|
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.
|
|
|
MIFFS Event Season Sponsorship Opportunities are OPEN!
|
|
Sponsorship is open for our 2017-18 event season. These are 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 to the right to explore your options.
|
|
|
|
Farm Development Centers and Networks
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Upcoming Event
Small Farm Pest Management: Informed decisions and sustainable approaches
August 13th 8 am- 4 pm at Tilian Farm Development Center (Ann Arbor, MI).
The event is free, but registration is required as lunch will be served.
|
|
Women in Ag Network (WIA)
The WIA farm is in the process of working through parts of our EQIP contract with NRCS to make a number of improvements to the farm. This contract provided financial assistance to improve our Nutrient Management practices, support stronger Integrated Pest Management on the farm, and install conservation cover to benefit pollinators.
The Women in Ag Network and WIA Farm are built on women helping women, and the farm continues to seek women who are interested in farming with us in Grand Blanc. Incubator space is available as well as volunteer opportunities to gain first hand experience in managing a farm.
If you’re interested in becoming a farmer at the WIA farm, please contact Dana Voorheis at
(810) 247-8547.
Stay connected with the WIA Network through Facebook and this newsletter. The farm is planning to hold an open house as well as an educational field day later this year.
|
|
Tilian FDC
Tilian has recovered nicely after a wet stormy season (which included two hailstorms) and is currently entering peak production season.
Right now, Tilian is working with NRCS to finalize an EQIP contract that will assist incubator farmers in implementing stronger Nutrient Management and Integrated Pest Management practices, cover crop planting, and brush removal to control invasive species.
An open house and educational field day at Tilian are in the works for this fall. Don’t miss out -- Look for updates on Tilian’s
Facebook page and in this newsletter.
|
|
Multicultural Ag Network
Filiberto Villa Gomez, MIFFS’ Spanish Speaking Outreach Manager, will be a panelist at the upcoming
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
(NSAC)
summer meeting
(Aug 6-9 in Madison, Wisconsin). He'll discuss issues surrounding agriculture and immigration from the perspective of his work with Hispanic growers in southwest Michigan. He’ll also discuss how he believes people can best support immigrant farmers and farm workers.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
- The WIA Farm recently had a very nice feature in My City Magazine. Read the article here.
- Edible Flint, an important partner of MIFFS, hosted their 9th annual Food Garden Tour on July 26 and it was a huge success. MIFFS staff exhibited at the Flint Farmer's Market before the tour, handing out our Guide to Navigating USDA Services, and met several new faces who will be joining our farmer networks. Edible Flint is doing amazing work supporting Flint residents in growing and accessing healthy food - a critical component of dealing with the lead crisis as nutrition can mitigate risks of lead exposure.
- Through our innovative partnership with Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), MIFFS staff attended the Michigan Association of Health Plans Conference in Traverse City to talk about talk about using Community Supported Agriculture as a wellness incentive for insurance, particularly for Medicaid. We see this as a win-win-win -- for consumers who gain access to nutrient dense food at affordable rates, farmers who receive payments up front and have more predictable and consistent sales, and insurance providers who can be part of an innovative solution for people at risk of chronic disease.
We were excited to work with our local Statewide CSA Working Group partners, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and Taste the Local Difference. Providence Organic Farm and CSA generously donated three beautiful boxes of fresh vegetables that were given to a few lucky conference attendees. For more information about this project, contact Lauren Marquardt at lauren@miffs.org or Michelle Napier-Dunnings at mnapierd@mphi.org
|
|
|
Community Resources/Announcements
|
|
|
Let's Farm Michigan
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
October 24-26, 2017
Calling all good food entrepreneurs in Flint! Michigan Good Food Fund is hosting a FREE Boot Camp to help you take your business to the next level. Applications are due by September 11.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Farmer to Farmer, a farmlink website connecting farmers to land and jobs in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Manistee Counties is now live.
|
|
|
Join us in supporting the many faces of farming
|
|
 |
|
Joint Membership between MIFFS and National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is also available.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
