Roots, flowers and fresh ideas: A Michigan small farm tour series
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EmailSix Michigan farms. Six unique perspectives. Countless ideas to strengthen your own operation.
Some of the best lessons in agriculture are learned by walking through a farm, asking questions, and hearing firsthand how experienced producers have built successful businesses. This summer, the Michigan First-Generation Farmer Mentorship Program and the Michigan State University Extension floriculture team invite growers to explore six unique Michigan farms through a coordinated series of on-farm learning experiences. Together, the tours highlight the creativity, resilience and innovation that define successful farm businesses across the state.
Each visit combines guided farm tours with facilitated conversations that encourage participants to ask questions, share ideas, and learn directly from experienced producers. From regenerative ranching and specialty herbs to urban flower farming and diversified farm enterprises, the series offers practical insights that can inspire farmers at every stage of their journey.
Register for the Michigan First-Generation Farm Mentor Tour Series
Six farms. Six perspectives.
The path to a successful farm looks different for every operation. Throughout the summer, participants will visit six unique Michigan farms and explore how experienced producers have approached some of agriculture's most practical questions:
- How can regenerative ranching improve soil health and long-term farm resilience?
- What does it take to build a thriving farm around a distinctive niche?
- How can a flower farm succeed on less than one-eighth of an acre?
- What production and business decisions shape a growing flower operation?
- How can diversification create new opportunities for a farm business?
- How can community experiences create value beyond the products a farm grows?
While every farm is different, each stop offers practical ideas, honest conversations, and lessons that participants can adapt to their own operations.
Whitney Farmstead – Dexter, MI
Regenerative ranching and soil health
Discover how regenerative ranching is helping Whitney Farmstead build healthier soils and more resilient farming systems. Fifth-generation farmer Malaika Whitney will share how rotational grazing and thoughtful land stewardship influence everyday management decisions while participants tour the farm's pastures, livestock operation and maple syrup enterprise.
Hazelwood Flower Farm – Oakland Township, MI
Building a flower farm through community
Now entering its third growing season, Hazelwood Flower Farm offers an honest look at the early years of building a flower business. Kim Teoh will discuss the lessons, challenges and creative solutions that have shaped her operation while exploring how community experiences, floral design and on-farm events create value beyond the flowers themselves.
Twig End Farm – Flint, MI
Urban flower farming
How do you build a thriving flower business on less than one-eighth of an acre? Janie Case Beuthin will share how thoughtful planning, intensive production and direct-to-consumer marketing have transformed a small urban lot into a flourishing specialty cut flower farm serving the Flint community.
Heartwood Forest Farm – Cedar, MI
Finding your niche
Specialty herbs, value-added products, educational workshops, and strong customer relationships have helped Patti Travioli build a distinctive farm business in northern Michigan. Participants will explore how identifying a niche market can create new opportunities while touring the farm's herb gardens, production areas and pollinator habitat.
Leelanau Specialty Cut Flowers – Cedar, MI
Production and business decisions
Every successful flower farm is shaped by hundreds of everyday decisions. Michelle Shackleford will discuss how production practices, marketing strategies and business planning have guided the growth of her specialty cut flower operation while touring the fields and hoop houses where those decisions come to life.
Of The Land – Battle Creek, MI
Diversifying for resilience
Diversification has transformed Of The Land into a multifaceted farm business that combines vegetables, flowers, farm-to-table experiences, catering and community events. Trent Thompson will share how developing complementary enterprises has created new opportunities while strengthening the farm's connection to the surrounding community.
Cost and registration
All tour stops are free to attend, however advance registration is required to help us plan for each location. Participants may register for one or multiple tour dates through a single online registration process.
Register for the Michigan First-Generation Farm Mentor Tour Series
Program tour dates and locations are:
- Wednesday, August 5, 10 a.m. – Whitney Farmstead in Dexter, MI (Washtenaw County)
- Tuesday, August 11, 11 a.m. – Hazelwood Flower Farm – Oakland Township, MI (Oakland County)
- Tuesday, August 18, 11 a.m. – Twig End Farm in Flint, MI (Genessee County)
- Thursday, August 27, 11 a.m. – Heartwood Forest Farm in Cedar, MI (Leelanau County)
- Thursday, August 27, 1:30 p.m.– Leelanau Specialty Cut Flowers in Cedar, MI (Leelanau County)
- Thursday, September 10, 10 a.m. – Of The Land in Battle Creek, MI (Calhoun County)
Light refreshments will be available at each farm. Tours will last 2-3 hours. Attendance is limited to 35 participants per tour, so be sure to sign up early!
To learn more about the MSU Extension First-Generation Farmer Mentorship Program and other educational opportunities available through the program, visit the First-Generation Farmer Mentorship Program webpage.
