Field days, workshops and webinars for farmers transitioning to organic
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If you’re curious about transitioning to organic production practices and/or certifying organic, this will be a great year to find out what is involved! The Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is organizing five field days, seven webinars and sessions at several conferences. The field days include a series of regional farm tours throughout Michigan, including three farms each in Washtenaw County, Berrien County, Detroit and Muskegon. In addition, TOPP Network Partners Keep Growing Detroit, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance and Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, West Michigan Growers’ Group, Real Organic Project, Mid-Michigan Farmer Meetup and others are planning for events to connect farmers in their networks to learn more about transitioning to organic.
MI TOPP Celebration - October 6-7, 2026
Just for TOPP Participants and Partners! This event will bring together MI TOPP mentors and mentees to celebrate their time and commitment to organic mentorship. All current and past TOPP farmers are invited, as well as those who have supported TOPP’s mission. Details will be shared directly with invitees. Contact Sam Wallace at swallace@gtcd.org with any questions.
Field Days
Organic Mushroom Production Workshop at Agape Farms
When:
- Monday, July 6: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m
- Wednesday, July 8: 5 p.m - 8 p.m
- Saturday, July 11: 10 a.m - 6 p.m
- Monday, July 13: 1 p.m- 8 p.m
- Wednesday, July 15: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m
- Saturday, July 18: 10 a.m - 6 p.m
- Monday, July 20: 10 a.m - 6 p.m
Where: Dansville, MI
What: Join us for an immersive 7-day workshop on organic mushroom production at Agape Organic Farms, led by experienced instructor Shara. This hands-on course is designed for individuals interested in understanding the entire process of mushroom cultivation, from substrate preparation to fruiting.
Washtenaw TOPP Farm Tours: Explore three farms growing seeds, flowers, and more!
When: Tuesday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Meet at Raindance Farm at 9 a.m.
What: Dig into Washtenaw County’s organic and sustainable agriculture with guided tours at three farms — each offering a distinctive look at seed stewardship, diversified production, ecological farming practices, and farmer‑led community engagement. Kick off the day at Raindance Farm, known for its cut flowers, ecological management and on‑farm education. Then, enjoy a farm‑fresh lunch at Nature and Nurture Farm, followed by a guided tour of this certified organic farm known regionally for seed production and heirloom variety preservation. End the day at Pott Farms to see a Regenerative Organic Certified hemp crop using soil‑building practices. Registrants are responsible for their own transportation between farms.
Speakers: Kristen Meuhlhauser of Raindance Farm, Mike Levine of Nature and Nurture Farm, and Robbin Pott of Pott Farms
Agenda
- 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Tour of Raindance Farm
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. lunch provided at Nature and Nurture Farm
- 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Tour of Nature and Nurture Farm
- 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tour of Pott Farms
A Taste of Berrien County's Organic Agriculture: Tour three value-added and agritourism farms
When: Friday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Begin at Tower Hill Farm, 4448 Naomi Rd, Sodus, MI 49126, then travel to Flatwater Farms and Granor Farm
What: This farm tour offers farmers and educators a place-based learning experience focused on organic production, value-added enterprises, and agritourism models across Berrien County. We’ll begin at Tower Hill Farm, a family-owned, certified organic orchard and vegetable farm that demonstrates stewardship-driven production through diverse crops, hoop houses, and strong local food system connections. Then, we’ll drive to Flatwater Farms for lunch and a tour of their regenerative practices, innovative energy use, and value-added integration through hops production, and on‑farm food experiences. We’ll end the day at Granor Farm, home of diversified production, farm-to-table excellence, and agritourism through its farm store, education programs, and renowned greenhouse dinners.
Speakers: Tower Hill Farm: Co-owner and Farmer Julie Studier; Flatwater Farms: Farm Manager Danny Moeller; Granor Farm: Farm Manager Joseph Garrett and Grain Manager Jake Lohraff will co-lead the farm tour.
West Michigan Organic Farm Tours: Explore Farm to Institution Markets from schools to hospitals (TOPP Event)
When: Tuesday, August 11
Where: Start at McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm at Trinity Health Muskegon, 175 E Larch Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442
What: Tours of three farms focused on sales to hospitals, schools and other institutions, including McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm at Trinity Health Muskegon, Tortoise & Hare Farm and The Woven Trifecta. We will also visit FARM Accelerator (Food, Agriculture, Research and Manufacturing Accelerator), a food hub focused on farm-to-school marketing.
Speakers: Savannah Cunningham of McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm, Clarence Rudat of the FARM Accelerator, Brett Ziegler of Tortoise & Hare Farm and Sam Otto of The Woven Trifecta will each lead tours of their farms and facilities. Each tour host will discuss best practices for farm-to-institution sales and how they participate in these markets.
Agenda:
- 10:30-11:45 a.m. McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm at Trinity Health Muskegon
- 12:05 - 1 p.m. FARM Accelerator (lunch with a short tour after)
- 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Tortoise & Hare
- 3 - 4:15 p.m. Woven Trifecta
Aug 18 – NW Michigan Farm Tours: Farming for Purpose, People and Profit
When: August 18, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where:.Bear Creek Organic Farm in Petoskey and Lakeside Farm in Boyne City
What: Join Michigan TOPP for FREE 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. At the end, we will have a panel of organic and regenerative farmers, facilitated by Crosshatch Center for the Art and Ecology.
Speakers: Brian Bates (Bear Creek Organic Farm), Dave Skornia (Lakeside Farm), and a panel of farmers
Agenda:
- 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Bear Creek Organic Farm. 4012 Atkins Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided.
- 11:30 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Lunch provided at Bear Creek Organic Farm
- 12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Travel to Lakeside Farm
- 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Lakeside Farm. 06255 Zenith Heights Rd, Boyne City, MI 49712
- 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Farm Panel, Q+A - Lakeside Farm
2026 Annual Tour of Detroit Farms and Gardens
When: TBD, August or September, 2026
Where:.Start at Keep Growing Detroit Farm, 3100 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207
What: Tour of farmers transitioning to organic in Detroit. There will be several different tours all happening the same day in Detroit!
Speakers: TBD
Event posting: TBD
Register: TBD
Northern Michigan Compost Crawl Tour at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm
When: September 14, 2026
Where: 1091 N Keystone Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
Register: TBD
Farm Tours at the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference
When: October 4 – 6
Where: Bellaire, MI
What: Farm tours are a chance for hands-on learning from innovative farmers in Antrim County. Buses will be available from downtown Bellaire, and the farm tours are an optional add-on to the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference. On October 5th and 6th, there will be opportunities for everyone to learn in a more classic conference format. Interest group roundtable discussions will be offered too, where you can connect with others who share your passions and experiences in farming. The Small Farm Conference is organized by Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, a core network partner with MI TOPP.
Speakers: TBD
Event posting: https://www.smallfarmconference.com/
Farmer Webinars
Connecting People and Passion: Managing Volunteers
When: July 8, 2026, from 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: Online
What: Urban, organic and direct-market farmers often know that growing food can connect you to others who are passionate about creating a stronger, more robust food system bridled with local, seasonal produce. Volunteering is a way that people can get involved in helping farmers sustain their important work of feeding others. This workshop, will cover the psychology of volunteeris, training volunteers and volunteer retention.
Speaker: Shane Bernardo
TOPP Webinar - Building a Biological Powerhouse in Your Soil Webinar 2: Infusing Your Soil and Plants with Beneficial Microbes
When: July 15, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Where: Online
What: This webinar series will explore the science behind the workings of soil microbes, and why microbial inoculants are so effective in plant and soil health; describe and / or demonstrate practical, low-cost methods of creating quality composts and extracts; and share case studies and success stories of farmers using microbial inoculants on their farms.
Speakers: Parker Jean from Sanctuary Farm in Detroit, Ian Hunter of Cure Soil Compost, and Jesse Wiser of Hiwassee Products.
Educator Webinars
These webinars are open to all, but the speakers will emphasize information important for farm educators with Conservation Districts, MSU Extension, NRCS, MDARD and non-profit farm organizations. This series will help farm professionals engage farmers with farmer-led, scale-relevant and financially savvy info that farmers are actually looking for. Join the series to dig into these 3 topics:
- Organic Certification for Urban Farms
- Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge
- How producers weigh the cost-benefit of organic certification
Organic Certification for Urban Farms
When: Thursday, July 16, from Noon to 1 p.m.
Where: Online Webinar
Cost: Free
What: This webinar equips farm educators and ag professionals with a clear, real‑world look at how organic certification works on urban farms like Earthworks—covering practices, records, inspections, and unique challenges. We will also critically examine when organic certification does or doesn’t make sense for urban farms and will highlight lessons from urban farmer mentees navigating the process.
Speakers: Patrick Crouch will share his experience with organic certification at Earthworks Farm in Detroit. Jon Kent or Miles Wood will discuss the transition process at Sanctuary Farms and the intern they are hosting to certify their farm and compost operation. They will also go over how they are assisting farmers in Detroit transition to organic.
Research and Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge
When: Thursday, July 23, from 12 -1 p.m.
Where: Online webinar
Cost: Free
What: Join fellow farm educators and ag professionals for this TOPP webinar exploring how research, education, and outreach can better center farmer knowledge. We’ll begin with practical examples through short lightning talks from five educators on how they center farmer wisdom in webinars, field days, working groups, research, and mentorship. The second half of the session will focus on interactive discussion and breakout conversations to help participants identify concrete ways to deepen their connections with farmers and increase the impact of their work.
Speakers: We have a great lineup of speakers each sharing about how they center farmer knowledge in their work in 5 minutes or less.
Sarah Janes Ugoretz of the University of Wisconsin will discuss ways to include farmers in webinars & listservs through her work on farm labor with BTEC (Becoming the Employer of Choice) and TEAMS (Training & Education for Aspiring Managers)
Mariel Borgman of MSU Extension will discuss farmer-led and farmer-friendly Field Days
Florencia Collella of MSU Extension will share how to create Farmer Working Groups that are led by the needs of farmers
Dan Brainard of MSU will discuss best practices for fully engaging farmers in research projects
Alex Cacciari, of Washtenaw County Conservation District and Seeley Farm, will share how to unlock the peer-to-peer learning possibilities of farm mentorship
You! The second half of this webinar will be more of a roundtable to hear from participants how they center farmers in their work.
How producers weigh the cost-benefit of organic certification
When: Thursday, July 30, from Noon to 1 p.m. EST
Where: Online Webinar
Cost: Free
What: This interactive TOPP webinar will dig into how farmers evaluate the return on investment of organic certification compared to building trust “organically”. The session will combine research, grower perspectives, and a real-world discussion to unpack financial, community, and market‑specific impacts.
Speakers: TBD
Conferences and In-person Events
Learn from Michigan’s organic farmers and TOPP mentors at the following conferences:
January 10: MOFFA Organic Intensives – TOPP funding 2 of the 3 conference tracks and the bus from Detroit; Alex Cacciari spoke about cut flowers
February 5: SW Michigan Horticulture Days – Katie Brandt spoke to grape growers about options for organic and regenerative certification
February 14: National Farm Stop Conference Alex Cacciari presented “Building Trust through Organic and Beyond Food Labelling.”
March 23 - 24: CWF Organic Expo – TOPP Mentor Sarah Longstreth will discuss TOPP and tips for transitioning to organic
April 15: FREE Organic Rising film screening with a panel of farmers and the filmmaker!
October 4 – 6: Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference (see details in Field Days section above)
Monthly Drop-in Organic Farming Q & A
Stop by online to ask your questions about organic farming. Michigan's TOPP Technicians Alex, Kim and Sam will bring their knowledge to these monthly drop-in office hours to chat all things organic farming.
Mentorship
Michigan’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has paired over 40 transitioning farmers with experienced organic farm mentors. Apply now to be a Mentor or Transitioning Farmer Mentee. Mentors will be paid $3,000 for completing the 40 hours of mentorship. Mentees receive a $500 stipend for attending an educational event. Mentors and mentees meet for 40 hours each year, including visiting each other's farms at least once per year, monthly meetings, attending an educational event together and answering questions as needed. Mentors and mentees also commit to onboarding, trainings, evaluation, quarterly check-ins with the coordinator and tracking meeting hours. Mentees commit to pursuing organic certification and creating an Organic System Plan. The program welcomes farmers from all backgrounds, and encourages farmers of color, veterans, women, Spanish speakers, lower-income farmers and young and beginning farmers to apply. All crops, livestock species and farm types qualify for this program.
Partners
MSU Extension, the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program, Grand Traverse Conservation District and Washtenaw County Conservation District are working together to co-lead this project, which ends on September 30, 2026. In addition, Keep Growing Detroit, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, the Real Organic Project and the Organic Seed Alliance are TOPP Network Partners who will each host two community-building events to connect with farmers and answer questions about organic farming and certification.
More information
Apply as a transitioning farmer mentee
Contact: Katie Brandt brandtk7@msu.edu or Mariel Borgman mborgm@msu.edu
Sign up for TOPP Jobs & Opportunities emails: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/011Uo1a
