Register now for the inaugural Agritourism Summit and Farm Tour, featuring educational sessions and networking opportunities.

If you’re a Michigan farmer, municipal official, agritourism business or other community leader with an interest in rural entrepreneurship and economic development, this groundbreaking event is for you.

Tourism contributed $3.1 billion to the state in 2022* and agriculture generates nearly $105 billion annually**, yet Michigan farmers are still struggling financially. These two industries both drive revenue and provide jobs for the state, but we must find the right balance between helping farmers thrive and bolstering local economic development, while preserving our rural and agricultural character.

Combining agriculture and tourism on a single farm property provides significant economic opportunity for both the farmer and the local municipality. This collaborative summit aims to plant seeds for future growth which can create a resilient, sustainable and more viable agritourism industry for generations to come.

Pre-Summit Farm Tour and Welcome Soirée: Tuesday, May 7th
Leaving from Hotel Indigo (Traverse City) at 9:00am and returning at 7:00pm
The pre-summit farm tour includes visits to multiple agritourism operations in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties including Jacobs Farm; Leelanau Cheese (awarded Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in Spain for their Raclette); 9 Bean Rows Farmstead, Café, Bakery, and CSA; Tandem Ciders’s production facility; and ends at Farm Club for the Welcome Soirée. The tour includes round-trip coach transportation, lunch at 9 Bean Rows, and on-site food and beverage samples. The Farm Club Welcome Soirée features two complimentary drink tickets, appetizers, and networking.

What is “heirs property?”
Heirs property is land passed down through a family, often over multiple generations and to numerous descendants, without the use of wills or determination by probate courts. Heirs of the original owner can possess and use the property with equal claim regardless of the size of their factional title interest in the land. But without proper documentation or clear title, owners can’t sell the property, borrow against it or qualify for federal farm loans or disaster relief. These complications can strain family relationships and make farmland vulnerable to partition and sale — often at below-market prices — and removed from farm and forest use. Because Black landowners disproportionately hold it, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has called heirs property the leading cause of Black involuntary land loss. In North Carolina, the value of land owned as heirs property is estimated at nearly $1.9 billion (Conservation Trust for North Carolina, 2023). Although no one is immune to the vulnerability of losing their land to a forced partition action, this issue disproportionately impacts Black, Indigenous, and People of Color throughout North Carolina. This platform will help navigate and continue to seek innovative solutions to address these issues at the community level in North Carolina.

The Heirs Property Program at North Carolina A&T State University is holding an Heirs Property Summit in Robeson County. Workshops will cover the origin and history of heirs property, inform participants about estate planning and legal strategies to secure their land, and connect them with resources and other technical assistance, including a panel of people who have dealt with heirs property issues.

LET’S GROW HOPE TOGETHER!
We can’t wait to host you for NCAT’s fourth annual national conference. This conference will provide you with the practical tools to build more resilient farms, ranches, and communities, as well as the opportunity to connect with other likeminded producers and resource providers.

Our pre-conference farm tours will feature local farm operations that nurture innovative agroecosystems. During the conference, NCAT agriculture specialists, subject matter experts, and farmers from around the country will lead detailed how-to sessions on appropriate technology, climate adaptation, land stewardship, and regenerative farm businesses.

Questions? Email Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org

Targeted grazing has offered the US sheep industry an opportunity to grow and capitalize on our sustainable grazing practices. The American Lamb Board is excited to offer an in depth education workshop for producers to assist in their success and promote industry growth.

Vegetation management for Solar arrays, vineyards, and fire suppression are the content areas for the 3-day intensives offered across the country.

Producers interested in grazing Solar arrays will receive an American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) certification upon course completion.

Join farmers and ranchers in Clearwater, MN, as part of the national Enough Is Enough Tour. This event, organized by the American Grassfed Association and hosted at Thousand Hills Farm, calls on members of Congress to level the playing field for all food producers by addressing the challenges posed by current government policies and checkoff programs. Be part of the movement that fights against the consolidation of the food system into the hands of large multinational corporations at the expense of our local farmers and ranchers.

To register, click and fill out THIS FORM.

The NC State Ruminant Medicine Service invites owners, breeders, and producers to attend the 2024 Small Ruminant Husbandry Owner Workshop

Please join us at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for continuing education regarding small ruminant husbandry! This full day learning experience is targeted towards small ruminant (sheep and goat) and camelid owners, breeders, and producers. Our amazing clinicians will provide 50-minute lectures on critical topics relating to small ruminant and camelid husbandry.

Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please come and join us!

Registration
Registration for this event is $60.00 and includes workshop notes, breakfast and lunch!

Schedule
Time Topic Presenter
7:00 – 7:45 AM Registration and Breakfast
8:00 – 8:05 AM Welcome Jennifer Halleran, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
8:05 – 8:55 AM Gastrointestinal Parasites Siena Mitman, DVM, MPH
9:05 – 9:55 AM Gastrointestinal Parasites Treatment and Management Sarah Goss, DVM
9:55 – 10:10 AM Break
10:10 – 11:00 AM Small Ruminant Nutrition Andrew Weaver, DMS, PhD
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM Pasture Management Johnny Rogers, BS, MS
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 – 1:50 PM Most Common Emergencies Blanca Camacho, DVM
2:00 – 2:50 PM Geriatric Goat and Sheep Care Sarah Goss, DVM
2:50 – 3:05 PM Break
3:05 – 3:55 PM Camelid Husbandry Sarah Goss, DVM
4:05 – 4:55 PM Medication and Antimicrobial Use Jennifer Halleran, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

About the workshops

Targeted grazing has offered the US sheep industry an opportunity to grow and capitalize on our sustainable grazing practices. The American Lamb Board is excited to offer an in depth education workshop for producers to assist in their success and promote industry growth.

Vegetation management for Solar arrays, vineyards, and fire suppression are the content areas for the 3-day intensives offered across the country.

Producers interested in grazing Solar arrays will receive an American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) certification upon course completion.

Roxboro, North Carolina
May 20th-22nd
Registration Fee: $200
* Includes: Lunch & Refreshments

Lodging:
Hampton Inn
336-599-8800
Room rate: $149

Join farmers and ranchers in Osseo, WI as part of the national Enough Is Enough Tour. This event, organized by the Wisconsin Farmers Union, calls on members of Congress to level the playing field for all food producers by addressing the challenges posed by current government policies and checkoff programs. Be part of the movement that fights against the consolidation of the food system into the hands of large multinational corporations at the expense of our local farmers and ranchers.

For more details and to register, visit LINK

Join farmers and ranchers in Nicodemus, KS, as part of the national Enough Is Enough Tour. This event, organized by the Kansas Black Farmers Association, calls on members of Congress to level the playing field for all food producers by addressing the challenges posed by current government policies and checkoff programs. Be part of the movement that fights against the consolidation of the food system into the hands of large multinational corporations at the expense of our local farmers and ranchers.

For more details and to register, visit LINK

Join farmers and ranchers in Columbiana, OH, as part of the national Enough Is Enough Tour. This event, organized by the Buckeye Quality Beef Association, Ohio Farmers Union, and Pennsylvania Farmers Union, calls on members of Congress to level the playing field for all food producers by addressing the challenges posed by current government policies and checkoff programs. Be part of the movement that fights against the consolidation of the food system into the hands of large multinational corporations at the expense of our local farmers and ranchers.

Join farmers and ranchers in Guntersville, AL, as part of the national Enough Is Enough Tour. This event, organized by the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association, Competitive Markets Action, and the Organization for Competitive Markets, calls on members of Congress to level the playing field for all food producers by addressing the challenges posed by current government policies and checkoff programs. Be part of the movement that fights against the consolidation of the food system into the hands of large multinational corporations at the expense of our local farmers and ranchers.