MIFarmLink December Newsletter

December always invites us to look back on the year with appreciation for the people and partnerships that keep Michigan’s farmland thriving. As we head into the holiday season, our team is feeling especially grateful for all who have walked alongside us.

Earlier this month, we launched our first-ever Giving Tuesday campaign, focusing our efforts on strengthening and expanding the support we offer to farmers and landowners across the state. We’re off to a strong start, and we’re thankful for everyone who has already stepped up to help move this work forward.

We’re also proud to share that MIFarmLink was awarded a generous $120,000 grant from the Towsley Foundation. This support gives us a real boost as we continue to grow statewide and deepen our services for Michigan’s next generation of growers.

Our team had the chance to attend the MACD Conference as well, connecting with partners old and new and celebrating the progress we’ve made together. It’s moments like these — coming together, sharing ideas, and planning for the future — that remind us why this work matters.

Thank you for being part of the MIFarmLink community. As we wrap up the year, we’re grateful for your trust, your encouragement, and your commitment to keeping Michigan’s farmland in farming. Here’s to finishing the year strong and growing even more in the one ahead.

Sincerely,

Jill and the MIFarmLink Team

(Team MIFarmLink, #mifarmlinker)

Our first Giving Tuesday campaign has come to a close. We are grateful to have raised over $1,500 to support MIFarmLink’s work across Michigan. Thank you to the Cook Family Foundation, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau, and all of our supporters for helping us connect more farmers and landowners and protect Michigan farmland. We look forward to doing this again next year. In the meantime, donations are always welcome at mifarmlink.org/donate.

Do you know someone passionate about helping Michigan’s farmers and farmland thrive? MIFarmLink is currently seeking Regional Representatives to help spread the word about our program statewide! Regional Reps serve as local connectors—sharing MIFarmLink resources, building relationships with farmers and landowners, and helping communities understand how farmland transition can benefit everyone. It’s a great opportunity for Conservation District staff or community members who care deeply about keeping land in agriculture and supporting the next generation of farmers. Apply here.

Each month we highlight a farm that’s available to lease or purchase.

Gateway Farm, located near Plymouth, MI, is a 12-acre certified organic and regenerative farm that has become a vibrant community hub over the past decade. The farm includes 4 acres of USDA-certified organic market gardens, 4 acres of a permaculture-inspired Food Forest, and 4 acres of infrastructure including barns, hoop houses, a renovated farmhouse, educational and event spaces, and farm equipment. Gateway Farm hosts a wide range of offerings, including farm-to-table dinners, seasonal markets, educational workshops, yoga and wellness programs, and community events. The farm’s operations emphasize regenerative practices, soil health, biodiversity, and community engagement, making it a model for sustainable agriculture in southeast Michigan.

As the current owners, Bridget O’Brien and Dr. Charlie Brennan of Garden Juju Collective, prepare for the next chapter, they are seeking new owners or mission-aligned investors to carry the farm forward. Farms like Gateway are increasingly rare, and the goal is to ensure the property continues to serve as a teaching, gathering, and community-centered space. Interested parties can learn more about the farm, its history, and the sale at gatewayfarmplymouth.com or by contacting the directors directly at director@gatewayfarmplymouth.com. The owners are also hosting roundtable discussions for those interested in ownership, partnership, or involvement in the farm’s next chapter.

Each month we highlight a farmer looking to connect to land.

This is a family who chose to put down roots in western Michigan after leaving the Chicago suburbs to build a more intentional, hands-on homestead life. Motivated by their own health journey, they’ve discovered a renewed sense of wellness through raising their own food—everything from honeybees to pasture-raised meat chickens, a skill their kids have taken to with impressive enthusiasm. Inspired by leaders like Joel Salatin and Justin Rhodes, the Browns are eager to deepen their regenerative farming knowledge through mentorship and partnership. With hopes of finding 5–100 acres in Allegan, Barry, or Kent counties, they’re looking to connect with experienced farmers and landowners who share a vision for stewarding the land and producing nutrient-dense food for the community.

Jennie Koebel is a lifelong farmer, raised on a dairy farm and married to a grain and dairy farmer. After raising three daughters on the family farm, they sold their dairy herd in 2017. Jennie served as County Administrator for Michigan Farm Bureau, gaining deep experience in agricultural operations, economic sustainability, and advocacy with elected officials. She now works as a concierge banker with Huntington National Bank and serves on the Michigan Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Board, supporting loans for agriculture and education for underserved populations. Committed to family farm continuity, Jennie and her husband have developed a succession plan for their children and have implemented sustainable practices recognized with the 2023 Berrien County Conservation District Environmental Stewardship Award.

MIFarmLink was excited to attend the MACD 2025 Annual Conference December 8–10 at Shanty Creek Resort. On December 9, we had the opportunity to give a presentation highlighting our work connecting farmers and landowners across Michigan. It was wonderful to connect with Conservation Districts and other partners, share ideas, and strengthen the network supporting Michigan’s agricultural and conservation communities.

• January- Farm Transition Course 2026, Online Courses
• January 6th- Farmer-Led Land Transfer Focus Group, Ann Arbor, MI
• Jan. 10th- MOFFA Organic Intensives 2026, East Lansing, MI
• Jan. 22nd- MIFarmLink Lunch and Learn, Webinar
• Jan. 27th to March 10th- Farm Transition Course 2026, Webinar
• Feb. 4th & 5th- MiAA's 2025 Underground Innovations, Frankenmuth, MI
• Feb 5th- 2026 Cultivating Resilience Conference, Hudsonville, MI
• Feb. 10th- Take Root Conference, Lansing, MI
• Feb. 12th to 15th- Farm Stop Conference, Ann Arbor, MI
• May 11th to 13th- Michigan Recycling Coalition Recycling & Organics Conference, Kalamazoo, MI
• June 22nd to 23rd- 2026 State of the Western Lake Erie Basin Conference, Adrian, MI

We’re thrilled to be part of the new Beginning Farmer Curriculum, a hands-on, learn-by-doing resource developed by an amazing team of farmer educators. From soil health to farm finances, this guide empowers new farmers to explore, experiment, and grow with confidence. Check it out for free here.