As we sense the changing season in the air, we also sense it on our calendars. What we’re feeling is the upcoming conference season that is sending our staff across the country to Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota! We are equally excited that in just five months we’ll be seeing you all at our 17
th
annual Michigan Family Farms Conference. MIFFS and the conference planning team have a lot of work to do over these next few months, and we could really use your support! We just opened up registration for sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities and we’d like you to check them out
here
. There’s no reason to hesitate – sign up and secure your participation today!
The growing season has been difficult this year and now is a good time to reflect back and also look forward to next year or even next month!
Please join us for an educational day for farmers at all levels of vegetable production to see how cover crop options grow as solo crops and with a combination of three. Also see how well the Sorghum Sudan cover crop is managing the thistle weed infestation. Soil Health through Smart Farm Management: Cover crops for vegetable production. Join us for a day of sharing, seeing, and learning at Tilian Farm Development Center 4400 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 on Thursday - Sept 19, 10 am-4 pm Lunch will be provided as well as educational materials so please do register.
The event is co-sponsored by: Michigan State University Extension and Soil Nexus. Contact Vicki Morrone at [email protected] or 517-282-3557 for registration and questions. Program is outside so dress for the weather!
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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. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
The MIFFS Team
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Resources, Workshops, & Opportunities:
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Mark your calendar for the
The Lansing Urban Farm Project
4th Annual Harvest Gala!
Saturday - September 21, 2019 6 - 8 pm
Urbandale Farm 701 S. Hayford Avenue, Lansing
Join the Lansing Urban Farm Project's Fourth Annual Harvest Gala and another beautiful evening of music, hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, and farm tours. This year's event features Lansing Grown products in a seasonal menu prepared by Chef James Sumpter of Vinology, and Mike Lynch on piano. More info and RSVP available
here
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CSA Labor Models & Specialty Crops On-Farm Field Day
October 14, 2019 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Birch Point Farm
7506 E. Birch Point Road, Traverse City, MI 49684
Michelle Ferrarese is the owner and operator of Birch Point Farm, which offers a successful CSA program every year. Join us at Birch Point Farm for a farm tour and discussion about CSA Labor Models and Specialty Crops!
Register Here!
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Michigan AgrAbility has partnered with Holland area farmer, Doug Ver Hoeven, in establishing a demonstration farm where farmers can see and try a variety of assistive technology tools and equipment before investing in aides that can sometimes carry a hefty price tag. Included in the demonstration items are lifts, ramps, outdoor mobility vehicles, hitch attachments and simple overhead door handling equipment. Smaller items such as pruners, antivibration gloves and easy attachments for hydraulic hoses are just a few of the items incorporated into the project. The farm is open for individuals or groups by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact Michigan AgrAbility at 800-956-4106. For additional information, contact Bev Berens, 616-886-1909 or [email protected]
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Michigan farmers can now mediate a wide range of disputes at no cost through the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. The 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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WE LOVE YOUR #2s! GET $ FOR YOUR #2s & SORT OUTS!
Did you know that the Food Bank Council of Michigan buys fresh, Michigan produce that might otherwise go to waste? Since 1990, the Council has partnered with Michigan farmers to help move their fresh produce, dairy and eggs in the secondary market. We love all produce, even if it’s not that pretty, from A (apples) through Z (zucchini)! Join the food bank network in helping Michigan families access Michigan’s amazing bounty. Contact Kath Clark at the Food Bank Council of Michigan [email protected] or 517-614-3290.
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Excessive moisture and flooding in 2019 have prevented or delayed planting on many farms across most of the country. Many producers are unable to plant crops by a final planting date or have experienced significant delays in planting. USDA knows producers are facing tough times and is working to assist produc
ers with making decisions. Click
here
for more info and available opportunities.
USDA reminds farmers that
cover crops can be planted
on fields where they were prevented from planting a cash crop.
Also see the FSA disaster assistance fact sheet
here
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As farmers and ranchers pick up the pieces and work to rebuild in the wake of natural disasters, the financial, physical and emotional weight of navigating recovery can be overwhelming. Click
here for resources available
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¡Produce Safety Alliance se complace en anunciar la disponibilidad de su sitio web y materiales asociados en español!
El nuevo sitio web en español
es un repositorio de materiales educativos, actualizaciones de la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, información sobre el instructor e instructor líder de la Alianza e datos de contacto del equipo de la Alianza y sus colaboradores. Con una creciente población doméstica de habla hispana de la fuerza laboral agrícola y un gran volumen de productos importados anualmente de países latinoamericanos sujetos a la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, este sitio web servirá como un recurso crítico para los productores, instructores, miembros de la industria y funcionarios reguladores de todo el mundo. Se desarrollarán y/o traducirán al español más materiales que serán agregados al sitio web en el futuro. Un agradecimiento especial para la Dra. Laura Acuña-Maldonado (Asociada de extensión en español) y a el Sr. Rob Way (Desarrollador de productos multimedia y administrador de base de datos) por su arduo trabajo para hacer que este sitio web sea una realidad.
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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
.
If you’re looking for financing options to operate a farm, buy land, or both, you can
answer a few simple questions
about what you’re looking to fund and how much money you need to borrow. You will receive information within minutes on which types of loans may best fit your needs. This new tool is especially helpful for beginning farmers and ranchers as well as those who are new to FSA farm loans.
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The Community of Food, Society & Justice Conference
will engage students, faculty, staff, farmers, and the community in rigorous dialogue around these challenges. The conference will be structured around a foundation of interdisciplinary scholarship that agrees that recognizing structural relations of power are necessary in order to confront race, class, and gender privileges on these issues and others. Please click
here
to access the conference schedule, registration, and the call for posters
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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
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KBS
is seeking a Science Coordinator for the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program (lter.kbs.msu.edu) at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), an off-campus academic unit of Michigan State University (MSU). The Science Coordinator will support the LTER efforts to promote transformational science at the LTER. This is an annual (12 month) Academic Specialist appointment with competitive salary and benefits. More info
here
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Americorps:
Join the Ingham County Health Department's award-winning AmeriCorps State Program this fall! If you're passionate about food access, nutrition, social justice, and civic engagement join the team. The ICHD AmeriCorps State Program places members at non-profit organizations, government agencies, and faith-based institutions to work directly with the community in areas of food access and healthy lifestyles programming. More info
here
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NSAC
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is seeking a passionate, experienced, strategic and collaborative policy leader who will build upon the Coalition’s accomplishments over the past 30 years and help lead the charge to even bigger victories in the future. The Policy Director must be deeply committed to serving the sustainable agriculture movement and its federal policy work and to becoming an integral part of our high-performing, passionate, and diverse team. The Policy Director is a full-time, salaried position and is based in Washington, DC. More info
here
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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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