A learning center for positive change
Since 1984, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute has been devoted to developing an agriculture that can sustain the land and its resources. As a public, non-profit learning center, we seek to revitalize farming with research, education, technical assistance and public policy. A full breakdown of each of our activities can be found within the Programs section of the web site.
Our mission is to cultivate the ecological, social, economic, and spiritual vitality of food and farming systems through education, research, policy and market development.
MFAI highlights:
New Workshops!
Click on the link below for the latest workshop additions to our series, including new renewable energy workshops and the latest on pest management for brassicas.
» Full list of workshops
Postharvest handling resources now available
As consumer demand for locally grown produce increases, more farmers are selling their products directly to supermarkets, restaurants, institutions and other large retailers. Selling to new markets can present new opportunities and challenges. An MFAI workshop and a manual offered by FamilyFarmed.org are now available for farmers who want to improve their postharvest handling practices and increase their sales.
» More information
Urban Agriculture: A Feast for Our Cities
Over 250 urban agriculture practitioners and enthusiasts gathered recently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the country’s first-ever urban agriculture conference. The Pollinating Our Future: Urban Agriculture Conference brought together urban farmers, city planners, health officials, academic researchers, food and justice activists, neighborhood leaders and more. Read the full article to find out more about what happened at the Conference and what's next.
» Read the full article
SPIN-tastic Farming Goes to the Domes
MFAI and Mitchell Park Conservancy co-hosted the 2nd annual SPIN (Small Plot INtensive) Farming Workshop at the Mitchell Park Domes Pavilion in Milwaukee in February, as part of the Urban Agriculture Conference. SPIN farming is an agricultural enterprise model for urban and peri-urban areas complete with its own lexicon, planning and planting techniques, and marketing strategies. Read on to find out more.
» Read the full article
Seeds and Breeds
In March, MFAI Policy Program Intern Nikki Check attended the Seeds and Breeds National Summit, hosted by the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA). The Summit addressed the increasing trends of consolidation and dwindling public resources for planting and livestock breeding. In her article, Nikki highlights the needs for public breeding programs that support a diverse, sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.
» Read the full article
Farm Bill Deal on the Horizon May Hurt Conservation and Rural Development Funding
Farm bill negotiations have heated up after months of delays. Congress passed an extension on the current farm bill, giving legislators until April 18th to pass a new bill. And they may just get there, but what the final bill looks like remains uncertain. If you are in Minnesota, Michigan or Iowa, now is a critical time to contact your representatives.
» Read the full article
Conservation Security Program Opens in Milwaukee River Watershed, 52 Watersheds Nationwide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the long awaited signup for the Conservation Security Program will begin on April 18, 2008 in 52 watersheds, including the Milwaukee River Watershed in Wisconsin. The Conservation Security Program is the country’s only green payments program, which rewards farmers for their practices that promote clean water, air and wildlife habitat on their farms.
» Read the full article
2008 MFAI Farm and Food Workshops
Check out our workshop listings. Our upcoming workshop offerings include chicken tractor building, post-harvest handling and an introduction to biodynamic agriculture.
» Full list of 2008 workshops
Upcoming events
Come experience living green at Fields Neighborhood's Live a Green Life Day; immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and flavors of spring at MFAI's Flavor of the Seasons culinary weekend retreat; or experience the world's largest renewable energy fair in Custer, Wisconsin. Check out these upcoming spring events and more on the MFAI event calendar.
» See all upcoming events
MFAI launches new initiative to reach underserved farmers
MFAI proudly announces a new project, funded by USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA), which pays experienced grantwriters to assist farmers in submitting grant proposals to federal agencies to support their work. The project places priority on serving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, whom RMA describes as belonging to "a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as a member of the group without regard to their individual qualities. SDA groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.
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More information
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