Dear MIFFS Supporters,
Welcome to August, an exciting month for us at the MIFFS office! We have three staff birthdays in the next couple weeks and look forward to our zoom party! Many other wheels are turning this month- lots of resources and grant opportunities to get to and also many workshops to register for! The newsletter comes out (usually) on the first Friday of every month filled with many opportunities but what can you do for the other days of the month? The miffs.org/resources page is constantly updated to include the most up to date workshops, jobs, resources, and grants. We also invite you to send along your workshops or other information that might be beneficial to our supporters to the email: info@miffs.org
A new resource that we are excited to pass along is mifarmlink.org. The MiFarmLink Project aims to help shepherd prime farmland from its current stewards into the hands of the next generation and help the new farmers fill the vital role and successfully. Land access continues to be a constant barrier for many farmers.
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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Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program: (PLIP) provides financial relief for those losses and costs associated with depopulation due to COVID-19. This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More info here
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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.
Check out the resources below and find more at our resources page today and throughout the month.
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; we strive to compensate folks for their time and efforts and will be prioritizing compensating those who are experiencing current financial challenges. Join us for our next planning meetings on Tuesday, August 17 and 31 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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23rd Annual Tour of Detroit Farms and Gardens With last year as an exception, the Detroit Tour of Urban Farms and Gardens has been an annual tradition for 23 years! We're excited to bring back the tradition this year, encouraging Detroit growers to come together once again to tour each others gardens, make connections and get inspired! Due to the continuing safety measures we're following to keep folks safe during Covid-19, this year's tour will self-driven and will not include a reception. August 24, 5pm; More info and registration 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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Cultivate Michigan Marketplace: Growing Connections in Early Care and Education. These events will facilitate connections between child care providers and food suppliers who want to buy and sell more local foods. Each event is regional in scope and intended for early care and education sites and food suppliers. Early care and education providers will rotate through virtual breakout rooms to meet food suppliers in their area. Early care and education providers and farmers/food suppliers will receive a gift card for their participation in one event. More information on the regional events and registration is 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 in August; more info here
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Hazelnuts in Agroforestry Twilight Tour Whether or not you are currently growing hazelnut trees, there’s much to learn and appreciate about this plant in Northern Michigan. This tour will provide a great introduction to this plant for beginners and also a lively discussion among enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who have some relationship and experience with it already. Come join Crosshatch, the Conservation Districts of Antrim, Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse Counties, and the MSU Product Center for a tour of an Antrim County property with mature hazelnut tree plantings. August 17, 6:30; 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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