Dear MIFFS Supporters,
Happy New Year! There is so much going on- hitting the ground running in 2022!
The planning team continues to work on the virtual debut of the 18th Annual Michigan Family Farms Conference March 16-19. There will be sessions in the afternoon and also in the evening for you to learn and enjoy. We have the registration open now here and will continue to post updates on our website about the event. We are also looking for nominations for our annual awards; please submit nominations at bit.ly/mffc2022awards
The conference is also FREE this year! We look forward to a dynamic and exciting conference and if you are interested in helping MIFFS through a conference sponsorship, we would love to hear from you! We have some information on ways to support the conference through sponsorship here. Feel free to contact lauren@miffs.org for more detailed information.
The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is joining other agricultural justice organizations in launching the most inclusive survey of young and BIPOC farmers to date. Every five years NYFC surveys young farmers across the country to present an up-to-date picture of the challenges and promises of the next generation in agriculture. If you are a current or former farmer or farmworker, NYFC wants to hear from you! By taking the 2022 survey you can help inform and inspire the bold policy needed for an equitable farm future. Take the survey here.
Curso a distancia de Capacitación para productores de la Alianza-PSA, 12 y el 19 de febrero, 2022 (dos sábados consecutivos). NOTA: Este no es un curso presencial. Este curso será impartido a distancia (virtualmente) utilizando una plataforma basada en internet durante el transcurso de dos medios días. Los participantes tienen que estar familiarizados y sentirse capaces de utilizar dicha tecnología. Aquí se proporciona más información sobre los requisitos técnicos para participar con éxito en el curso. Este curso está disponible solamente para participantes ubicados en los Estados Unidos (incluyendo territorios y estados asociados) Por favor, complete el formulario de inscripción para el curso a distancia de Capacitación para productores de la Alianza-PSA en español.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) intends to apply for a funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This opportunity will be approximately $6,600,000 and is through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) (authorized and funded under Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L. 117-2). MDE is interested in partnering with 2-3 regional or statewide organizations to assist in achieving the purposes of the grant. All letters must be received no later than 8:00 AM on Thursday, January 27, 2022, to be considered. Please contact john@miffs.org to get more information about the opportunity.
There are a lot of jobs open around the state right now! A couple of farms across the state have reached out to us to get the word out about the openings:
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Farm Manager in Copper Harbor here, couples are invites to apply!
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Farmer/Grower in the Cadillac area here with starting salary of 60-70K.
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Organic farmer in Saginaw needed! Email Howard Szaroletta howszar@yahoo.com, 989-295-4132 for more info.
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Allen Neighborhood Center Farmers Market & Bread Basket Manager, more info here
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College is hiring 2 positions!
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Food Hub Outreach and Marketing Coordinator here
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Food Systems Education Program Manager here
That's a lot! We are here if you need some assistance! Reach out and we will connect you!
With Energy,
The MIFFS Team
