Virtual MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference returns for sixth year with focus on food and livestock production
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EmailA virtual experience offering nearly 35 educational sessions with knowledge and resources for farmers, landowners and those interested in food and agricultural production.
Michigan State University Extension will host the MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference Feb. 23 through March 6, 2026. Heading into its sixth year of the program, we are proud of the wide range of educational opportunities provided through this conference. By offering this program virtually, attendees from across the Great Lakes region can hear from experts in a wide range of topics and take advantage of this unique educational offering.
The MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference features nearly 35 educational sessions across two weeks with topics focused on:
- Agrivoltaics – growing grass, alfalfa hay or commercial vegetables in solar projects; an introduction to solar grazing with inverter cattle; and lessons learned from one Michigan sheep producer grazing sheep in a solar project.
- Animal agriculture – beekeeping, poultry production for beginners, feeding and housing horses in the winter, and animal health care and when to call the vet.
- Beginning farmer – starting a good business, financial tools, farm-to-school, financial fundamentals, farm diversification, beginning farmer curriculum, marketing channels and strategies, farm link movement, farm-to-family, crop insurance 101.
- Fruits – what’s eating my fruit, an intro to growing strawberries, and strawberry in-season management.
- Field crop production – innovative agronomy tool, soil health testing options, intermediate wheatgrass, and open-pollinated corn.
- Food preservation – canning, selling honey and maple syrup, making jam and jelly, Michigan cottage food law.
- Irrigation
- Vegetables – primer for pumpkins, how-to for herbs, top tomato tips and the basics of brassicas.
“Michigan is blessed with an incredibly diverse agricultural industry,” Cheyenne Sloan, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator in Kalamazoo County, said. “No matter the level of experience, there’s a session for everyone—from practical tools for new farmers to specialized knowledge for seasoned professionals.”
Due to the generous support of MSU Extension and event sponsors, AgriStrategies LLC and Consumers Energy, this event is offered to participants at no cost. However, attendees must register to receive the necessary Zoom links. With free registration, you will gain access to attend as many sessions as you want and even switch between tracks, making it easy to tailor the conference to your needs and interests.
Register for MI Ag Ideas to Grow With
Restricted use pesticide and certified crop adviser credits will be offered for several of the sessions. More information can be found at Mi Ag Ideas to Grow With.
