January 19, 2009 Crop Insurance, Ag-Credit and Profitable Wheat Management Workshop. Monsanto Research Plot Barn on the Haynes Farm, located at 474 S. Onondaga Road, Mason, MI. 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost covered by sponsors.
How does the current credit crisis affect farmers? Will it affect your ability to get operating loans, equipment loans, or other types of financing? What about crop insurance? What types of products are out there, and how can they help you manage risk? Farmers who had insufficient crop insurance in 2007 or 2008 are similarly wondering what their bottom line would have been if they had been adequately insured. Please join us as we interact with industry representatives to learn more about their perspective on crop insurance and ag-credit.
January 22, 2009 The Growers Workshop Wayne Co. MSU Extension 640 Temple St, 6th floor, Detroit. Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) will be hosting a workshop for growers interested in learning more about Farm to School. Farm to School is a growing movement in Southwest Michigan and provides an excellent opportunity for area farmers to diversify their business. If you are interested in learning how to sell produce to the schools in your community, this workshop is for you. Space is limited, so RSVP by Friday, January 16th. Please contact Michaelle Rehmann at (734) 222-3817 or email rehmannm@ewashtenaw.org<mailto:rehmannm@ewashtenaw.org to RSVP. Click on the above link for more information
January 22, 2009 Conservation District's Organic Farming Workshop, Springfield Oaks County Park Activities Bldg. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Attention farmers and those considering becoming farmers. The new Farm Bill may be some provisions for funding your operation! Not organic? Not Farming but would like to? Plan to attend Oakland Conservation District’s Organic Farming Workshop. Cost is $40.00, lunch provided. We’ll be explaining starting up, producer considerations, plus the new Farm Bill and how to find out if you can get federal dollars to help your operation. To register call 248-328-0594 or email oaklandcd@sbcglobal.net..
Winter Conferences and Expos
January 17, 2009 Michigan Family Farms Conference, Lakeview High School 1506 Helmer Rd South Battle Creek. Discuss issues facing limited resource farmers and family farm. Learn about the new Farm Bill opportunities, organic growing, woodlot management, beekeeping, marketing ideas, and alternative energy, Farm to School, insurance products, and loans. For more information contact MIFFS Office at (517)432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu or Barbra Norman (269)208-4588.
January 20, 2009 Get Farming! Entrepreneur Series, Michigan Works, 1209 Garfield, Suite C, Traverse City MI. If you’re dreaming about farming-and actually making money at it-then this is the place for you this winter. Market research, legal concerns, financial planning, management and other topics will be part of this business planning courses for aspiring farmers, or those needing a business brush-up. Core instruction will be provided by guest experts and the regional Small Business and Technology Development Center.
For only $85 you receive: Eight classroom sessions, field trips to farm and food businesses, and personal business-plan counseling. Space is limited, so please register now by calling the Michigan Land Use Institute at (231) 941-6584. For more information, call Jim Sluyter at 231-889-0199.
January 23-25, 2009 27th Annual NOFA-NY Conference: Meals without Wheels.Rochester NY, Rochester Riverside Convention Center. An educational conference with workshops for kids and adults celebrating local, organic food for farmers, gardeners, and consumers. Open to the public, register online at www.nofany.org or walk-in registrations are available.
January 28, 2009 Agriculture's Conference on the Environment, Lansing Center. Lansing, MI. Each session is designed to provide insight into real world issues facing farmers today with topics related to agriculture's sustainability: our changing energy landscape, community relations, the environment, market impact and more.
January 31, 2009 9th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference , Grayling High School, Grayling, MI. “Increasing Production and Usage of Locally Grown Products”. Please join us in celebrating the small farm success in northern Michigan and help shape the local food revolution. Topics include: Pasture Raised and Organic Livestock Production, Using Local Food, Organic Pork Production on Small Farms, Is Climate Changing in the Great Lakes Region, Passive solar Greenhouses for Season Extension and Winter Harvest, Cover Crops for Michigan’s Vegetable Farms, Specialty Mushroom Production for Small Scale Farms, and many more. For more information contact the Antrim County MSU Extension office at 231-533-8818.
February 26-28 2009 Organic Farm Conference, La Crosse, Wisconsin. An extraordinary, farmer-centered event, the Organic Farming Conference is the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. In 2008, more than 2,300 people attended, with participants traveling from 37 states and 1 foreign country. Sponsored by the Wisconsin-based Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), the conference is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community. The conference is highly regarded due to its practical workshops designed to help beginning, transitional, and experienced organic farmers.