Workshops & Webinars
Updated Weekly
Integrate Livestock into your Vegetable Crops
This question-and-answer session is a follow-up to a webinar NCAT hosted about integrated crop-livestock systems. Such systems may provide sustainable alternatives to terminate cover crops, reduce fertilizer, and improve the water cycle. Featured in this session are Montana specialty crop farmer Leon Stangl, Montana State University (MSU) research associate Devon Ragen and MSU graduate student Trestin Benson. Leon will share his story of success in integrating livestock on his farm and Devon and Trestin will discuss their ground-breaking research concerning integrating sheep on dryland cropping systems and vegetable specialty crops.
Please watch Leon’s video about work on his farm prior to this session. For more information contact NCAT agriculture specialist Dave Scott at or 406-490-7596.
Farming For Justice- Unpacking Race and Disability Injustices on the Land
Everyone, regardless of their race or ability, should have access to natural spaces that are safe and affirming. However, racism and ableism impacts people’s ability to connect with the land in various ways. It is critical that we use an intersectional lens when examining the natural spaces around us including the ones we have created and/or maintain. This presentation will make connections between racial and disability injustices as well as describe the work that needs to be done internally and externally to make sustainable change.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings Offered Online
The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety team will offer six FREE Online Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings this fall and winter.
Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
Economics, Justice, and Systems Thinking from the Soil Up
Join us for a conversation on soil health, economic justice, transition planning, and systems thinking with Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Robert Spiers of Spiers Farm, LLC., and Mike Phillips of Valley View Farms.
Ergonomic Safety For Farm Women
It is no secret - women are playing an increased role in production agriculture. They account for about one-third of the management, ownership and work on farms, ranches and in crop production. A major challenge continues to be access to protective equipment that meets the ergonomic needs of women. This program is intended to help women in rural/agricultural communities identify ergonomic issues leading to musculoskeletal injuries in farm and ranch work and discover resources to aid in injury prevention.
Chef Dave Smoke-McCluskey
sharing on Onon’onsera: Squash, The Shadey One
Join Mohawk Chef, Author, and Indigenous Foods Educator, Dave Smoke-McCluskey, for a third evening of engaged learning about Native culinary arts and foodways centered on the Three Sisters Manifesto. This virtual session focuses on Onon’onsera: Squash, The Shadey One.
Trends and Highlights of Ohio Farmers: Organic Sector Implications
The recent USDA Certified Organic Survey provided an overview of continued growth in organic agricultural production in Ohio and nationwide. Organic farmers were also an area of focus for the 2020 Ohio Farm Poll Study conducted this past year at Ohio State. On December 2, 2020, farm poll study leaders Douglas Jackson-Smith, Shoshanah Inwood, and Andrea Rissing will focus in on survey results for organic growers. Find out what this survey, and other available data, tell us about Ohio’s organic farming community. We’ll cover commodities, marketing strategies, and attitudes of this industry sector and see how they compare, in general, with Ohio’s conventional farm community on a variety of trends and characteristics.
Soil Health for Vegetable Farmers: Farmer-to-Farmer Conversations
Join four innovative farmers, UMN Extension, and Land Stewardship Project for a series of virtual gatherings to discuss soil-building practices with fellow vegetable farmers who are caring for their soils and their communities. Gatherings will include a short video highlighting farmers who are leading the way with innovative soil health practices, followed by Q&A, and a series of breakout discussions where participants can share their expertise and brainstorm soil health ideas with fellow farmers. Hmong interpretation will be provided.
For more information on each event, check out the flyer here:
Mentors, Markets, and Evolving Adaptation
A discussion of mentorship, business planning, finding markets, optimizing soil health volunteers, and continual adaptation with Anne Geyer of AgriBerry Farm & CSA, Danny Boyer of Four Winds Farm, and Phil Witmer of Grazeland Dairy, Inc.
Train the Trainer:
Cultivating a Health Mind
Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. The module showcases a high school agricultural student’s understanding of the agricultural mental health crisis, helping to frame mental health distress to academic and future career success.
Loan Preparation for New and Beginning Farmers-Online Series.
We kick off the series on Monday, December 7th where we will share the why, what, and how’s of being ready for financing. Our lender panel, featuring GreenStone Farm Credit Services, US Farm Service Agency, and Northern Initiatives, a Michigan Good Food Fund lender, will provide answers to questions about lending. In January, February, and March, the lenders will provide additional details on financing a farm. This series is offered at no-cost through the Michigan Good Food Fund, MSU Product Center, MSU Extension, and partners.
AMA with Rebecca Ryals, PhD.
In celebration of World Soil Day, please join the University of California, Merced for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Rebecca Ryals, PhD.
Becca is an Assistant Professor of Agroecology at the University of California, Merced. Her research program focuses on ecosystem-based climate solutions, particularly in agricultural and sanitation contexts. Her work investigates controls on and quantification of carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the impacts of management practices on climate change mitigation. A major research theme is the capture, transformation, and beneficial reuse of organic wastes as resources to restore soil health and contribute to a more productive and just food system.
Tap Your Potential: A Training to Grow Farmer Leadership in Watershed Management
Farmers are among our best stewards of soil and water resources, and their influence can extend even beyond the farm gate as leaders in local efforts to improve soil and water health. This training will help farmers tap their leadership potential and make a difference for their farms and communities. Through engaging presentations, discussions, and activities, participants will learn the basics of watershed management and how farmers can be proactive players in water quality solutions.
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo
For the past 19 years the Great Lakes Fruit Vegetable and Farm Market Expo has been held in in Grand Rapids. Because of this year’s unprecedented circumstances we are holding the event online! It will be an unforgettable event with industry partners.
Over three days, you will be able to visit with experts in our virtual tradeshow, network with other professionals, enjoy the awards program and poster sessions and take in the education program. The education program includes sessions on fruit crops, vegetable crops, other specialty crops, greenhouse crop production and marketing, farm marketing ideas and operations, farmers’ markets and organic production and marketing. There will also be sessions covering diversity of general interest topics, including food safety and labor.
Equity, Dignity, and Health in Food and Agriculture
Listen, learn, and be inspired by their agroecological stories, actions, and visions for community and systemic change with Renard Turner of Vanguard Ranch LTD., Jonathan McRay of Silver Run Forest Farm, and Janet Aardema of Broadfork Farm.
Food Supply Chain Innovators
This is the first webinar of NAFSN’s “Food Supply Chain Innovators” series. Carla Norwood, PhD, will share details of the ways in which Working Landscapes advances economic development, environmental resilience, and improved nutrition in the rural communities of Warren County, NC. Most of her work focuses on building stronger linkages between rural communities and nearby urban areas. Working Landscapes is a regional leader in aligning stakeholders and decision makers across the food supply chain to achieve health, economic and social equity goals. This multi-media webinar will provide ample opportunity for interactive learning from a boots-on-the-ground practitioner.
2020 Organic Science Roundup with The Organic Center
Come learn about the hottest science in the field of organic food and farming from 2020. This webinar brings together leading scientists from around the world to talk about where we’ve been and how far we’ve come in this challenging year. Hear about what studies have changed the industry, how COVID has changed the research landscape, and what we foresee for the scientific outlook for 2021.
Soil Farming, Pollinator Habitat, and Engaging with Community
Learn from the experiences and journeys into soil and water conservation, biodiversity, soil farming, and community outreach with Amy Hicks of Amy’s Organic Garden, CJ Isbell of Keenbell Farm and Gerald Garber of Cave View Farms.
Circular Economy in West Michigan
Join us for an online forum highlighting circular economy practices in West Michigan.
Mentor Toolkit Launch
Join us for an introduction to our new Mentor Training Toolkit. Learn from the authors about the strategies and resources available to improve your skills as a mentor/trainer of beginning farmers and ranchers.
Invest in Your Health: Cover Up! Head to Toe Personal Protective Equipment
Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and families of all ages – but injuries can be prevented if we use the right protective equipment for the job. This program will present an overview of common exposures in farming and ranching. Students can discuss those exposures and determine the appropriate protective gear for each scenario.
Divest from War through Farming, Permaculture, & Simple Living!
How do we tackle something as large as the twin threats of war and climate change? This unique webinar will explore the intersections between permaculture, farming, simple living, and anti-war activism. World BEYOND War's Organizing Director Greta Zarro, who is also a co-founder of Unadilla Community Farm, a non-profit organic farm and permaculture education center, will moderate this interesting discussion.
Building Networks that Support Health, Local Economies and Equity
The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, Kansas Health Foundation, North Carolina State University Center for Environmental Farming Systems, and KC Healthy Kids are offering a national webinar entitled Building food council networks that support health, local economies, and equity: Stories from Kansas, Michigan, and North Carolina. This webinar will share how Kansas, Michigan, and North Carolina have each developed robust local food (policy) council networks. These networks connect councils and local level coalitions to foster more equitable food systems that advance health and economic opportunity locally, regionally, and statewide. Presenters will discuss how they have leveraged partnerships to support more democratic action on local food, farming, and health issues and inform state policy.
The Local Food System Response to
COVID-19: Building Better Beyond
Webinar Series
Join us on the 3rd Monday of each month for facilitated cross-sectoral discussions on topics related to local food and COVID-19, such as customer retention and engagement, emergency food, cooperative business models, state policies, and consumer behavior. Next up, on December 21, we’ll be discussing emergency food and the local food system.
Michigan Farmers Market Association's 2021 Market Manager Certificate Program
MMCP is a voluntary program designed to encourage farmers market managers to pursue leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management.
The full program includes 12 webinars and a final presentation for a total of 32 educational hours in January and February 2021.
Online Produce Safety Course for Farm Supervisors
Michigan State University Extension recently announced a FREE, three-week produce safety training course designed specifically for farm supervisors.
Online Produce Safety Course for Farm Supervisors
Michigan State University Extension recently announced a FREE, three-week produce safety training course designed specifically for farm supervisors.
Growing Stronger: Collaborative Conference on Organic and Sustainable Farming
We’re joining forces to bring our communities together in one multi-day, multi-topic, must-see event! With 6 days of premium education packed with purposeful discussions, Growing Stronger will build your skills and nurture your passion for organic and sustainable farming. Registration opens Dec. 1.
Lean Farming Practices,
On this webinar, the MSU Product Center and Center for Regional Food Systems Troy Rice, CEO Farm Brigge, will share how Lean farming can increase farm profitability. Implementing Lean techniques may include, creating process maps, leading brainstorming sessions, identifying improvement areas, creating SOPs, and creating a plan for managing and sustaining an efficient farm with minimal waste.
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.