The Michigan Family Farms Conference, which will be Feb. 8 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, is a forum for beginning, small- and medium-scale farms in Michigan to celebrate diverse agricultural communities, network, learn and build vibrant, sustainable food systems.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, Nurturing Resilient Farms — 2020 & Beyond, the keynote presentation, “We Were Made for These Times,” will be delivered by Pakou Hang, executive director emeritus of the Hmong American Farmers Association.

Hang will discuss what our histories can teach about what is to come, and how embracing diverse cultural heritage can offer guidance and strength during challenging times of uncertainty and rapid change. 

The conference has several educational tracks on topics relevant to small- and medium-scale farms, including financial resiliency, growing industrial hemp, managing farm stress, creative intercropping, farm labor, goat and sheep management, farm viability and more. The family-friendly conference also has an education track for ages 5 and older with fun, agriculturally focused activities.

Other highlights include more than 30 exhibitors, including USDA, which can help attendees register their farm — a critical first step for accessing USDA programs — as well as an awards ceremony, honoring a Farmer of the Year, Food System Leader of the Year and Courageous Catalyst.

Registration is available online or at the event. Learn more at miffs.org/mffc2020.

The Michigan Family Farms Conference is made possible with funding from USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, otherwise known as the 2501 Program.

Source: Michigan Food & Farming Systems, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.