Michigan 2019-20 SARE State Plan of Work

There have been no learning and action outcomes or impact from this initiative in 2019. 

In 2020, the two events we participated in resulted in survey responses from 7 individuals of the 15 participants we engaged. Those individuals reported the following learning outcomes:

• 100% learned something new about biological control tactics in livestock systems
• 57% planned on implementing a biological control tactic presented on their own farm

• Mini-grants (2019) for:
  • Food System Plan National Convening Conference
    • A total of 70 people participated in the convening, which included five funders and representatives from 24 states and regions.
    • The convening evaluation survey (National Convening Report_v2) was completed by 36 representatives from twenty states and two regions for a 51% response rate.
    • Half (18, 50%) of survey respondents indicated that they are currently implementing a food systems plan. Several (4, 11%) respondents reported that they do not currently have a food systems plan, and another 4 (11%) are beginning conversations to develop a food systems plan. Another two people (6%) said that they have a food systems plan but are not currently implementing it. Of the 8 people who indicated “other,” four (11%) of them are in the process of developing a “2.0 plan,” (the second phase of the food system plan, after the timeline of the initial plan has expired) two of them are working towards a vision, and two of them have a vision, but no plan.
    • Almost all respondents agreed that they planned to contact someone who they met at the convening in the hopes of finding a way to collaborate, including 81% who strongly agreed and 14% who agreed. One person disagreed with this statement and one person strongly disagreed.
    • For many (9, 25%) respondents, one of the biggest takeaways from the convening related to themes of racial equity and justice.

• Travel scholarships (2019) for:
  • WISEWOMAN Farm Conference Support
    • The women attended many different sessions, but their favorite by far was the session on the 2018 Farm Bill. They had no idea that there were so many resources out there that could potentially help them improve their farming and gardening operations.
  • Two scholarships for participants from the Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) non-profit to attend the National Farm Viability Conference.
    • Received templates and learned about best practices from technical assistance providers across the country.
    • Learned about available curriculum for helping farmers with land access.
    • Learned about farm viability programs (nonprofit, government, etc) from across the country and are planning to develop a farm viability working group in 2020.
    • This was the best professional development conference I have ever participated in. It offered powerful networking and learning opportunities fostering strategies to bring innovative new programming to Michigan as well as opportunities to share the excellent work already taking place in the state through collaborations with our partners.
    • MIFFS identified new partners to collaborate in developing an environmental scan of existing statewide farm viability initiatives in other states and their funding strategies, to compile a report that can be used to draw support and replicate a collaborative statewide initiative in Michigan.
    • It provided a library of resources, curricula and innovative tools to support accessing Capital to support sustainable farm business development & growth. These will be shared through MIFFS social media, website and outreach events.
    • It provided meaningful opportunities to discuss equity & social justice in the food system and developed alliances to share resources and support with similar organizations in Minnesota and other states. As a result MIFFS is committed to partnering with similar organizations, especially Hmong American Farmer Association and Latino Economic Development Center to share programming, replicate technical assistance models and share resources that will strengthen and enhance services available to historically underserved sustainable agriculture and immigrant communities farming in MI.
    • Pakou Hang of Hmong American Farmer Association was recruited as the keynote speaker for the MI Family Farms Conference 2020. Personal invitations to participate in the conference were accepted by leadership of many organizations in the NC SARE region.
  • One scholarship for a participant from the SE Michigan Producers Association (SEMPA) non-profit to attended the National Conference on Outreach and Agriculture Development.
    • Learning outcomes include 1) networking with organizations with similar objectives, 2) identifying existing and new resources available to improve our programs, 3) obtain knowledge from case studies of programs utilizing resources, and 4) learn about the emerging issues in performing agriculture outreach.
• Travel Scholarships (2020) for:
  • WISEWOMAN Farm Conference Support
    • Five women attended a number of different sessions, which provided them with information to improve their farming and gardening as well as assist in mentoring other gardeners.

• Mini-grants (2019) for:
  • Agroforestry Professional Development Opportunity for Natural Resource Professionals in Michigan
    • Two Silvopasture Train the Trainer Workshops were held in Harrison (Mid-Michigan Community College) and Chatham, MI (U.P. Research and Extension Center).
    • The workshops were attended by 67 people in total; 40 at the Harrison location and 27 at the location in Chatham with participants from 36 different Michigan counties.
    • At the end of each workshop, participants were asked to complete an evaluation of the program. The evaluation was completed by sixty-two of the sixty-seven participants. The event is summarize here (Survey results for JEAN minigrant).
    • When asked how the workshop affected their knowledge of the subject, eighty-seven percent reported an increase in knowledge, with fifty-six percent of those reporting their knowledge increased a great deal as opposed to moderately. Participants reported that prior to the workshop forty-seven percent were not likely to recommend silvopasture or agroforestry techniques, while 53 percent reported that it was somewhat or very likely. However, eighty-eight percent reported that their likelihood of recommending the techniques increased as a result of attending the program (18% increased slightly, 35% increased moderately and 35% increased a great deal).
  • MSU Vegetable Team Summer Tour
    • The tour was attended by 15 participants including Extension educators, specialists and graduate students.
    • The outcomes were expanded knowledge of Michigan vegetable production and improved team cohesion
    • This program provided a seamless experience for participants.
    • It was especially exciting to have graduate students attend the tour allowing them to see new areas of Michigan agriculture, hear about grower issues, and see the work extension does.
    • This program helps cultivate the next generation of extension educators and specialists.
  • Michigan Organic Food and Farming Association (MOFFA) Organic Intensives 2019
    • More than 100 people attended and participated in in-depth educational sessions on one of four topics: Healthy Organic Livestock (with an emphasis on small ruminants (18), Organic Mushroom Production (31), Emerging Technology in Organic Row Crop Production (15), and Advanced Organic Soil Management (37).
    • Participants were asked to evaluate their experience
      at the end of the day, and 84% responded, the event summary is here (OI2019-General-Report-final Biernbaum).
    • Close to 40% of those returning evaluations said they were MOFFA members, and an additional 13% were not, but said that they plan to join. Just under half of the participants were farmers, 19% represented a food or farm related business or non-profit organization, 13% identified as organic gardeners, 6% were educators (including MSUE and Conservation District personnel), and 10% were students.
• Mini-grants (2020) for:
  • Michigan Organic Food and Farming Association (MOFFA) Organic Intensives 2020
    • Seventy-six people attended and participated in
      in-depth educational sessions on one of three topics: Successful Biological Orcharding (41), Organic No-Till Farming (19), and Local Organic Herbs for Health (16).
    • Participants were asked to evaluate their experience
      at the end of the day, and 83% responded, the event summary is here (MOFFA Organic Intensives Report - 2020).
    • Just under half of those registered identified as farmers, 18% identified as gardeners, 18% represented a food or farm related business or non-profit organization, 12% were educators (including MSUE and Conservation District personnel), and the remaining 5% fell into other categories.
  • MSUE, Beginning Grazing School online in 2020
    • The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Forage and Grazing team to conduct the traditional face-to-face school. It was moved completely to a virtual setting and offer eight topics in 1.5-hour blocks two times per week during the month of October.
    • This program was attended by 69 participants including participation by 7 educators. The summary and evaluation for the program is here (2020 Virtual Beginning Grazing School Evaluation Final).
    • This mini-grant supported the purchase of educational materials mailed to participants including the MCCC Cover Crops Field Guide and the Purdue Forage Guide.
• Travel scholarships (2019) for:
  • How to Teach Soil Health Conference by the Soil Health Nexus
    • Know how the Soil Health Nexus defines soil health.
    • Be able to conduct demonstrations that show effects of soil health practices.
    • Be able to make research-based recommendations that promote soil health and are economical, based on field assessments and current management practices.
    • Suite of tools to teach growers to evaluate for compaction, aggregation OM etc.
  • International Symposium on Vegetable Grafting
    • I learned about rootstock and scion compatibility, healing, and yield/quality effects from these technologies.
    • I also expanded by network of industry professionals who supply materials and equipment for the practice.
• Speaker travel scholarships (2019) for:
  • Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference
    • This program makes it possible to bring in keynote speaker from out of state.
    • Increase knowledge of sustainable and improved production practices.
  • Great Lakes Hops and Barley Conference
    • Increased knowledge and intent to improve sustainability of farming operations.
    • Specifically, we hosted John Taberna (Western Labs) to discuss soil and plant nutrient testing recommendations. (see Impact Report, 2019 GLHBC Report).
• Travel scholarships (2020) for:
  • 2020 Midwest Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting and Conference
    • Participants increase their knowledge of cover crop practices and research around the Midwest.
    • Networking opportunities were invaluable for future cover crop and soil health programming.
  • 2020 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference
    • Participant appreciated this professional development opportunity to gain new knowledge in cropping systems and practices.
  • Craft Malting Conference
    • Opportunity to bridge the gap between farmers, maltsters, brewers and distillers.
    • Learned about the sustainability measurements for future barley and rye growth in Michigan.
    • Sustainability is an important measure to consider in order for malting barley to succeed in Michigan in the future.
• Speaker travel scholarships (2020) for:
  • Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference
    • This program makes it possible to bring in keynote speaker from out of state.
    • Increase knowledge of sustainable and improved production practices with the uncertainties of 2020.