Educational Opportunities

Finding financial Success in Uncertain Times Self-Paced | Online

The D2L course “Finding Financial Success in Uncertain Times” is designed to help producers identify the uncertainties that exist within the farm business and how to achieve financial success through planning for and reacting to that uncertainty. The course provides a roadmap for the journey ahead and helpful information will be available at several stops along the way. Learn more and register here.

Agritourism Summit and Pre-Summit Farm Tour May 7- 8 in Traverse City, MI.

Recognizing the importance and value of agritourism to the state of Michigan, MSU Extension and its partners are excited to announce the inaugural Agritourism Summit and Pre-Summit Farm Tour. Register here.

Heroes to Hives Beekeeping Workshop May 7 4 - 5 pm in Lansing, MI. Join Michigan State University (MSU) for one or more Heroes to Hives beekeeping workshops. The hands-on session will cover hive handling, colony inspection, and seasonal beekeeping management. Beekeeping workshops for Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty and National Guard members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their adult children, spouses, partners, & caregivers.

Members of Great Plains Master Beekeeping can count this workshop toward field training hours. Register here.

Beekeeping Workshop May 7 6 - 7:30 pm in Lansing, MI. Join Michigan State University Extension for an in-hive beekeeping workshop on honey bee colony health inspections and seasonal management. Registration is $20.00 per participant. If the registration fee poses a financial hardship, please email Ana Heck at [email protected] to inquire about a fee reduction/waiver. Fee waivers are available to all students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Register here.

Beekeeping Workshop May 14 in Novi, MI. Join Michigan State University Extension for an in-hive beekeeping workshop on honey bee colony health inspections and seasonal management. Registration is $20.00 per participant. If the registration fee poses a financial hardship, please email Ana Heck at [email protected] to inquire about a fee reduction/waiver. Fee waivers are available to all students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Register here.

Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) Training May 18 9 am - 4 pm in Imlay City, MI. Registration begins at 8:30 am, training begins at 9 am. On May 18, 2024, the MSU Extension ERAIL Team will host an in-person, hands-on training focused on increasing the awareness and skill set of first responders, law enforcement officials and others that may be involved in the response to an accident involving animals. This training will develop or refine the skills needed for responders to accident scenes. It is expected that participants will come from varied professions and backgrounds, making this training experience robust and beneficial for all. Register here.

Michigan Cottage Food Law May 20 2 pm - 4 pm Online

Learn how to prepare and sell foods to the public under Michigan’s Cottage Food Law. This two-hour workshop combines education about the Michigan Cottage Food Law and the food safety aspects of preparing and selling cottage foods safely and successfully. Michigan Cottage Food Law allows residents to manufacture foods in home kitchens and storing those products at home. Topics include preparing, packaging, labeling, storing, and transporting cottage foods. Learn more and register here.

Colony Necropsy & Taking Varroa Seriously May 28 7-8:30 pm in Alma, MI. Join Middle of the Mitten Beekeepers Association's meeting for a presentation on Colony Necropsy & Taking Varroa Seriously by Ana Heck. Register here.

Save the Date - Audobon Great Lakes Advocacy Day at Michigan State Capitol (Lansing, MI) - June 4

Are you ready to turn your passion for birds into action? Mark your calendars for Audubon Great Lakes Advocacy Day and luncheon at the Michigan State Capitol, a special day of action that will bring together Audubon members from across the state to speak up for bird-friendly policies. Whether you’re a first-time advocate or a seasoned pro, your voice as a constituent carries important weight. At Advocacy Day, you’ll meet with elected officials and their staff at the Michigan State Capitol, alongside policy experts, to share the importance of protecting birds. No previous advocacy experience is required and virtual training will be provided to attendees prior to the event. RSVP here.

Soil and Composting Field Day June 8 in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI. Learn about soils and composting from two different farm systems in a single day! Van transportation between farms will be provided.

Green Things Farm Collective 3825 Nixon Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (9 am – 12 pm), Sanctuary Farms 3171 Lakeview St., Detroit, MI 48215 (1 pm – 4 pm). Register here.

Save the Date – National Urban Agriculture Conference in Detroit, MI – August 4-6

Connect with USDA organizations and a diverse group of professionals whose work focuses on developing and strengthening urban agriculture initiatives in their communities. Learn about the transformative work being undertaken by the NUAg Initiative cooperating organizations that is aimed to “bridge the gap” for government programs across the United States and help build a sustainable future for urban food systems. The conference will take place at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan. Registration opening spring 2024.

*Please note that there is a cheaper lodging option across the street from the convention center, click here to check their rates.

**We have been informed that conference registration will be upwards of $175 which we feel is extremely prohibitive and inappropriate for a conference on urban agriculture in Detroit. If you would like to submit a comment about the accessibility of this conference please do so here.