MSU Extension Beginning Farmer

Farm Business

• Soil Fertility for 2024

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Kurt Steinke, MSU soil fertility and nutrient management specialist, discussing soil fertility recommendations for 2024.

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  Dig into sustainable farm innovations with a search tool and map of SARE grant projects

  Published on April 9, 2024
  Find hundreds of SARE grants funded in Michigan and thousands nationally.

• Wheat Insights for 2024

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist, discussing wheat insights for 2024.

• Repairing Damaged Fields

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Ian McDonald, crop innovations specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, discussing soil compaction and wet harvest recovery.

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  Educational session recordings for Beginning Farmers now available from MI Ag Ideas to Grow With

  Published on March 26, 2024
  Did you miss the live session? Recordings are now available to view!

• Field Crops Webinar: Weed control in Field Crops and Forages

  Dr. Kim Cassida and Dr. Erin Burns discuss weed control challenges in field crops and forages.

• Early Season Weed Control

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Christy Sprague, MSU Extension weed specialist, discussing early season weed control.

• Field Crops Webinar: Opportunities and Challenges of Disease Management: White Mold In Soybeans and Tar Spot in Corn

  Plant Pathologists Marty Chilvers from MSU and Albert Tenuta from OMAFRA discuss the opportunities and challenges of disease management in field crops.

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  Field days, workshops and webinars for farmers transitioning to organic

  Published on March 14, 2024
  Sign up now to visit an organic farm or learn from organic farmers.

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  Grants for training farm educators and graduate student research

  Published on March 14, 2024
  Grant-writing support is available free of charge for all six North Central SARE grants and for Michigan SARE mini-grants.

• Field Crops Webinar: Dry Bean Production Agronomics and Market Considerations

  MSU Dry Bean Specialist Scott Bales and Justin Edwards with Ackerman Marketing discuss dry bean agronomics for Michigan farmer. Justin Edwards discusses marketing considerations for dry bean markets providing a global outlook and variety-specific analysis.

• Field Crops Webinar: Turning Weather-Related Challenges to Agronomic Management Opportunities

  Dr. Manni Singh, MSU Cropping Cropping Systems Agronomist, and Dr. Jeff Andresen, MSU Climatologist, discuss recent weather trends and how producers can approach and adapt their production to create agronomic management opportunities in their production systems.

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  MSU Extension launches new homepage for DEMaND Series

  Published on February 29, 2024
  A collection of resources to help in Developing and Educating Managers and New Decision-makers (DEMaND) on the farm.

• Farm Budgets: Growing Your Farm into a Business (2024)

  How important is a business mindset and farm profits to your opportunities for growth and success? Join as we discuss how attention to details and effective planning can help your farm continue its growth into a successful business.

• Soil Health for Beginners: Caring for Your Farm from the Ground Up

  Soil health is a critical part of farming. If you are new to farming or new to the land, this is a perfect time to make a long-term plan. Discover approaches to learn about your soil and how to support better crop production.

• Field Crops Webinar: What Can Beneficial Nematodes Tell Us About Soil Health?

  Dr. Christine Sprunger and MSU Doctoral Researcher Tvisha Martin, discuss beneficial nematodes and how this organism is involved with soil and agricultural production.

• Beyond the Farmers Market: Evaluating Direct Market Channel Opportunities

  Where are you selling, or planning to sell your products? How do you make these decisions? We’ll talk about perceptions, realities, pros and cons of farmers markets, farm markets, CSAs, restaurant sales, institutional markets and more!

• Lo que la Extension de MSU puede hacer por usted

  Extension tiene presencia en todo el estado, pero se la considera uno de los secretos mejor guardados de Michigan. ¿Qué es Extension y qué puede hacer por usted? Conozca una breve historia de Extensión Cooperativa y los recursos disponibles a través de MSU Extension.

• What MSU Extension Can Do For You!

  Extension has a presence across the state, yet it’s been called one of the best kept secrets in Michigan. What is Extension and what can it do for you? Learn a brief history of Cooperative Extension and the resources available through MSU Extension.

• Brainstorming farm goals… & how to make them happen!

  Join this interactive workshop to brainstorm goals for your farm, evaluate those goals as SMART goals and/or HEART goals, and think through how to make your goals into a timeline, vision board or reminder to inspire you every day to follow your intention.