The MFFC proposal request response has been great! We are going through the submissions and will have some workshops and keynotes lined up soon. The subcommittee for workshop selection will be meeting next week so the deadline for proposals has been extended to Monday August 5th! This year, the
RFP:
is for both speakers and workshops. We would also like to hear if you are interested in seeing a topic or specific workshop at the conference. This year's theme "Nurturing Resilient Farms - 2020 & Beyond" is meant to bring together the farming community as it has for the past 16 years through education and information sharing. We also include a youth track so the kids can learn something too!
This year has a been a tough year for farming with the adverse climate conditions experienced throughout much of Michigan. This edition of the newsletter seeks to bring some resources to farmers in need of help; if there are resources that can be shared with this group, please do not hesitate to respond to this newsletter or email them to
info@miffs.org
MIFFS is here to connect beginning and historically underserved farmers to each other and resource opportunities; ensuring social justice, environmental stewardship, and profitability.
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If there are any questions about the items here or any MIFFS programs, please contact us via
email
or phone listed below. When we are not out in the field, we are in the office 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
The MIFFS Team
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Resources & Opportunities:
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Excessive moisture and flooding in 2019 have prevented or delayed planting on many farms across most of the country. Many producers are unable to plant crops by a final planting date or have experienced significant delays in planting. USDA knows producers are facing tough times and is working to assist produc
ers with making decisions. Click
here
for more info and available opportunities.
USDA reminds farmers that
cover crops can be planted
on fields where they were prevented from planting a cash crop.
Also see the FSA disaster assistance fact sheet
here
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As farmers and ranchers pick up the pieces and work to rebuild in the wake of natural disasters, the financial, physical and emotional weight of navigating recovery can be overwhelming. Click
here for resources available
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¡Produce Safety Alliance se complace en anunciar la disponibilidad de su sitio web y materiales asociados en español!
El nuevo sitio web en español
es un repositorio de materiales educativos, actualizaciones de la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, información sobre el instructor e instructor líder de la Alianza e datos de contacto del equipo de la Alianza y sus colaboradores. Con una creciente población doméstica de habla hispana de la fuerza laboral agrícola y un gran volumen de productos importados anualmente de países latinoamericanos sujetos a la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, este sitio web servirá como un recurso crítico para los productores, instructores, miembros de la industria y funcionarios reguladores de todo el mundo. Se desarrollarán y/o traducirán al español más materiales que serán agregados al sitio web en el futuro. Un agradecimiento especial para la Dra. Laura Acuña-Maldonado (Asociada de extensión en español) y a el Sr. Rob Way (Desarrollador de productos multimedia y administrador de base de datos) por su arduo trabajo para hacer que este sitio web sea una realidad.
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A new online tool
can help farmers and ranchers find information on USDA farm loans that best fit the needs of their operation. The tool is especially helpful to farmers who are new to farm loans and need help finding the right type of loan for their business needs
.
If you’re looking for financing options to operate a farm, buy land, or both, you can
answer a few simple questions
about what you’re looking to fund and how much money you need to borrow. You will receive information within minutes on which types of loans may best fit your needs. This new tool is especially helpful for beginning farmers and ranchers as well as those who are new to FSA farm loans.
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Join MIFMA on August 27 (10am-12pm) at
Ham Family Farm
in Allendale, MI for a farm tour and a discussion on farm labor, and specialty crop production! Ham Family Farm is owned and operated by Charlie Ham, whose family has worked on the farm and contributed to their success at farmers markets.
Register Here
!
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Are you a farmer who needs seasonal or temporary workers for planting, cultivating, or harvesting crops? The H-2A temporary agricultural workers program–often called the H-2A Visa Program–helps American farmers who anticipate a lack of available domestic workers fill employment gaps by hiring workers from other countries. With the new Checklist Tool, participating in the Program is now easier than ever. Discover the checklist tool at farmers.gov or click
here
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North Circle Seeds
is a new Minnesota-grown seed company that is made up of a circle of seed growers in Minnesota. They provide seed that is regionally adapted to the Upper Midwest climate using chemical-free, organic practices. This summer they'll be conducting a survey from July 5th to August 10th to learn more about how they can better support both growers and seed purchasers. The survey takes less than 10 minutes, and can be taken online using the link
here
. All participants will receive a code for purchasing three free seed packets ($15 value) and will automatically be entered into a raffle for a t-shirt!
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The
Stone Barns Regenerative Farming Fellowship
(RFF) provides medium-scale farmers who are planning or have begun a transition to regenerative practices with education, a supportive peer network, and the inspiration, leadership and advocacy skills they need to bring about structural change. The farmers who will benefit most from this program produce grains, oilseed, pulses, hay and/or grasses, vegetables, fruits, or livestock, and most likely live in the country’s midsection. More details on the program and eligible farmers are available
here
.
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The Community of Food, Society & Justice Conference
will engage students, faculty, staff, farmers, and the community in rigorous dialogue around these challenges. The conference will be structured around a foundation of interdisciplinary scholarship that agrees that recognizing structural relations of power are necessary in order to confront race, class, and gender privileges on these issues and others. Please click
here
to access the conference schedule, registration, and the call for posters
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Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
If you are a farmer or rural entrepreneur in the Midwest, you are invited to use a free Grants Advising service of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.
Our 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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KBS
is seeking a Science Coordinator for the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program (lter.kbs.msu.edu) at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), an off-campus academic unit of Michigan State University (MSU). The Science Coordinator will support the LTER efforts to promote transformational science at the LTER. This is an annual (12 month) Academic Specialist appointment with competitive salary and benefits. More info
here
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University of Michigan:
The ‘Applied Sustainability Specialist’ will coordinate and support the Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSL) and the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program (UMSFP), two student leadership programs at the University of Michigan. The position will develop curriculum for student leadership development, group cohesion, and guide the students in goal setting and implementation. The position will provide administrative and programmatic support for student activities, and will represent the students goals and work when they are unable to be present. More info
here.
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UP Farm is Seeking an experienced farmer for an 800+ acre Delta County farm, on the beautiful Garden Peninsula, between Escanaba and Manistique, 9 miles south of Highway 2, in the small community of Garden, Michigan. Farm includes cattle, hay and a variety of crops (apples, raspberries, grapes, vegetables, etc). Base compensation with incentive fees based on producing positive financial results are part of the contract package. House (4bd/2ba) to live in is on premises. More info
here
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Americorps:
Join the Ingham County Health Department's award-winning AmeriCorps State Program this fall! If you're passionate about food access, nutrition, social justice, and civic engagement join the team. The ICHD AmeriCorps State Program places members at non-profit organizations, government agencies, and faith-based institutions to work directly with the community in areas of food access and healthy lifestyles programming. More info
here
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Assist the
NRCS District Conservationist
in planning, implementing, and processing USDA Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts in Manistee and Benzie Counties. More info
here
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NSAC
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is seeking a passionate, experienced, strategic and collaborative policy leader who will build upon the Coalition’s accomplishments over the past 30 years and help lead the charge to even bigger victories in the future. The Policy Director must be deeply committed to serving the sustainable agriculture movement and its federal policy work and to becoming an integral part of our high-performing, passionate, and diverse team. The Policy Director is a full-time, salaried position and is based in Washington, DC. More info
here
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Physical Address: 2438 Woodlake Circle, Suite 136, Okemos, MI 48864
Mailing Address: 480 Wilson Road, Room 172, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: info@miffs.org
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