MSU Extension Beginning Farmer

Organic Agriculture

• Irrigation on Small Farms

  Getting started with irrigation on small farms.

• Compost Production and Use for Small and Mid-sized Farms

  The basics of compost production and use for the small and mid-sized farm

• Transitioning to organic

  Published on March 28, 2016
  Gearing up to transition to organic agriculture.

• Organic Field Crops

  Getting started with organic field crops.

• Organic Certification

  Getting started with USDA organic certification.

• Cover Crops in Organic Vegetable Rotations

  Getting started with cover crops in organic vegetable rotations

• Organic Vegetable Pest Control Webinar

  Getting started with organic vegetable pest control.

• Plant-based Enterprises Webinar

  Getting started with plant-based enterprises webinar.

• Small farm machinery and organic production presentations for beginning farmers archived

  Published on December 16, 2015
  Presentations on small farm machinery and organic crop production topics for people new to agriculture are available online and are free for viewing.

• Small farm business and marketing presentations for beginning farmers archived

  Published on December 16, 2015
  Presentations on a variety of marketing options and business basics for people new to agriculture are available online and free for viewing.

• Resources for veteran careers in agriculture

  Published on December 8, 2015
  Educational resources providing valuable information to veterans seeking agriculture-based careers are now available.

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  MIFF’s Women in Agriculture Network Farm Development Center in the Flint area

  Published on December 7, 2015
  An innovative partnership with a Flint area hospital system and Michigan Food and Farming Systems to support women who are beginning a farming business by providing a place where they can receive education and development to achieve viable farming careers.

• Urban agriculture learning from CR Drew farm in Detroit: Part 1

  Published on November 25, 2015
  MSU Extension educators joined with Detroit Public Schools, Office of School Nutrition and Eastern Market Corporation, to establish an urban farm focused on providing healthy food for students and developing an agricultural production workforce.

• Getting started with soil improvement: An overview for beginners – Part 2

  Published on January 31, 2014
  New farmers should have a clear understanding of fertilizers and soil amendments, both conventional and organic.

• Getting started with soil improvement: An overview for beginners – Part 1

  Published on January 28, 2014
  New farmers can benefit from careful assessment of their farm’s soils and planning for crop rotations and use of cover crops.

• Dependable information for beginning farmers – where can it be found?

  Published on December 30, 2013
  Research-based information sources are a good place to start.

• Grant funding for growers -- Part II

  Published on March 16, 2013
  While not plentiful, grant opportunities for growers do exist. Here is a brief list of grants offered to Michigan growers.

• Organic information availability expanding

  Published on April 12, 2012
  Sources of organic production and marketing information are readily available from numerous e-newsletters, websites, and a network of resource people.

• Is Organic Right for My Farm?

  Learn from a panel of farmers who are currently certified organic, or have been in the past, about their decisions to certify.

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  Southeast Michigan Small Farm Needs Assessment

  MSU Extension experts launched a comprehensive assessment to better understand programmatic needs of Southeast Michigan’s small farm population. Their results are outlined in this document.