MIFarmLink November Newsletter

As we turn the clocks back and settle into November, the days grow shorter, the holiday season gets closer, and farms across Michigan begin preparing for the year ahead. It’s also a busy time for agricultural conferences, workshops, and opportunities to connect with others in the farming community.

At MIFarmLink, we know that building a successful farm takes more than finding the right land. It also takes thoughtful planning, preparation, and a clear vision for the future. Whether you're starting a farm, expanding an existing operation, or preparing to transition your land to the next generation, business planning is an important step. Taking time to review your goals, finances, markets, and long-term plans can help set your operation up for success.

As the year winds down, consider making time to attend an upcoming conference, connect with fellow farmers, explore new resources, and begin thinking about your goals for the coming growing season. Sometimes, the best way to prepare for what’s next is to start planning today.

Sincerely,

Jill and the MIFarmLink Team

(Team MIFarmLink, #mifarmlinker)

• Nov. 11th - Selling MI Honey & Maple Syrup - Safely!
• Nov. 18th - Selling to Local Food Markets: Farmers Markets
• Nov. 18th - Gathering of Growers Crop Study: Beans
• Nov. 19th - SARE Farm Educator Lunch & Learn webinars: Conservation Economics
• Dec. 1st to 2nd - Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting
• Dec. 2nd - December Office Hours for Farm Financial Recordkeeping
• Dec. 4th - Planning for Profit: A Production Economics and Farm Marketing Workshop
• Dec. 4th - Michigan Farm Mentors: Learn What’s Available. Help Shape What’s Next.
• Dec. 8th to 10th - Great Lakes Expo
• Dec. 17th - Community Input Session to brainstorm topics for 2027 SARE Lunch & Learn webinars
• Jan. 8th - MIFarmLink Regional Representative Info Session
• Jan. 29th to 31st - Growing Together Conference
• Feb. 11th - 2027 Cultivating Resilience Winter Conference

Join MIFarmLink on the first Friday of each month from 11 AM to 12 PM for Michigan Farmer Connect, a free monthly webinar series designed to connect farmers with helpful experts, resources, and practical information.

Each month, we’ll dive into a different topic relevant to Michigan farmers, from farmland protection and financing to business planning, land transfer, mentorship, and more.

Dec. 4th - Michigan Farm Mentors: Learn What’s Available. Help Shape What’s Next.

Join Katie Brandt of MSU Extension to learn about the Michigan Farm Mentors project and share your insights on what farmer mentorship opportunities you would like to see. We will share about mentorship projects, including:

• MI FarmLink mentorship that just launched and is seeking mentors and mentees
• First Generation Farm Mentors that just paired mentors and mentees and mentors
• Other regional mentorship opportunities
• Successes from past mentorship projects, including TOPP and Michigan Sustainable Farm Mentors.

Then, we'll get your insights on what mentorship opportunities YOU would like to see. This will be a facilitated discussion

Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Send your suggestions to info@mifarmlink.org.

Come with questions, connect with experts, and leave with resources you can put to work on your farm!

Greenstone Farm Credit Services offer young, beginning, and small farmers grants, education, mentorship, and specialized financing to build and sustain a successful agricultural operation.

Every farm connection has a story, and we want to hear yours! Whether you found farmland, connected with a farmer or landowner, started a lease, purchased land, found a mentor, or simply made a meaningful connection through MIFarmLink, your experience could help inspire someone else.

Share your story with us and help show what’s possible when farmers and landowners connect. Your story may be featured on the MIFarmLink website, social media, newsletter, or YouTube.

These partners make it possible for MIFarmLink to remain a free and accessible program, ensuring farmers and landowners across Michigan can get the support they need without cost.