Michigan Family Farms Conference

Early-bird registration has been extended for the 12th annual Michigan Family Farms Conference on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Marshall High School. Save your seat before December 8 to get the $5 early-bird discount! This annual gathering is a forum for beginning, small-scale and culturally diverse farmers to network, learn and build sustainable family farms. Register now or check out the attached flyer for more information. This year’s conference theme, “Sustain our Future - Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities”, offers a diverse session line-up to serve farmers from all facets of Michigan agriculture. As we’re looking toward sustaining our future of thriving local food systems, two themes arise over and over again - healthy soils and healthy communities. This year’s eight conference tracks - including a youth track - take those themes on with great educational sessions and speakers, sharing real-world experiences.

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Two keynote addresses this year – by Jack Lee and Jim Marshall of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the morning and LaDonna Sanders Redmond of the Campaign For Food Justice NOW! in the afternoon – break this year’s theme down as these dynamic speakers share their passion and expertise in healthy, vibrant food systems, from the soil to our communities.

Adult registration costs $40 with the early-bird discount, and MIFFS members get an additional $5 discount. Not a member? Join now at www.miffs.org/join! Student and group rates are also available, and limited scholarship funds are available for reduced-price tickets. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also available. Please contact Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) at 517-432-0712 for more information.

Planning partners for this year’s event include Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Farm Research Cooperative, USDA NRCS, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Michigan State University Extension and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Calhoun County Conservation District.

Learn more about the conference, see a full list of sessions or register now at www.miffs.org/events/mffc, or contact the MIFFS office at 517-432-0712 or info@miffs.org.