The MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference is an annual event held during Michigan State University’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Month celebration and draws in over 900 participants each year. This year’s conference will be held Feb. 19 through March 1. Michigan State University Extension educators coordinate the educational offerings for this event. Visit MI Ag Ideas to Grow With for more information and to register for sessions.
With over 40 educational sessions to choose from, the event is rich in learning opportunities. Depending on what you grow, there are a variety of sessions on field crops, animal agriculture, irrigation and water, solar, farm stress, vegetables and beginning farmer specific topics throughout the two-week period. The following are just some of the many educational options that may be of interest to beginning farmers.
Monday, February 19
1 - 2 p.m. – Beginning Vegetables
Vegetables are easy to try as a new grower or as a new crop among other enterprises. Learn the types of vegetables to consider for different markets and some techniques for their production at smaller scales.
Tuesday, February 20
12 - 2 p.m. – Organic Farming, Certified or Not!
Gain insight of approaches to farm sustainability by integrating organic practices into your farming system. Some may seek certification, but that depends on your markets and drive. We will discuss the values and challenges imposed by organic certification versus following organic practices. 1 - 2 p.m. – The Three F’s of Farmland: Finding It, Funding It, and The Future of It.
Land access is often the biggest challenge for beginning farmers. Learn tools to find farmland, fund it and to keep it farmland for future generations.
Click here to read more msu.edu
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Categories: Michigan, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Education, Energy