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Come to the MIFFS Annual Meeting on March 4 and celebrate our 10 year anniversary!

February 27, 2008: Interested in local food systems and sustainable agriculture?  Looking for new marketing opportunities or production practices?  Come to the Michigan Food & Farming Systems – MIFFS Annual Meeting to network with other farmers in the state, meet the MIFFS team learn how you can be more involved in healthy and sustainable food systems in Michigan and celebrate our 10-year anniversary with us! Read the agenda...

The MIFFS Annual Meeting is set for March 4, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Conference Room 62, during Agriculture and Natural Resources Week at Michigan State University.  In addition to networking, hear about what MIFFS has done in the past year and decade and its plans for the future to help Michigan’s family farmers.

MIFFS is a statewide, nonprofit organization working to advance sustainable food and farming system practices that will improve Michigan’s triple-bottom line: local economy, environment and social well-being. It works to help Michigan agriculture and family farmers move forward through programs such as assisting family farmers, growing market opportunities, supporting agricultural stewardship, and informing and influencing public policy. 

Everyone who is passionate about local food, sustainable agriculture or food systems is invited to attend, and if you’re not a member, you’ll have the opportunity to join at the meeting.  MIFFS members receive the MIFFS Memo, our quarterly newsletter, and the MIFFS Membership Directory and are the first to hear about our great opportunities for scholarships, workshops and events.  They are also eligible the receive our special group rate that we share with the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) on liability insurance for farmers markets and farmers or vendors who sell at farmers markets.

At this year’s annual meeting, members will be voting on by-law changes which would potentially add new membership categories for students, seniors and farm families, in addition to the existing individual and organization options. 

Members will also be able to elect this year’s council members.  The slate includes: Keith Creagh of Williamston, Michael DiRamio (incumbent) of Ann Arbor, Cindy Dutcher (incumbent) of Goetzville, Tom Kalchik of Lansing, Kyle Kempster of Grand Haven, Doug Kirkpatrick (incumbent) of Herron, Lori Phalen of Hastings, Ron Steiner (incumbent) of Hart, and Nicholas Welty of Northport.  Dan Wyant is on the slate for approval to fill a vacant one-year seat on the council.  Read their candidate biographies.

This year, Adam Montri, MIFFS Hoophouse Project Manager and MSU Student Organic Farm Outreach Specialist, will engage members and attendees on how some Michigan farmers are using unheated hoophouses to grow produce with extended seasons and even year-round.  Come to learn more about hoophouses and get your questions answered about construction, production, marketing, profitability and more.

Please RSVP to the MIFFS Office at (517) 432-0712 if you plan to attend.

Click here to join!