Dear MIFFS Supporters,
Welcome to Fall! It feels like the season changed overnight. We are excited for the harvest and look forward to many wonderful diverse products from this very produce diversified state (second only to California).
We continue to work on providing resources through our website (and staff) and look forward to virtual workshops coming up later in the season. More details on our workshops will be in future newsletters- for September there are many workshops and educational opportunities to attend! Also scroll all the way down to check out the jobs at the end of the newsletter.
As we make our way through autumn and fall into winter, we will keep working to bring you the resources and opportunities that keep us all engaged and informed. We all must do our part: be counted and be heard! The census will be wrapping up at the end of September and we all have the election in November. These important events shape our future and future generations.
Until next month, stay safe and healthy!
The MIFFS Team
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Make Sure You Are Counted! Take the 2020 U.S. Census Today!
It is vital that Michiganders unite and encourage each other to complete the 2020 United States Census. When Michiganders are missing from the census, our existence and our struggles are erased from the story of America. Resources and political representation, meant to support our community and give us a voice, are assigned elsewhere. The census determines how money and your political representation are assigned by counting how many people there are to serve in each neighborhood, city, and state. Yet time and time again the census has missed millions of people — including communities of color, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, migrant workers, immigrants and refugees, people experiencing homelessness, and young children. These groups are missed for several reasons such as language barriers, displacement, where they live, or fear over how data is stored and used. Completing the census will direct billions of dollars to local communities every year, for the next 10 years, for our local health programs, hospitals, our food assistance programs, schools, and affordable housing, all of which contributes to a healthier Michigan.
The census asks nine basic questions: name, age, gender, ethnicity, race, number of people in the household, anyone additional in your house as of April 1, if you own or rent your home and phone number. The census does not ask for your citizenship status.It takes less than 10 minutes to complete the census – but those 10 minutes can help all Michigan residents for the next 10 years. Take the census today. #BeCounted
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Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP): |
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Producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provides direct payments to farmers and ranchers to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. Applications will be accepted through September 11, 2020.
The application form and a payment calculator are available on farmers.gov/cfap. and a call center (877-508-8364) is set up to help you with your questions from 7:30am – 8:00 pm ET to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance.
USDA knows producers are facing a tough time now, and they are making every effort to provide much needed support as quickly as possible. Producers of all eligible commodities can apply through their local FSA office. FSA is available over the phone and virtually to walk you through the application process, whether it’s the first time you’ve worked with us, or if you know us quite well.
Changes to CFAP include:
- Adding the following commodities: alfalfa sprouts, anise, arugula, basil, bean sprouts, beets, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, celeriac (celery root), chives, cilantro, coconuts, collard greens, dandelion greens, greens (others not listed separately), guava, kale greens, lettuce – including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green, oak leaf red and red leaf – marjoram, mint, mustard, okra, oregano, parsnips, passion fruit, peas (green), pineapple, pistachios, radicchio, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, fresh sugarcane, Swiss chard, thyme and turnip top greens.
- Expanding for seven currently eligible commodities – apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines and taro – CARES Act funding for sales losses because USDA found these commodities had a 5 percent or greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing adjustments.
- Determining that peaches and rhubarb no longer qualify for payment under the CARES Act sales loss category.
- Correcting payment rates for apples, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms, papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines and taro.
Other CFAP resources available:
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USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Nov. 2, 2020. Click here for more details.
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Mental Health Innovations in Agricultural Communities Tue, Sep 22, 2020 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT This session is a panel presentation that communicates a forward vision addressing disparities in agricultural mental health. The presenters will explore the development of a farmer specific hotline, the efforts of a state department of agriculture, and suggested strategies to address a central objective-to meet the mental health needs of ALL agricultural producers and their families. Registration here
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Save the Date September 21-25: National Farm Safety and Health Week Free Webinars to help us keep farmers and ranchers working safely. Find out more here. Presented by AgriSafe: formed in 2003 by rural nurses who believed that together they could improve the health and safety of farmers and ranchers. Today, AgriSafe builds the competency of health and safety professionals to deliver exceptional occupational agricultural health care.
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Complete el siguiente formulario https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0krUGbPz0Sk8dZH y le enviaremos una grabación del seminario virtual titulado "Seguridad de los productos en la granja para pequeños productores en la era de COVID-19". Por favor tenga en cuenta que solo su dirección de correo electrónico es de carácter obligatorio. Usted puede proveer el resto de la información de forma completamente voluntaria. Esta información se usará estrictamente para reportar números en cada categoría y no se vincularán a su correo electrónico.
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Did you know that Michigan produce growers enjoy more on-farm produce safety support than growers in other states? The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team provides FREE educational programs and farm visits through a collaboration between the Michigan Produce Safety Technician Program and members of Michigan State University Extension. Click here for more info.
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Do you purchase fresh produce for an institution or know someone who does? Please consider taking and/or sharing a survey about food safety requirements for suppliers at the following link: https://bit.ly/2IFB3Xl All of the questions are in multiple choice format and the survey will take an estimated time of 7 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous and participation is completely voluntary. The survey will be open through September 14, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, feel free to contact Mariel Borgman from MSU Extension at mborgm@msu.edu.
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MSU Extension specialists and educators are teaming up to bring agribusiness professionals and farmers a series of “Virtual Breakfast” meetings. This week’s discussion will focus on transitioning to organic and production and possible market opportunities for Michigan grains and beans. These free, 30-minute online meetings offer a discussion of current field and weather conditions, timely crop production tips and the latest information on emerging issues likely to affect growers across the state. The live, online meetings run 7–7:30 a.m. every Thursday via Zoom during the growing season from April 16 to Sept. 10, 2020. More information is at https://www.canr.msu.edu/field_crops/virtual-breakfast/
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In response to a growing rural mental health crisis, National Farmers Union (NFU), Farm Credit, the American and Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) this week announced a free online training program to help farmers, their families and neighbors identify and cope with stress. Learn more about the training here.
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PSA Grower Training Courses Available During COVID-19 When measures to control COVID-19 went into effect across the United States and other countries, the PSA team moved quickly to ensure growers would have access to required produce safety training. The PSA team fast-tracked an Online PSA Grower Training course option and a Temporary Remote Delivery course option. Both successfully launched in April 2020. Now, in addition to in-person courses that continue to be available at some locations, fresh produce growers and packers have access to the course via the internet in two different formats. The Online option is best for those who need to work at their own pace, and that have more time to invest. The Online PSA Grower Training is text heavy and requires participants to write six discussions for evaluation by a PSA Trainer. The Remote Delivery option is best for those who have blocks of time available and prefer to listen to a PSA Trainer deliver the content as live presentations over the internet. Full details of these two course options are in the linked descriptions. Search our Upcoming Grower Trainings listing for a course that meets your training needs or talk to your local produce safety outreach team member about their plans to offer the course in the coming months.
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We are all stronger when we work together. When farmers and attorneys share knowledge, the entire local food system moves forward. Farm Commons fosters the discussions and connections that build a strong legal backbone for our community. Sign up for the farm commons newsletter at this link.
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The 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium: Nourishing Cities in a Changing Climate, hosted by the Kansas State University and K-State Research and Extension, has been modified to an online format scheduled for each Wednesday in October from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT. Live keynote speakers will be featured each Wednesday accompanied by breakout discussions and poster sessions. Cost for access to all live and recorded presentations is $100 for professionals and $50 for students (includes AmeriCorps and FoodCorps members), with a price increase on September 18.
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USDA announced the launch of a hub designed to assist local and regional food producers as USDA and its partners develop, share and assess resources on local and regional food system responses to COVID-19. The Local Food System Response to COVID Resource Hub was created through USDA’s cooperative agreement with the University of Kentucky, Colorado State University and Pennsylvania State University. Local and regional farms and facilities tend to be more vulnerable to market disruptions as they are operated by smaller, new/beginning, historically underserved or low resourced producers and business owners. This searchable database contains insights and educational material from 16 partner organizations to help local and regional food producers and businesses adapt their market strategies in the current environment.
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Michigan farmers can now mediate a wide range of disputes at no cost through the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP). The 2018 Farm 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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Michael Fields Agricultural Institute F armers or rural entrepreneur in the Midwest are invited to use a free Grants Advising service of the Institute. 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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Grants & Funding Opportunities: |
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The MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant program will award $1.25 million in grants to farms with less than 10 employees to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs. These include but are not limited to testing costs, personal protection equipment, facility needs, increased sanitation costs, employee training, and upgraded safety procedures for farm-provided housing. Grants will be limited to $1,000 per employee, and the program will cover costs incurred from June 1, 2020 through Sept. 15, 2020. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for funding starting Tuesday, July 21, at 9 a.m. EST at michiganbusiness.org/agsafety. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until all funding has been awarded.
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USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas. An application package can be downloaded from Grants.gov CFDA 10.446
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). To learn more about the FSA microloan program visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans, or contact your local FSA office.
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Through the USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the nation’s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences, applicants who meet eligibility requirements as a New Investigator can apply for a seed grant or a New Investigator standard grant. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet prescribed criteria as a New Investigator. An individual who is beginning their career, does not have an extensive scientific publication record, and has fewer than five years postgraduate career-track experience (i.e., positions in which the individual’s institution allows them to submit competitive grant applications as Project Director beyond a fellowship) can apply for a New Investigator Grant for research, education, and/or extension activities. Find out more about new AFRI funding opportunities.
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With the generous support of MEDC, Michigan-based foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and in collaboration with the SBA, the Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund. This fund is intended to assist geographically and demographically disadvantaged individuals. More info here
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The 2021 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Partnership Grant Program Call for Proposals is now available online at Program.https://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Partnership-Grant. NCR-SARE’s Partnership Grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. The deadline for Partnership Program proposals is October 22, 2020 at 4pm CDT
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The 2021 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Youth Educator Grant Call for Proposals is now available. 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). Projects should help youth discover that sustainable farming and ranching is profitable; good for families, communities, and their quality of life; and good for the environment long term. The maximum amount for grants is $4,000, and a total of approximately $60,000 is available for this program. Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at https://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant/Youth-Educator-Grant.
Proposals are due by November 12, 2020 at 4pm CST.
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USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP through the RCPP portal . Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2020. For more information, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.
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Artist Emergency Fund The Crosshatch Artist Emergency Fund has raised and distributed $25,000 to northern Michigan artists since March 13. Thanks to the Urgent Needs funds at the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, this relief fund is expanding to include assistance for artists in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Apply or donate here: www.crosshatch.org/emergency.
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TCF Bank will commit $1 billion in loans to minority communities and minority- and women-owned small businesses, as well as a $10 million grant program to assist low-to-moderate income home buyers. The small business loans of up to $1 million each will be available across TCF’s footprint and nationally. The bank will focus its efforts in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, and other cities in its markets. Read the full announcement here.
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EIDL Loan Application Portal Opened to Agricultural Enterprises Only The Small Business Administration opened its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) portal on May 4, 2020, to agricultural enterprises only. The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. An Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000 is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
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The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) seeks a part-time Michigan Technical Assistance Navigator to support young farmers and service providers in Michigan. The Navigator will collaborate with Michigan Food and Farming Systems, as well as the Young Farmers Business Services team, to: understand national and statewide farm technical assistance opportunities; conduct research into and report on gaps in technical assistance opportunities in Michigan; and assist Michigan farmers with accessing the services they need to start and manage successful farm businesses. Though the Navigator will work with a wide range of farmers and service providers across the state, working with Michigan dairy farmers and BIPOC farmers will be of particular importance to this project.The Navigator will report to the Business Services Director (based in New York) and will be supported by the Business Services team. The Navigator will be remotely based within Michigan, with occasional travel throughout the state. More info at https://www.youngfarmers.org/about/jobs/#mitechasst
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Groundwork Center is seeking a Policy Specialist to carry out our 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms outreach and advocacy initiative. The ideal candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about the value of getting locally grown food to children in school and early childcare settings; experienced in public policy advocacy, networking, and facilitation; and wake up every day thinking about how to embed 10 Cents a Meal and the value of investing in healthy, locally grown food for children in school and early child care into Michigan’s identity. This position is full time, year round, and will report to Groundwork’s Senior Policy Specialist. Learn more about the position, salary range, and how to apply here
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American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work.The Land Use Researcher supports AFT’s programming and policy advocacy to protect agricultural land from development, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. As an integral part of the AFT research program team, the Land Use Researcher (LUR) is responsible for carrying out quantitative research to understand the effects of land-use change on agricultural land, focusing primarily on AFT’s multi-year Farms Under Threat research initiative. More info here
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MEJC Action! is hosting two fellows to work on a digital media project about Climate Justice in Rural Michigan. We are offering a generous stipend of $8000 to each fellow to join us from September - December to work on social and environmental justice advocacy through a digital mediums of their choice (video production, podcasting, zoom, etc) . Black, Indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply as well as any member of underrepresented groups in climate justice (women, LGBTQ+, low income, working class, farmers, immigrants). Candidates must be able to demonstrate strong social ties to a rural community in Michigan.
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The proposal submission deadline is September 27, 2020.
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Job opportunities with the Knowledge Exchange- a new communication/integration/translation unit in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University:
The GIS Technology Specialist will work under the direction of the Technology Manager of the Knowledge Exchange (KX) to support the identification, assimilation, management, and analysis of geospatial data.
Web professional to fill a full-time position as a front-end web and application developer with a concentration in data visualizations and web animation.
The Knowledge Communications Manager should have a broad range of skills and an interest in developing more. A writer with basic design sensibilities and an interest in science and data is ideal.
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The Midland & Gladwin County Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Town are hiring a full time/part-time temporary Program Technician (PT). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude and enjoy working with the public. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please share this information with them. To apply, please e-mail your resume to tara.clapp@usda.gov. Contact Tara Clapp at 989-426-9461 for Gladwin applicants and 989-832-3651 for the Midland office if you have specific questions regarding the position.
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The application portal for a 2020-2021 FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Member to serve with Muskegon Public Schools. The candidate must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours between August 2020 and July 2021. Contact FoodCorps Michigan Program Coordinator Quan Blunt: - quan.blunt@foodcorps.org Apply Today!
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Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: info@miffs.org |
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