MSU Extension offers Healthy Animals, Strong Farms trainings for Upper Peninsula livestock farms
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EmailSmall and diversified livestock farms in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can strengthen animal health and protect their farms by attending upcoming Healthy Animals, Strong Farms trainings offered in two locations.
Raising livestock comes with many challenges, but maintaining animal health remains one of the most important factors in building a productive and sustainable farm. Whether you raise a few animals for a direct-market farm, manage a diversified homestead, or operate a larger livestock enterprise, protecting animal health begins with strong on-farm practices. Anyone who visits your farm — from family members to veterinarians, feed suppliers and customers — can play a role in helping to protect your animals.
One of the most effective ways to protect livestock is through farm biosecurity. Biosecurity practices help prevent the introduction and spread of diseases that threaten animal health and farm profitability. These practices are especially important during disease outbreaks such as avian influenza, bovine tuberculosis and other livestock diseases that impact farms across the region.
To help farmers take practical steps toward better biosecurity, Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Center for Regional Food Systems, has developed a new set of resources and training opportunities specifically designed for farmers and agricultural professionals in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
These sessions will provide practical, easy-to-implement strategies that farms of all sizes can use to protect animal health and strengthen their operations. Farmers, service providers and anyone who works with livestock farms are encouraged to attend.
Register for upcoming training sessions
Healthy Animals, Strong Farms – Marquette County
May 5, 2026, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
184 US-41, Negaunee, MI
Healthy Animals, Strong Farms – Mackinac County
May 6, 2026, 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.
St. Ignace Public Library
110 W. Spruce St., St. Ignace, MI 49781
These sessions are free to attend and will include door prizes and giveaways.
New resources at your fingertips
MSU Extension has also launched a new Protecting Animal Health through Biosecurity website that provides practical tools to help farmers put biosecurity into action on their farms. This site includes educational videos, articles and guides on key topics such as disease prevention, livestock health and preparing for farm visitors. Farmers can also download printable farm signage to help communicate biosecurity practices to visitors and employees.
Get involved
Whether you are a farmer, veterinarian, conservation partner, lender, feed supplier, inspector or agricultural service provider, these resources are designed to help you support strong animal health practices on farms throughout the region.
Keeping animals healthy doesn’t just protect one farm — it helps protect neighboring farms, rural communities and the future of Michigan agriculture. By attending these trainings and using the available resources, you can play an important role in helping Upper Peninsula farms stay healthy, resilient and productive for years to come.