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. 
Greetings Supporters,
The entire MIFFS team wishes you a pleasant fall season. In this months newsletter you will find information about our 2 annual events, what our networks have going on, career and granting opportunities and more. We hope you enjoy. 
2 Annual Events
Save the Dates, Sponsorship and Registration
Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
Meet the Buyers, has two parts: a morning workshop for buyers and producers and an evening reception that provides a casual atmosphere for all to network.  This event is held in conjunction with the  Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (GLEXPO) , located in Grand Rapids, MI. 

Tickets on SALE October 15th!
Farm Development Centers' (FDC)
Tilian FDC
Tilian will be a featured incubator farm during the  5th Annual NIFTI National Field School on October 25-27, 2016 in Ann Arbor, MI. 

Join Incubator Farm Project staff from across the country to share best practice, troubleshoot common challenges, and grow as a community of practice! Register today!
Tilian Farm Development Cener
Veterans in Ag Network
West Michigan veterans... MSU Extension is hosting a veterans focus group on October 11 from 1800-2000 in Grand Rapids. MSUE is trying to identify the critical needs of veterans to shape their future outreach. Participants will be compensated for their time. For more information or to RSPV contact Zelda-Felix Mottley at [email protected] 
Women in Ag Network
Monday, October 17th, 12 PM-5 PM  On Farm Food Safety at Flint Farmers' Market.  Register here!

Mark your calendars!

Sunday, November 12th, 1 PM-5 PM.  Scaling Up at Thread Creek Farm. Registration will open soon.

Sunday, December 4th, 1 PM- 5 PM.  Successful Direct Marketing and Promotion at The Local Grocer. Register in November. 
WIA Farm Development Center
Other Community  Events/Opportunities
MSU Farmer Field School is comprised of intensive one and two day hands-on workshops. They are tailored to deliver in- depth, practical information built upon the foundational work of the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program and the wealth of knowledge in Michigan’s farming community.

October 28th at the Kellogg Center.  

Land Forum: Making Your Vacant Land Projects a Reality. Land Forum is a workshop series designed to help Detroit residents through the process of buying vacant property in Detroit.  Tuesday, October 25th 5:30pm-8:00pm
at the Red Door Studio (7500 Oakland Ave, Detroit, MI 48211)

Check out the  Let's Farm Michigan Calendar  for a ll your farming events or to post your event on the calendar contact [email protected] for more information.

Granting Resources  (in order of deadline date)

Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship Program
First Nations Development Institute will award 10 $1,000 scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic school year to Native American college students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields. 
Applications must be submitted by October 5, 2016.

Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant & Extended Learning Garden Grant. Created in partnership with FoodCorps, the School Garden Grant program provides a $2,000 monetary grant to support an edible educational garden on the grounds of a K-12 school. Application deadline is October 31

Laura Jane Musser Fund Rural Initiative The Laura Jane Musser Fund encourages collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions in a number of civic areas. Programs in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming may apply. Planning grants up to $5,000 and implementation grants up to $25,000 are available. Proposals must be submitted online by November 2, 2016.

NCR-SARE Announces 2017 Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants Call for Proposals. Youth Educator Grant projects provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about sustainable agriculture (farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, profitable, and socially responsible). Proposals are due by November 10, 2016.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service invites tribes, tribal organizations, and Native producers interested in selling food for school meals to the “ Farm to School Grant Program Review for Tribal Organizations ” webinar on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. EST. This webinar will provide an overview of the  Farm to School Grant Program  and application requirements specific to tribal organizations. Applications are due by December 8th.

Read more...

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

Career  Resources
sepia_stacked_hands.jpg
The Organic Farmer Training Program offers nine months of intensive instruction in year-round organic farming. The program focuses on diversified production of vegetables, livestock, flowers, fruits, and herbs for local markets. For more information visit MSU Organic Farm. Scholarships available! 

Farm Incubator Program in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with MSU.  Program Description:  The Apprentice Farmer Program is a farm incubator program that aims to serve as the launching point for individuals interested in starting their own farming enterprise. This two-year, residential program provides farming entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and assistance needed to ensure a solid start to their farming career. 

A New Partnership- 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 | [email protected]