Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) is a statewide, non-profit organization connecting beginning and historically underserved farmers to each other and resource opportunities; ensuring social justice, environmental stewardship, and profitability. 

Happy New Year!
14th Annual Michigan Family Farms Conference
Farmers Leading the Future: Blending Established Wisdom and New Ideas
MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL, MARSHALL MI

Join us on  February 4, 2017 for this annual forum created for beginning, small-scale and culturally diverse farmers to network, learn, and build sustainable family farms. It is an energizing, hands-on event customized to this important audience.  

This year’s conference will offer 18 Unique Workshops, A Story Slam, Youth Track, and A Keynote Address by Erin Caudell & Franklin Pleasant, The Voyage to the Vision: Freshening Up The Food System! Early bird tickets sale ends on January 6th.  
14th Annual Michigan Family Farms Conference, February 4, 2017
Thank you to all Sponsors, Exhibitors at MTB 2016.
We look forward to seeing you next year. 
Farm Development Centers' (FDC) & Networks
Women in Ag FDC and Network

FDC
Check out this great video by The Good Food Summit Movement- Flint, MI. It features the Women's Farm Development Center.

FDC & Network

Tilian FDC
We are looking forward to the 2017 growing season and supporting Tilian Farmers.    
Tilian Farm Development Cener
Veterans in Ag Network
Vets to Ag announced  Michigan's first ever guide to veteran produced agricultural products. Are you a veteran? Do you know a veteran? Help MI complete the guide by filling out the our form. Farmer Veterans Product Resource Guide Registration
In the News/Community  Events/ Opportunities
The NORTHFARM, The Novice Farm Program- Are you interested in learning how to farm in the Upper Peninsula? The Novice Farmer Program might be what you are looking for. The Novice Farmer Program is a pilot program combining nine on-line courses (18 credits) and a four-month (6 credits) on-farm experience to train participants in year-round organic farming. For more information visit www.msunorthfarm.org or contact Abbey Palmer at  palmerab@anr.msu.edu.

Lansing Roots, a program of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, is looking for farmers to participate in our incubator farm program. Join the next Farmer Recruitment Session for more information on Saturday, January 7, 1:00 – 2:30 pm at 919 Filley St. Lansing, 48906. For more information contact Program Manager Ben Sommers. ben@glfoodbank.org or 517.853.7813.

MSU Student Organic Farm
Applications are open for the Organic Farmer Training Program 2017 Cohort. Click  here  for the application. Please email msufarm@msu.edu for details or to arrange a site visit. Also on the farm is the Farmer Field School,   comprised of intensive one and two day hands-on workshops. Check out the website for more information. 

Have you seen the collective calendar for organizations and farmers?  Let's Farm Michigan Calendar is a collaborative online calendar promoting educational and networking opportunities for farmers. It was created to foster a cooperative atmosphere for organizations planning events and to allow farmers greater access to the wide variety of events available to them across the state. All events listed on this site must be organized for farmers and located in Michigan. Contact Lacey@miffs.org for more information.

2017 Southwest Michigan Food Safety Summit and Grower Produce Safety CourseThe Second Annual Southwest Michigan Food Safety Summit will be held February 15th and 16th at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Groves Campus at 7107 Elm Valley Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Registration deadline:  Feb. 10, 2017, or until full. The summit is free to attend but pre-registration is required.
Granting Resources  (in order of deadline date)


local and regional food systems through the USDA. Check out their Urban Farmer Toolkit.  


NRCS, Conservation Stewardship ProgramThe newly renovated Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) rewards farmers for their working-lands conservation efforts. To have your CSP application considered in 2017, contact your local NRCS office and complete the form before Feb. 3, 2017

Join our Joint Membership- MIFFS and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC), have a great opportunity for you. We are excited about this p artnership and we hope you will take advantage of the savings. Want to learn more or see the benefits of this joint membership? Check out our  information page  
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 | info@miffs.org