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New Programs Available on MSU Extension
Beginning Farmer Website
MSU Extension offers a range of free online tools to help beginning farmers learn the basics. New recordings for 2017 include topics ranging from hoophouse management to mixed fruit orchards to maple syrup. Take advantage of these free tools by visiting the
MSU Extension Beginning Farmer Website
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Farm Development Centers and Networks
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Vets in Ag Network
Small Farm Pest Management Workshop
To teach small farmers how to manage common farm pests in a sustainable way, the Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) Vets in Ag (VIA) program held a workshop at the Tilian Farm Development Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, August 14
th.
Over 30 people attended, including farmers, gardeners, and entomologists. Attendees learned a range of different techniques for monitoring and managing pests on their own farms, including how lures can be used to attract and capture pests, how cover crops can help encourage beneficial insects, and what scouting methods are available to monitor fields for pests and beneficial predators. The group then walked through the Tilian farmers’ fields to see firsthand how different monitoring techniques could be applied.
Attendees were also introduced to a range of available programing that could support future work on their farms, including MIFFS’ programs and networks, MAEAP verification, NRCS habitat diversification and cover cropping programs, and the host of services provided by Michigan State University Extension.
For more information about the workshop or Integrated Pest Management techniques, contact MIFFS at (517) 432-0712 or
via@miffs.org or visit
www.miffs.org
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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.
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Women in Ag Network
Things have been busy at the Women In Ag Farm Development Center, compost has been turned, romaine transplants are in the ground, and a lot of weeding has been done -- big thanks to the volunteers who came out to help!
We’ll be setting up regular volunteer times in the near future. If you’re interested in volunteering or becoming a farmer at the WIA farm, please contact Dana Voorheis at (810) 247-8547.
The Women In Ag Network is hosting two upcoming events. Check the links below for more details. Stay connected with the WIA Network through
Facebook
and this newsletter.
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Tilian FDC
This month Tilian hosted an Integrated Pest Management tour led by the Vets in Ag Network (see above for more details on the event). Participants scouted Tilian fields for Pests and the produce for lunch was provided by Tilian farmers and prepared by local chef Dan Vernia at the Washtenaw County Food Hub.
As always, stay connected through Tilian’s
Facebook page and this newsletter.
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Multicultural Ag Network
Filiberto Villa Gomez, MIFFS Spanish Speaking Outreach Specialist, spoke about the challenges facing Latino farmers in MI at the 2017 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Summer Meeting in Madison, WI. Filiberto was asked to speak with Sustainable Agriculture organizations from all over the country to bring awareness about the pressures faced by Hispanic producers and to increase dialogue and inspire other organizations to act.
Immigrants workers and farmers are a critical component of agriculture in Michigan. However, these producers are facing different issues than other producers. For instance, Hispanic farmers with US citizenship report being profiled and stopped on their way to market or excluded from farmers markets, being told there are already enough Hispanic producers selling there.
MIFFS knows we are only aware of a fraction of what is going on in immigrant farmer communities and want to do more to bring attention to the issue. If you hear of instances of discrimination or racial profiling against immigrant farmers please let us know by emailing
info@miffs.org. MIFFS will be working to collect stories to share with legislature and the media while working to find solutions to support Latino Farmers. We also ask that you reach out to Hispanic neighbors farming in community, increase dialogue and offer moral support for such a vital component of our food system in the United States.
Pictured: NSAC panel, Lydia Villanueva (CASA del Llano), Paul Wolfe (NSAC Senior Policy Specialist), Filiberto Villa Gomez (MIFFS Spanish Speaking Outreach Manager), and Marla Larrave (NSAC Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator).
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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.
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MIFFS Directors Give Snap-Ed Keynote
Have you seen the billboards that say, "They learn from watching you," encouraging healthy eating and active lifestyles? Those billboards are a great example of the work being done through SNAP-Ed, the educational arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
MIFFS Co-Directors Lauren Marquardt and Jen Silveri were invited to be the keynote speakers for the annual training on Aug 24 where they discussed Creative Collaboration in Michigan's Food System. If you are ever interested in having MIFFS give a presentation, feel free to reach out to
info@miffs.org.
MIFFS Attends NSAC Meeting
MIFFS staff and field specialists attended the
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition summer meeting last month and are fired up about advocating for the programs that support our farmers. Want to learn more? Read about the NSAC Farm Bill priorities and ways to get involved
here.
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Community Resources/Announcements
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MIFFS Event Season Sponsorship Opportunities are OPEN!
Sponsorship is open for our 2017-18 event season. Being a sponsor provides year long benefits, with the opportunity to join two state-wide events; Meet the Buyers, on December 5th 2017 in Grand Rapids, and Michigan Family Farms Conference, on February 3rd 2018 in Kalamazoo. Click the button below to explore your options.
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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
lacey@miffs.org
for more information or to be added to the calendar.
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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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This webinar, hosted by Adam Ingrao of MIFFS, covers the forms that farms must submit in order to be issued a Farm Number through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). View it now on
YouTube.
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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.
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Cost Share for USDA NOP Organic Certification is Now Available
If you paid for organic certification (inspection, sales fees, inspector fees) for National Organic Program, cost share may be available to you!
The National Organic Program Cost Share is provided by the US Farm Bill and allows you to get 75% or $750 (whichever is less) of your costs returned.
This year, the program is being managed by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Contact your
local office for help completing the form.
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Biopesticide Database
If you’re searching for a biopesticide,
this site
can help.
Always check with your certifier before buying or applying any pesticide.
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Flint Fresh Food Hub Groundbreaking
The Flint Fresh Food Hub is breaking ground! Celebration will be held at 3325 E Court St, Flint, MI on September 8, 2017 beginning at 10:00 am. Refreshments will follow the program.
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Farming for All: USDA 101 for Beginning Farmers Events
Escanaba & Sault Ste. Marie
This workshop is designed for beginning farmers to provide an introduction for working with USDA to access Farm Bill programs. Special programs for beginning farmers, Veterans, low income producers, tribal members and farmers of color will be highlighted. It will also inform producers about free resources to help support farm development and access USDA programs including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
ESCANABA
Bay College, Escanaba, MI
Friday September 8th, 2017 from 4 pm-7 pm
SAULT STE. MARIE
Bayliss Library, Sault Saint Marie, MI
Saturday September 9th, 2017 from 10 am-1 pm
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Farm to Fork Fun at Peaceful Meadows Farm
Peaceful Meadows Farm is hosting a farm dinner at their 1865 homestead in Clio, MI on Sunday, September 10 from 10-6, rain or shine.
Programming includes an edible flower and weed walk, a Tai Chi class, honey production and tasting, gardening 101, and live music throughout the day
Cost per person is $20 and tickets must be purchased in advance by calling or texting 810-730-0175 or 810-730-0977. If you can’t attend dinner, there is no charge to visit the gardens, meet the animals, explore the barn, catch an activity, or listen to music.
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Financial Business Tools Workshop for Food Entrepreneurs & Farmers
September 18-19, 2017
Are your day-to-day operations maximizing your bottom line? Do you know how to quickly assess the financial impact of a new opportunity?
RSVP to join this
FREE
workshop for
busy good food entrepreneurs.
It will share
easy-to-use financial tools
to help you make quick decisions in support of your business’s profitability. This workshop will be held twice (Sept 18 in Muskegon and September 19 in Grand Rapids). Lunch will be provided.
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Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
September 26, 2017 from 10 am - 5 pm
MSU Horticulture Farm, 3291 College Rd, Holt, MI
Learn about mechanical weed control principles and tools ranging from new to old and American to European. See mechanical weeders on display and demonstrated in the field.
Cost: $15 - Register before Sept. 15 to guarantee lunch
Cash or check payment only at Field Day
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Mini-grant for Rural Food Access Survey – Request for Applications
Michigan-based organizations serving rural areas are eligible to apply for a mini-grant as part of the Michigan Good Food Shared Measurement Project.
Applications are due on Friday, September 29, 2017.
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Join us in supporting 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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480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
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