Workshops & Webinars
Updated Weekly
2020 Vision, A Black Walden Pond & Other Musings
Author of “Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors,” Dr. Carolyn Finney, will share her work on African Americans and environmental issues to consider this moment of racial reckoning and the creative responses to environmental and social challenges that are emerging.
Citizen Planner Macomb County 2021
Local officials have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in the New Economy can improve their quality of life and overall sustainability. The Citizen Planner Program empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.
Justice for Black Farmers: a Local Perspective
Tune in to listen to the lived experiences of these panelists and learn more about the efforts to change the systemic discrimination experienced by Black farmers in the United States.
Underground Innovations
The event features Michigan growers speaking about their experiences implementing new management approaches, national and international speakers sharing ideas that might work here, and presenters with opportunities to improve diversification of cropping systems. The event is intended to facilitate networking between link-minded growers and stakeholders, and while a virtual format makes that more challenging, the one advantage of this format is that ability to more easily include geographically distant attendees and speakers. One-flat price of $30 covers attendance at all three sessions.
2021 Michigan Virtual CSA Fair
Don't miss your chance to support your local Michigan Farmer by participating in a 2021 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program. CSAs are the best way to ensure that you have access to the finest quality, local products grown by local farmers that you know and trust.
Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) Grantsmanship Webinar
The Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) Grantsmanship Webinar will bring together 1994 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs), Hispanic Serving Agriculture Colleges and Universities, Tribal Organizations, Alaska Native-Serving and Native-Serving Hawaiian (ANNH) institutions, institutions in Insular Areas, and community-based organizations serving socially disadvantaged groups. The FSOP webinar is appropriate for cooperative extension specialists; community educators; 1994, 1890, HSACU, and ANNH administrators; leaders from Tribal organizations; and staff from community-based organizations that serve socially disadvantaged groups. Underrepresented groups that have not applied to the FSOP or have a low funding success rate are encouraged to participate in the webinar. The FSOP webinar will provide: (1) an FSOP overview to participants, (2) participatory sessions for attendees to identify and share barriers to applying for funding and (3) grant writing essentials and other relevant information for effective grantsmanship. This webinar will inform the preparation of future workshops that the FSOP team will tailor to individual groups.
2021 Michigan Virtual CSA Fair
Don't miss your chance to support your local Michigan Farmer by participating in a 2021 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program. CSAs are the best way to ensure that you have access to the finest quality, local products grown by local farmers that you know and trust.
The Wendell Berry Farming Program of Sterling College
In Henry County, Kentucky, the Wendell Berry Farming Program of Sterling College offers a tuition-free junior and senior year curriculum. Inspired by the lifework of farmer and writer Wendell Berry, and designed in partnership with The Berry Center, in New Castle, Kentucky, the program serves undergraduate students from Kentucky and elsewhere who intend to farm. In combination with previously-earned credits, students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from Sterling College, a federally-recognized Work College.
Michigan Farmers Markets Conference
This virtual conference focuses on bringing together the numerous individuals necessary to create and support a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products in Michigan including market managers, farmers, vendors, volunteers, non-profit and municipal employees, as well as an array of persons involved in local food systems work. Engaging educational sessions, roundtable discussions, as well as networking and exhibitor opportunities will offer up-to-date information on timely topics related to farmers market cultivation and management.
Discovering Resilience: A Legal Workshop for Farmers and Ranchers
Discovering Resilience is a Farm Commons workshop that helps farmers and ranchers build legal resilience for their farm or ranch.
Improving Wheat Production Income
Growers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in a series of six online programs addressing field crop production and pest management on Monday evenings February 15 through March 22, 2021. Participants will learn how to enhance their corn, soybean and small grain production systems in the coming season and have an opportunity to ask questions of university agricultural experts. The theme for this year's series is Management Decisions that Pay., and each session will focus on the economics of various crop, pest and marketing management strategies.
Michigan Farmers Markets Conference
This virtual conference focuses on bringing together the numerous individuals necessary to create and support a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products in Michigan including market managers, farmers, vendors, volunteers, non-profit and municipal employees, as well as an array of persons involved in local food systems work. Engaging educational sessions, roundtable discussions, as well as networking and exhibitor opportunities will offer up-to-date information on timely topics related to farmers market cultivation and management.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
Be Food Safe and Ready for Emergencies- Handling Stress During a Farm Emergency
Resources and tools for managing your farm stress in an emergency.
Do You Think Your Property Value is Too High?
Participants will learn the purpose of their local Board of Review and how it works. Participants will also learn the components of what makes for a good appeal to the Board of Review and the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Michigan Farmers Markets Conference
This virtual conference focuses on bringing together the numerous individuals necessary to create and support a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products in Michigan including market managers, farmers, vendors, volunteers, non-profit and municipal employees, as well as an array of persons involved in local food systems work. Engaging educational sessions, roundtable discussions, as well as networking and exhibitor opportunities will offer up-to-date information on timely topics related to farmers market cultivation and management.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
Starting Out Your Farm Business DIY
This workshop is for anyone who wants to put their visions, ideas, and goals into a business project. In this workshop, Lucy will share free business planning resources, ways to register an LLC, and her favorite free marketing and record keeping tools.
Owning Your Power: A First Step to Organizing for Policy Change
If you are interested in affecting policy change for a just and sustainable farm future, but don’t know where to start or how to start, join us to take some first steps in organizing your thoughts and your community around a policy campaign. We will discuss how to recognize the power you already hold and leave you with a hands on tool for you and your peers to keep the conversation going.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
Citizen Planner Macomb County 2021
Local officials have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in the New Economy can improve their quality of life and overall sustainability. The Citizen Planner Program empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.
Supporting Farmer Adoption and Data Tracking
Big River Farms and AgSquared have partnered to create a series of new app-based record-keeping tools to help farmers of color, immigrant farmers, and other beginning growers keep the records needed for organic certification and to better understand their farm businesses.
This project is funded by a Conservation Innovation Grant from NRCS, and specifically aims to help farmers make records more useful, regardless of language spoken or whether or not they have reliable computer access. The project also aims to provide a new tool for incubator farms and other farmer service providers to teach effective record-keeping and to more easily communicate with farmers regarding records kept, pest and disease monitoring and control, and other data.
Live Q&A with Executive Producers of Al Alcance de la Mano
In collaboration with the Michigan Theater, SFSI is hosting a live Q&A with the Executive Producers of Al Alcance de la Mano on March 5, 2021 at 5 PM EST. This film details the work of two University of Michigan alumni, Dr. Helda Morales and Dr. Bruce Ferguson, who teach agroecological concepts through their work with school gardens in Chiapas, Mexico. Their work values both academic school knowledge and community local knowledge to bring together food, science, learning, and community.
A Property Owner's Guide to Understanding Michigan Property Taxes
Participants will learn the meaning of Tax Day and how property is valued by your local assessor. Participants will also learn the five different values for each property and the purposes of each as well as how local mileages are determined.
Do You Think Your Property Value is Too High?
Participants will learn the purpose of their local Board of Review and how it works. Participants will also learn the components of what makes for a good appeal to the Board of Review and the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Soil Health Innovations Conference
The Soil Health Innovations Conference will bring together producers, industry professionals, educators, and students who are at the cutting edge of soil health across the country, including on-farm practices, soil biology, carbon markets, and public policy. Join us for a far-reaching exploration of agriculture’s sustainable future.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
Weed Control—Effective Options for Tough Weeds at Different Price Points
Growers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in a series of six online programs addressing field crop production and pest management on Monday evenings February 15 through March 22, 2021. Participants will learn how to enhance their corn, soybean and small grain production systems in the coming season and have an opportunity to ask questions of university agricultural experts. The theme for this year's series is Management Decisions that Pay., and each session will focus on the economics of various crop, pest and marketing management strategies.
Soil Health Innovations Conference
The Soil Health Innovations Conference will bring together producers, industry professionals, educators, and students who are at the cutting edge of soil health across the country, including on-farm practices, soil biology, carbon markets, and public policy. Join us for a far-reaching exploration of agriculture’s sustainable future.
What’s Next? Chartering a Path Forward for Food Security for Our Community
The Food Security Summit is a six-part virtual series aiming to create space for people to learn about needs and resources and explore a shared understanding and a common vision to address regional food insecurity and hunger in the greater Grand Traverse region. It strives to create additional public awareness through sharing data and stories of care, resiliency, and change, and to highlight a whole-community issue that is rapidly increasing in severity with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
The Agroecological City: Sovereignty, Resilience, & the Future of Food
Welcome to the 2021 Agroecological City event! Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems.
Citizen Planner Macomb County 2021
Local officials have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in the New Economy can improve their quality of life and overall sustainability. The Citizen Planner Program empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.
Virtual Armed to Farm:
Sustainable Agriculture Training for Military Veterans
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is offering a virtual version of its popular sustainable agriculture training program for military veterans, Armed to Farm. NCAT is moving the training online to make it accessible during COVID-19 restrictions. Veterans who want to attend the Virtual Armed to Farm training, which will take place in six sessions during April and May, can apply online until March 12, 2021. Virtual Armed to Farm will cover topics essential to farm success, including business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, and USDA programs, as well as specific enterprise discussions. Virtual Armed to Farm will include an engaging blend of interactive online instruction and video farm tours via Zoom. Participants will be expected to be involved in virtual activities, complete assignments, and interact with other attendees. Virtual Armed to Farm topics will be applicable to all U.S. beginning farmers, regardless of location. Military veterans interested in farming are encouraged to apply.
MSU Tollgate Farm Home Gardening Series: Seed-Starting for Everyone
Are you interested in starting a vegetable garden for the first time or are you an experienced veggie gardener looking to explore new ideas? All levels of experience are welcome at this new series designed to encourage and support home vegetable gardeners!