Upcoming MSU events to bolster the sustainability of your farm
Print
EmailField days and workshops highlight research-based ideas to maximize return on investment and solve problems on the farm.
Michigan State University Extension is hosting a wide range of educational events across Michigan this summer and fall, covering soil health, cover crops, wetlands, irrigation, pest management and more. Our field days, workshops and resources are designed to help farmers maximize their return on investment and solve problems they may experience on the farm or in the field.
Michigan State University Extension 2026 summer and fall agricultural events calendar
June Events
June 3
- Monthly Drop-in Organic Farming Question and Answer– June
An open forum for organic growers to ask questions and discuss challenges - Soil Health Workshop for Beginning Farmers. Focuses on soil biology, structure, and practices to build soil health. Check here for more information.
- Beginning Farmer Field Day - Agritourism, Farm Marketing, Farm Business Management. This field day will provide new and beginning farmers with foundational knowledge in agritourism, farm marketing and farm business management.
- Finding Common Ground: Building Trust with Urban Farmers Workshop for Service Providers. Join us at New City Urban Farm in Grand Rapids for an interactive, hands-on workshop for ag service providers
June 5
- Tribal SARE Food Sovereignty Mini-Grants Webinar: Plan and apply for $5000 12:10 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Online. Learn about Tribal SARE Food Sovereignty Mini-Grants and make a concrete plan to apply for $5,000. These grants are open to Tribal members, Tribal leadership and governments and to project that benefit Tribes in Michigan and Wisconsin.
June 10
- Food Grade Grains Field Day at Boyer Livestock in Clarklake, MI. Connect with farmers, millers, and bakers working to build a local food-grade grain value chain in Southeast Michigan. Registration is free. 2 RUP.
- Tribal SARE Food Sovereignty Mini-Grants Webinar 2: Plan and apply for $5000 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Online. Learn about Tribal SARE Food Sovereignty Mini-Grants and make a concrete plan to apply for $5,000. These grants are open to Tribal members, Tribal leadership and governments and to project that benefit Tribes in Michigan and Wisconsin.
June 12
- Integrated Pest Management Workshop for Beginning Farmers. Covers foundational IPM practices for managing insect, weed, and disease pressures. Check here for more information.
June 17
- Food Grade Grains Field Day and Canola Crop Walk at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). Learn about growing, processing, and marketing food-grade grains. In the afternoon, learn about winter canola. Check here for more information.
June 16
- Grazing and Soil Health Management – Ogemaw County. Workshop on using grazing practices to improve soil health in pasture-based systems.
June 18
- Jackson County Regenerative Ag Day. Field day at Maple Crest Farm in Rives Junction. The event will highlight how regenerative agriculture practices can improve soil health. Check here for more information.
June 25
- SARE Farm Educator Lunch and Learn webinars: Farmer Wellbeing and Community Wellness 12:05 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Online. Join the SARE Farm Educator Lunch and Learn webinars to learn more about sustainable agriculture. This month, Remington Rice will share insights on farmer wellbeing and community wellness.
- Beekeeping Workshop in Novi, MI 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Rd., Novi, MI 48377. Join Michigan State University Extension for an in-hive beekeeping workshop on honey bee colony health inspections and seasonal management!
July Events
July 8
July 15
- TOPP Webinar - Building a Biological Powerhouse in Your Soil Webinar Two: Infusing Your Soil and Plants with Beneficial Microbes 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Online. Join a FREE Webinar for farmers.
July 16
- TOPP Educator Webinars: Organic Certification for Urban Farms 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Online. Farm educators and ag professionals are welcome to join the first of three FREE webinars: 1. Organic Certification for Urban Farms; 2. Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge; 3. How Producers Weigh the Cost–Benefit of Organic Certification
July 21
- Washtenaw TOPP Farm Tours: Explore three farms growing seeds, flowers and more! 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Raindance Farm, 2015 E North Territorial Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189; addresses of other two farms will be sent with registration. Explore three sustainable and organic farms in Washtenaw County. This is a great opportunity for farmers to learn from farmers at Raindance Farm, Nature and Nurture Seeds and Pott Farms. We'll see cut flowers, seed production and more!
July 23
- Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge - TOPP Educator webinar and SARE Educator Lunch and Learn webinar 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Online. Farm educators and ag professionals are welcome to join the second of three FREE webinars: Organic Certification for Urban Farms; 2. Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge; 3. How Producers Weigh the Cost–Benefit of Organic Certification.
- Beekeeping Workshop in Novi, MI 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Rd., Novi, MI 48377. Join Michigan State University Extension for an in-hive beekeeping workshop on honey bee colony health inspections and seasonal management!
July 23-24
- Michigan Christmas Tree Association Summer Meeting. Field Day at 66181 N Lakeview Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091. Members and non-members are welcome to attend. The field day will include a farm tour, pest management and educational sessions.
July 25
- Beekeeping Workshop in Lansing, MI 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. MSU Pollinator Performance Center, 4090 N College Rd., Building E, Lansing, MI 48910. Join Michigan State University Extension for an in-hive beekeeping workshop on honey bee colony health inspections and seasonal management!
July 30
- TOPP Educator Webinars: Organic Certification for Urban Farms 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Online. Farm educators and ag professionals are welcome to join the third of three FREE webinars: 1. Organic Certification for Urban Farms; 2. Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge; 3. How Producers Weigh the Cost–Benefit of Organic Certification
July 30–31
- Michigan Manure Haulers Certification in-person course. The class will be held at the Saginaw Valley Research and Education Center, 3775 S. Reese Road Frankenmuth, MI 48734. Please register here.
July 31
- Berrien County Organic Agriculture: Tour Three Value-Added and Agritourism Farms 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tower Hill Farm 4448 Naomi Rd, Sodus, MI 49126 Sodus, MI; addresses of the other two farms will be sent with registration. Explore three outstanding, organic farms in Berrien County that offer agritourism and value-added products. This is a great opportunity for farmers to learn from SW Michigan farmers at Tower Hill Farm, Flatwater Farms and Granor Farm.
August Events
August 1
- Summer Irrigation Workshop- KBS. A hands-on workshop for producers and stakeholders focused on: Practical tools for improving irrigation efficiency, new technologies and a mini trade show, and Roundtable on the future of irrigation in Michigan. More details coming soon.
August 5
August 11
- West Michigan TOPP Farm Tour: Explore Farm to Institution Markets from schools to hospitals 10:30 a.m. – 4:15 m. McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm at Trinity Health Muskegon, 175 E Larch Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 (first tour of the day). Join Michigan TOPP for a West Michigan learning day on Farm to Institution markets. Tour farms, including a hospital farm and food hub, while learning how organic and transitioning farmers can access new markets.
August 12
- Newaygo County Cover Crop and IPM Field Day. Learn how cover crops and integrated pest management strategies work together. Check here for more information.
- Center for Excellence Field Day in Clayton, MI. Celebrating 30 years of sustainable ag research in Lenawee County, the event will highlight topics on precision nutrient management, cover crops, and no-till management for corn, soybean and wheat production. Check here for more information.
August 13
- Building Soil, Building Profit Event in Lowell, MI. Join the Barry and Ionia County Conservation Districts for a hands-on event focusing on the practical and financial benefits of regenerative agriculture. Learn how improving soil health can strengthen farm resilience, reduce input costs, and improve long-term profitability. Contact the Barry County CD for more information.
August 14
- Cropping System Field Day in Vermontville, MI. Eaton and Ingham Conservation Districts are hosting a field Day at Hickey Farms to highlight soil health practices in row crop production. Check here for more information.
August 18
- Northwest Michigan TOPP Field Day: Farming for People, Purpose, and Profit 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bear Creek Organic Farm, 4012 Atkins Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770 (first site of the day). Join Michigan TOPP for farm tours at Bear Creek Organic Farm and Lakeside Farm. Learn how each farm started, built community-centered business models, and compare organic and regenerative practices.
August 19
- Manure Spill Emergency Action Demonstration.
August 20
- Hillsdale County Nutrient Management Field Day. Best practices for fertilizer application, nutrient budgeting, and soil testing. Check here for more information.
August 27
- Ionia County Field Day. Regional topics on soil health, fertility, and conservation practices. Check here for more information.
- SARE Farm Educator Lunch & Learn webinars: Generational Transition with Corey Clark 12:05 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Online. Join the SARE Farm Educator Lunch and Learn webinars to learn more about sustainable agriculture. This month, Corey Clark will share insights on Generational Transition.
September Events
September 3
- Cover Crop Workshop: Incorporating the Principles of Regenerative Agriculture to make my farm more resilient and successful at SVREC with registration beginning 1:30 p.m. – program 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.
September 2
September 4
- LTAR Field Day - KBS (Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site). Join us for the fourth annual KBS LTAR field day at the MSU Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site. This year we will reflect on the past five years of our five-crop rotation, stacked conservation practices and precision technologies and look towards a new "aspirational" rotation in these upcoming five years! 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Which cover crop produces the most biomass on my farm? Hands-on learning about biomass production (flyer/link to follow) from different cover crops at the SVREC – registration 5:00 p.m.
September 9
- Tillage and Soil Health Field Day – Monroe, MI
