By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University Extension will host the MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference from Feb. 23 through March 5, 2026.
The program returns for its sixth year and continues to provide wide ranging educational opportunities for farmers agribusiness professionals and others interested in agriculture.
The conference is offered entirely online allowing participants from across the Great Lakes region to attend. By hosting the event virtually MSU Extension makes it easier for people to learn from experts without travel barriers. Attendees can join sessions from their homes farms or offices and choose topics that match their interests.
The 2026 conference includes nearly 35 educational sessions spread over two weeks. Topics cover many areas of agriculture including agrivoltaics animal agriculture beginning farmer education fruits field crop production food preservation irrigation and vegetables.
Agrivoltaics sessions explore growing crops such as grass alfalfa hay and vegetables within solar projects and introduce solar grazing with cattle and sheep. Animal agriculture topics include beekeeping poultry production horse care in winter and animal health management.
Beginning farmer sessions focus on business planning financial tools marketing strategies farm diversification farm to school programs and crop insurance basics. Fruit sessions include pest management strawberry production and in season care. Field crop topics cover soil health testing innovative agronomy tools intermediate wheatgrass and open pollinated corn.
Food preservation sessions include canning selling honey and maple syrup jam and jelly making and Michigan cottage food law. Vegetable sessions cover pumpkins herbs tomatoes and brassica crops.
“Michigan is blessed with an incredibly diverse agricultural industry,” Cheyenne Sloan, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator in Kalamazoo County, said. “No matter the level of experience, there’s a session for everyone—from practical tools for new farmers to specialized knowledge for seasoned professionals.”
Thanks to support from MSU Extension and event sponsors AgriStrategies LLC and Consumers Energy the conference is offered at no cost. Registration is required to receive Zoom links. Registered participants may attend as many sessions as they wish and switch between tracks to create a personalized learning experience.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education