Dear MIFFS Supporters,
Welcome to July! As we prepare for the holiday weekend, it is good to take pause and contemplate the meaning of the day and what it represents to each of us. The Declaration of Independence holds significance for many celebrated reasons but also contains script that necessitates thoughtfulness and action. The Fourth of July celebrates independence and as we return to a normalcy through gathering with friends and family, we reflect on where the country is at this moment - our moment. What can we do for future generations to inspire and create change? How can we look at our past to inform and improve our future? What can we do to continue this work, every single day?
There is a lot going on this month: additional funding was announced, workshops and conferences are being held virtually and in person, vaccines are continuing to be distributed, and we are working on the conference! MIFFS planning team is gathering to continue planning for the next Family Farms Conference in 2022. See the conference section below to learn more and how to join the planning team meeting next Tuesday.
We continue to bring information on Farmer Assistance Programs. Information can be found at www.farmers.gov and you can contact MIFFS with additional questions. Some of the programs available are:
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USDA’s Farm Service Agency is currently accepting new and modified CFAP 2 applications. More info and apply at www.farmers.gov/cfap/apply.
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New! Video series that walks applicants through CFAP2 Application, which provides a step-by-step look at form AD-3117, the CFAP 2 application. Farm Service Agency staff talk through each section of the form in eight simple videos, from the producer agreement to information that is commodity specific. More info here
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Pandemic Assistance funding has been made available to supplement The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) program for the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. More info here
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Pandemic Assistance for Producers page https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance includes information on main components of USDA's COVID-19 aid plans.
Recursos e información en español
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Cosecha Mensual es un boletín de noticias dirigido a la comunidad Latina e hispanohablantes. Esta publicación trata diversos temas, recursos, actualidades y eventos de interés acerca de agricultura orgánica y sustentable. Nuestra meta en ATTRA es proporcionar información y enlaces de interés de calidad sobre agricultura orgánica y sustentable en español. Esperamos que Cosecha Mensual nos ayude a llevar esta información a una audiencia más amplia. Suscríbase a nuestro boletín electrónico gratis aqui
- Recursos gratuitos del Gobierno: https://www.usa.gov/espanol/novedades/quiere-aprender-ingles-descubra-estos-recursos-gratuitos-del-gobierno
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Las siguientes traducciónes de los reglamentos orgánicos del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), la Ley de Producción de Alimentos Orgánicos (OFPA, por sus siglas en inglés) de los Estados Unidos, el Manual del Programa y varios otros recursos se proporcionan sólo con fines educativos. Mas informacion aqui
Finally, we would like to congratulate MIFFS Board of Directors member Quentin Tyler! After serving for one month as interim director of Michigan State University Extension, Quentin Tyler, Ph.D., was named director on June 1, 2021. We look forward to your continued excellent work! Read more about this announcement here.
With Energy,
The MIFFS Team
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Michigan Family Farms Conference Updates |
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The planning team is back together working hard to imagine what the 2022 Michigan Family Farms Conference might look like. One thing is for sure – the conference will happen, whether it is in-person, virtual, or a hybrid of the two – and we are so energized by the thought of seeing you all again!
The conference theme is meant to encompass a reflection of the past, and an outlook for the future. It also influences the workshop topics, speakers, keynote, and the general vibe of the conference. As we’ve reconvened and shared our experiences, we’ve heard words like “community resilience,” “healing,” and “reclaiming.” We would love to hear from you! If you have any words, sentiments, memories, or anything else to share, please share via email (mffc@miffs.org) or give us a call at 517-709-8271
Join the planning team! Looking for another way to help shape the conference? The planning team is always looking for new voices and ideas and there are many ways to get involved. Whether you can attend bi-monthly meetings, want to be a part of a sub-committee curating a conference track, or want to share your ideas one-on-one, we want as much community and farmer input as possible. Just send an email to mffc@miffs.org and we’d be happy to chat with you! Some financial compensation is available for participation. Join us for our next planning meeting on Tuesday, July 6 at 10 am via Zoom here Password: MFFC
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For more workshops and webinars offered, click over to our website here
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Monday Fruit IPM Webinars Fruit integrated pest management (IPM) meetings are held for fruit growers in southwest Michigan nearly every Monday from early April through the end of June. Michigan State University Extension Educators Mark Longstroth, Bill Shane, and Mike Reinke will share their results from scouting orchards, vineyards and fields of small fruit with area growers to keep them up to date on emerging developments in the area. Faculty and specialists from MSU will provide timely information on selected fruit topics. Registration and more info here
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Building Trust and Fostering Sustainable Collaboration Across Higher Education Institutions: Examples from Michigan and Texas. MSUCRFS, as part of its continuing work at the intersection of food systems and racial equity and pluralism, is interested in lifting examples of collaborations across land grant institutions and between land grants and public/private higher education institutions that are pluralistic in nature and built on trust and shared values. This webinar will feature examples from Michigan and Texas. The Michigan example is a collaboration across MSU Extension and three 1994 land grant Tribal Colleges: Bay Mills, Saginaw Chippewa, and Keweenaw Bay. The Texas example is a collaboration between Prairie View A&M University's Cooperative Extension Program (an 1890 land grant institution) and Baylor College of Medicine (a private institution). July 14, 4pm; register here
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Preserving MI Harvest Classes- Are you thinking about preserving food at home this summer? Please join MSU Extension every Thursday to learn best practices for safe home food preservation and receive valuable resources to ensure the safety of your home preserved foods. Join us using Zoom for each session or choose the topics that you are interested in. These free workshops will be taught by the MSU Extension Food Safety Team on Thursdays July and August; more info here
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For more grants & funding opportunities, click over to our website here
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For more jobs and other opportunities, click over to our website here
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COVID Vaccine & Resources |
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Additional Vaccine Sites (click on site for link):
COVID-19 Hotline: 888-535-6136 (press 1) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Phone: 517.709.8271 Email: info@miffs.org |
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