Workshops & Webinars

July to December 2021: OEFFA Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series

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Spread your wings this summer with workshops to help you start and grow your farm business, video replays which give you a taste of the OEFFA conference, and farm tours featuring Ohio’s community of inspiring, sustainable farmers!
The 2021 OEFFA Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series features 10 recorded presentations from the 2021 OEFFA conference, four on-farm tours, and two workshop series designed to help early career farmers build legal resilience and established farmers transfer their land.

Monday Fruit IPM Webinars

June 14, 2021, 9:30:00 PM

Fruit integrated pest management (IPM) meetings are held for fruit growers in southwest Michigan nearly every Monday from early April through the end of June. Michigan State University Extension Educators Mark Longstroth, Bill Shane, and Mike Reinke will share their results from scouting orchards, vineyards and fields of small fruit with area growers to keep them up to date on emerging developments in the area. Faculty and specialists from MSU will provide timely information on selected fruit topics.

Michigan Cottage Food Law

June 15, 2021, 6:00:00 PM

Learn how to prepare and sell foods to the public under Michigan’s Cottage Food Law. This two-hour workshop combines education about the Michigan Cottage Food Law and the food safety aspects of preparing and selling cottage foods safely and successfully. Michigan Cottage Food Law allows residents to manufacture foods in home kitchens and storing those products at home. Topics include preparing, packaging, labeling, storing, and transporting cottage foods.

Understanding Federal Milk Marketing Orders and Current Dairy Risk Management Tools

June 16, 2021, 4:00:00 PM

This webinar will unpack the arcane terminology and process surrounding the administration of current FMMOs. It will explain in simple terms how the value of all milk ‘pooled’ in a FMMO’s designated marketing area, regardless of the products into which it is made (‘utilization’), is shared by its producers via the establishment of a uniform blended price. In addition, the common criticisms of present FMMO administration will be highlighted and explored.

Solarization and Biosolarization: Harnessing the Sun and Organic Matter to Control Weeds

June 16, 2021, 5:00:00 PM

Biosolarization is a new innovation in the realm of weed control. Different from the commonly known practice of solarization, which uses clear plastic sheeting on moist soil to thermally terminate a variety of pest species, biosolarization includes the use of organic matter in the form of compost, cover crops, manure or other materials such as pomace or nut hulls. The addition of organic matter can accelerate the process by encouraging anaerobic soil disinfestation. The carbon from organic material produces chemicals with bio-pesticidal activity. The combination of these natural chemicals and heat acts like a fumigant and eliminates soil-borne pests and weed species. This presentation will cover theoretical concepts as well as results from field trials.

Farming After Dark

June 17, 2021, 1:30:00 AM

Pollinators and beneficial insects play an essential role in the ecosystem. Pollinators are responsible for a high percentage of the foods we have available. There is a growing concern that the number of insect species, in recent years, have been declining at an alarming rate. Take a little time out of your busy schedule to learn about these important creatures! Join us on June 16, 2021, at 8:30 PM to learn about the Pollinators in our Ohio Backyards!

MSU Virtual Breakfast

June 17, 2021, 11:00:00 AM

MSU Extension specialists and educators are teaming up to bring agribusiness professionals and farmers a series of “Virtual Breakfast” meetings. These free, 30-minute online meetings will start your day off right with presentations on timely topics on crop and pest management and a weather summary and forecast.

Compost on the Farm

June 17, 2021, 5:00:00 PM

Santa Rosa Junior College's Sustainable Agriculture program, Shone Farm and the Sonoma Resource Conservation District invite the agriculture community to a free webinar focused on making and using compost on farms.

National Webinar about COVID-19 Disruptions to Food Supply Chains

June 17, 2021, 6:00:00 PM

A multi-region, multi-institution research and outreach team investigating the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural systems will host a free webinar those engaged in the food supply chain. This hour-long webinar is part of the Lessons from COVID-19: Positioning Regional Food Supply Chains for Future Pandemics, Natural Disasters and Human-made Crises project. The webinar will include a brief introduction of team members, a holistic project overview, survey tools used and example questions from the first survey, preliminary data from an environmental scan of available resources and insights from prior assessments of the impacts of COVID-19 on the Florida food system. Because this project is in its early phases, webinar participants will also learn how they, along with their stakeholders, can participate in the research through upcoming questionnaires. This webinar is the first of a 4-part series, with the remaining webinars taking place on 6/17/21, 11/18/21 and 4/21/22

Nourishing Life Conference June 18-19

June 18, 2021, 4:00:00 AM

Nourishing Life will inspire and inform healthcare providers, curious farmers, and concerned community members with action steps for their personal and professional lives, their communities, and our world. Be an agent of change in your community. Please join us as we rejoin with nature and our ancestors in the cycle of Nourishing Life.

DETROIT BLACK FARMER LAND FUND JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

June 19, 2021, 2:00:00 PM

Join us Saturday, June 19th 2021 at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm as we kick-off another year of fundraising for the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund.
Last year we were able to raise $65,000.00 to ensure that 30 black farmers in Detroit were able to purchase land. With your support we surpassed our goals and expectations. This year we are opening the grant process to 40 black farmers.
Why is this important?
Black farmers in Detroit face increased barriers to land ownership rendering many growers unable to purchase the property some have been growing on for years. This is land that they grow produce to serve neighbors, families, and the community as a whole.
This year we are kicking off the Black Farmers Land Fund Campaign with a Juneteenth celebration full of fun, food, festivities.
The days event will feature food prepared by Chef Elle Simone Scott and Chef Q , Live Music from Detroit's own Mollywop, Oakland Avenue Urban Farmers Market and Artisan vendors, Black Bottom Garden Center, Youth Activities, and much more...

June 21-27: Take Part in Pollinator Week!

June 21, 2021, 4:00:00 AM

Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It's a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved any way you like! Popular events include planting for pollinators, hosting socially distant garden tours, participating in online bee and butterfly ID workshops, and so much more.

Cultivating Local Farm Economies: Agritourism and Value-Added Processing

June 21, 2021, 5:00:00 PM

Webinars will feature speakers from MSU Extension’s Land Use and Community Food Systems Teams as well as testimonials from farmers who have successfully navigated the local planning and zoning environment to ensure successful agritourism ventures. This series is intended for many different audiences including local planning and zoning professionals and board members, new and existing agritourism operators, local tourism promoters and professionals and anyone else with an interest in this timely and relevant topic.

Produce Prescription Programs Then & Now: Implications for Health & Systems Improvement

June 21, 2021, 6:00:00 PM

Come join an interactive webinar to learn first-ever findings and recommendations on research of U.S. produce prescription programs from 2010 - 2020. This new report and interactive maps were commissioned by Wholesome Wave and prepared by DAISA Enterprises. In addition to research highlights, invited speakers will share insights on field context and evolution, and opportunities to advance equity, program, and policy aims.

GRP Gathering #5: Don't Get Overwhelmed!

June 21, 2021, 10:00:00 PM

These great community conversations continue this month with experienced GRP growers who will provide some insight about what to do when plans are delayed, weeds are creeping in and you aren't quite as far along with the garden as you'd envisioned. Don't give up! We're here to support you!
New to the GRP? We'll also have a quick overview of the GRP and all the opportunities available through the program!
All GRP members are welcome to join! We especially hope to see community gardens in attendance. Bring your questions, ideas, and experience to contribute to the conversation. Whether you are an experienced community gardener or just getting started, we hope you'll glean something new to inspire you create and expand your community garden!