EAST LANSING, Mich. — Many small and beginning farmers are unsure of how to fund their farm, which loan and grant programs apply to them, and where to go when they don’t qualify for traditional loans. Many innovative funding strategies, like mutual aid, were developed by Black and Brown communities. Due to historical predatory lending and the systemic perpetuation of debt these communities of traditional lending often remains inappropriate for Black, Latine, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous communities.

This event is meant to share some alternatives to traditional lending, familiarize folks with the options in Michigan, and offer them one on one consulting time with a service provider in a breakout room based on their needs. When registering, farmers will describe their needs briefly, and they will be matched with a service provider who may be able to provide advice on funding or other topics of their choosing. Folks who do not currently have a farm business are encouraged to come, as this would be a great time to talk with a service provider about business planning, raising capital, etc.

There will be presentations from the “crowdfarming” group Steward and the Michigan Good Food Fund, to talk about their support for farmers in deciding if a loan is right for them.

After presentations and Q&A, farmers will have an optional 20 minutes in a one on one or small group breakout room with a service provider. Farmers will be able to network and ask questions, and receive or share advice. These matches will be organized by the MI Technical Assistance Navigator at the National Young Farmers Coalition, whose goal is to connect with farmers and offer them resources and connections to appropriate service providers based on their needs. This project is in collaboration with Michigan Food and Farming Systems.

Go here to register! Farmworkers and landless farmers are welcome! Service providers and non-farming folks are welcome to register as well, but please indicate that you are not a farmer in your registration, and try to leave the Q&A space mostly open for farmers and farmworkers questions. Contact Payge with any questions at payge@youngfarmers.org. If you are a farmer, farmworker, or aspiring farmer who is looking for resources or support for your farm goals, feel free to reach out to speak with Payge as well to get resources for your current/future business.

— Michigan Food & Farming Systems

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