ticket directly
here
.
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, click
here
Thanks for your support and enjoy this cool weather!
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This has been an especially hard year for farming. If you need assistance, please use the resources listed below. We understand the difficulties of farming and are here if you need help navigating services. We are available by phone 517.709.8271 or email [email protected]
The following list is a portion of what is available to farmers in need of help:
1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) M-F 9am-5pm
Farm Crisis Support Resource Guide ( Farm Aide)
Farm life isn't easy. This guide
here
will give you resources to help you during the toughest times of farming crisis.
If you are a family farmer who needs help, we are here to support you. Fill out
this form
to get in touch with a Farm Advocate who can will assist you.
The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund—named to honor founding CCOF member Barney Bricmont—is the only fund that provides direct financial assistance exclusively to organic producers who suffer losses due to extreme hardship. Applications must be received by the CCOF Foundation no later than December 3, 2018.
FLAG is a nonprofit law center dedicated to providing legal services and support to family farmers and their communities in order to help keep family farmers on the land.
Learn more about how FLAG can help
here
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Community Resources/Announcements/Events
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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, [email protected] or Kitt Healy, at (630) 346-4749, [email protected]
http://www.michaelfields.org/grant-advising-resources/
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Edible chestnut production is a growing. Chestnuts are cold-sensitive and susceptible to winter and spring injury. This cold-sensitivity has driven the bulk of acreage expansion into the relatively warmer growing sites located in western and southern Michigan.
Nick and Abby Johnson of Ox Heights Farm in Rogers City developed a SARE funded project in cooperation with MSU Extension to evaluate the viability of chestnut production in northeastern MI, specifically in the high ridge regions of Moltke Township. The Johnsons are opening their farm to the public on Sept. 15, 2018, from 1-4 p.m. for a Northeast Michigan Chestnut Field Day. More info
here
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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.
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A number food system organizations across the country have been supported with small grants, many over several years. Note that there are strict eligibility requirements (for example, individuals are not eligible) and non-fundable program activities. Applications are reviewed three times yearly. The next due date is Monday, October 1st, 11:59 PM EST. The website has an extensive list, by state, of previously funded organizations. Learn more
here
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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
.
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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.
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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.
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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. Co
ntact Jen Silveri at
[email protected]
for more information.
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MSU Fall Career Days:
Careers in Agriculture, Food, Health, Packaging and the Sciences. This event is a unique recruiting event – we encourage you to recruit for all functional areas in your organization. Students who attend are interested in logistics, marketing, operations, production, quality assurance, research and development, sales and technical roles within the agriculture, food, health, packaging and science industries. MSU two-year Agriculture Technology certificate students, bachelor’s degree students (BS, BA, BLA) and advanced degree students (MS and PhD) attend this fair. More info
here
NSAC
is hiring! Please click the links below to see the description for each position and instructions on how to apply:
FamilyFarmed
, a Chicago-based nonprofit, is requesting applications for the full-time position of Farmer Training Manager. This position is responsible for managing our Farmer Training Program and related initiatives with an emphasis on Wholesale Success, Direct Market Success and On Farm Food Safety. The Farmer Training Manager may supervise and manage staff, consultants and volunteers. Learn more
here
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
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Support the many faces of farming:
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Joint Membership
be
tween MIFFS and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is also available.
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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.
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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
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Physical Address: 2465 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
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