Blog

Bruce-Michael Wilson, was raised on 160 acres of farm land in Hopkins—a small town in Allegan County, Michigan. As a child, Wilson loved the ample space to roam and passed the time by helping his family with farm work. But as one of the only Black families who owned land in the area, Wilson knew […]

The Community Farm of Ann Arbor is looking to hire a head farmer.

In a world that needs new farmers, on land that needs new ways of raising food, and among bodies that need new ways of being nourished, the Dreamgoats aim to maintain natural systems, recycle waste, build soil fertility, and add value to the lives of other beings. THE DREAM 1. To purchase 3 goat kids & solar-electric […]

An updated version of Dr. Phillip H. Howard's Who Owns Organic info graphic is now available here. When Howard, who is an associate professor at Michigan State University, first made the info graphic is 2012, a number of independent organic brands had been acquired by larger food corporations. Howard updated the chart because, as he […]

The same forces that have made the Flint disaster possible are the same ones that are bent on privatizing public water supplies and preventing a just resolution to the growing world climate disaster. The following is an excerpt from a Statement from SxSW Experiment about the water crisis in Flint, MI. The experiment is a powerful grassroots coalition of […]

GrowTown is currently implementing an entrepreneurial market garden business in Detroit, Michigan. The Penrose Market Garden is being developed by GrowTown under a 2015 Kresge grant to be a profitable sub-acre urban market garden business that generates significant income for a market grower. The GrowTown model integrates this local food business into an urban affordable […]

The MSU Farmer Field School is comprised of intensive one and two day hands-on workshops. They are tailored to deliver in-depth, practical information building on the decade of farmer training on-going at the MSU Student Organic Farm and the wealth of knowledge in Michigan’s farming community. Experienced farmers and premier agriculture educators from our region […]

Michigan State University is ready to accept applications for their 2015 farmer training program! Looks like a really exciting opportunity. Here's what they have to say: "The Organic Farmer Training Program offers nine months of intensive instruction in year-round organic farming.  The program focuses on diversified production of vegetables, livestock, flowers, fruits and herbs for […]

The Genesee County Land Bank is great model for dealing with foreclosures and vacant lots. Check them out! The Land Bank's mission is to restore value to the community by acquiring, developing and selling vacant and abandoned properties in cooperation with stakeholders who value responsible land ownership. Adopt A Lot program (pdf)  

September 19-21. 2014 Lake City, Michigan The Earthwork Harvest Gathering is a celebration of food and music, featuring the freshest of local ingredients and fine imported specialties. A family-friendly Gathering bringing us into contact with the abundance of our community, the Earthwork Harvest Gathering has ripened Michigan's artisan culture for 13 years and running, and […]

A FarmRaiser is a powerful and innovative way to raise money for your project while helping to build a stronger, healthier community. We use technology and old fashioned organizing to create product-based fundraisers that allow students to sell healthy products from local businesses. These programs are currently in Michigan and Washington State. If you are a farmer and interested […]

Hello upper midwest/Michigander Greenhorns, We are attending the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference on February 1st, which should be a blast! We need a steadfast Greenhorn to man the table for us. Full tabling kit mailed to you, and we will pay your conference fee.  Email [email protected] if willing and able.

Calling all farm interns, apprentices, students of agriculture! Ever wish you had an opportunity which would fill the gap between coursework and internships and the experience of independently owning a farm? The Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design is forming a farmer residency program which gives journeyman farmers access to the technical, managerial, […]

AMC2013: Media Strategies for a More Just & Creative World 15th annual ALLIED MEDIA CONFERENCE JUNE 20 - JUNE 23, 2013 • DETROIT, MI The Allied Media Conference is a laboratory for creativity and media-based solutions. Held every summer in Detroit, the AMC unites the worlds of media and communications, technology, education and social justice. From this […]

from the Utopia Fund.  Microcredit in Leelanau County, MI The Utopia Foundation is committed to creating sustainable change through domestic and international microloan programs. Microcredit provides small loans to people that may not qualify for funding through conventional banking systems. This financial resource allows an individual to begin, or build the capacity of a microenterprise, […]

Makes me drool. What a great opportunity for diverse horticultural producers! http://www.michfpa.org/processors/

ISLAND (Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design) is creating an enclosed trailer that unpacks into a high-efficiency, three-season food preservation kitchen and workshop space. This is a lightweight trailer that can be pulled onto small farms at the peak of produce ripeness. From the trailer we unload tents, tables and outdoor stoves. The […]

In the Midwest, where the immigrant population has soared in recent years, Latino farmers are breaking through cultural and language barriers to operate their own farms. A new US government project is also supporting their efforts. Reporter Anna Boiko-Weyrauch reports on two immigrant farmers’ journeys. read + listen to learn more: http://www.theworld.org/2013/02/immigrant-farmers-midwest/ brought to you by […]

A worth indiegogo campaign: Anyone Can Farm from Bakers Green Acres The goal of Anyone Can Farm is to provide knowledge and training in fundamental areas of farming such as: raising and processing poultry & livestock, soil management, gardening & seed harvesting, and traditional or diversified farm/ecosystem managment. We wish to someday have an Anyone […]

Save the date: July 2 – 14, 2012 TIME TO REGISTER NOW! DETROIT 2012: Re-Imagine the World, Transform Ourselves & Fight for the Future… The old economy is failing. A new economy is sprouting like shoots after a forest fire. This transition to new ways of understanding and organizing work is as significant as the […]

There have been some updates to the schedule, see below. 20 & 21 april 2012 EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN @ broad art museum, michigan state universtiy the land grant: join us for the launch of the land grant, a new residency program by the broad art musuem for artists working around the topics of land use, […]

Ann Arbor Farmers Market Manager City of Ann Arbor $38,082 - $48,793 (DOE) Role Summary: The Market Manager shall be responsible for management, coordination and supervision of the day-today activities of the Ann Arbor Public Market, including general maintenance of the Market facility and enforcement of the provision of Chapter 31 of City Code, the […]

This comes to us by way of Ben Brown, a farmer who reports a positive personal experience with this land conservancy.  A wonderful opportunity for a history-loving greenhorn!  Download the full description of the opportunity HERE The Leelanau Conservancy owns and manages part of the DeYoung Natural Area as a working farm. Located roughly 5 […]

Organic Farm Caretaker / Grower Starting December 2011 Connemara Farm in northeast lower Michigan is currently seeking an individual or couple to care take and/or manage a variety of sustainable agricultural endeavors on their farm, including: organic vegetables and poultry, orchard crops, and permaculture gardens.

Organic Farmer Training Program Michigan State University Student Organic Farm Now accepting applications for 2011 Cohort! The Organic Farmer Training Program offers nine months of intensive instruction in year-round organic farming.  The program focuses on diversified production of vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs for local markets.  Students manage all aspects of a 10-acre certified organic […]