News from The Institute

As we close in on the final hours of our 2025 Annual Appeal, it's a privilege to share testimonies and impact stories from our supporters. Do you have a story about how the work of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute has impacted you or your community? DONATE HERE to fund 2026 programs and leave us a note about why you give. We are grateful to have the support of ground-breaking grazier and no-till crop farmer Ron Schoepp, of Schoepp Farms in Lodi, WI. Ron is one of the c

A prize for You and You and You and You! UPDATE: In addition to the prizes pictured above and listed below, we're adding TWO more prizes to the Year-End Donor Appreciation Drawing. Nature's Niche Farm has given a package of six pastured Chicken Legs, and April Prusia of Dorothy's Range has given two "Praise the Lard" Soaps, made from her pastured heritage hogs, and a pair of Leaf Earrings made from hog leather. Many thanks to our farmer friends who have generously offered the

By MFAI Policy Fellow Dr. Success Okafor This week, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a January 15 national batching deadline for its major conservation programs. While the compressed timeline presents challenges, it also opens important funding opportunities for farmers prepared to invest in conservation and regenerative practices. Whether you’re exploring conservation programs for the first time or expanding existing practices, now is a great ti

By Policy Fellow Dr. Success Okafor and Executive Director Ryan Martin The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out $12 billion in bridge payments for farmers facing trade disruptions and financial pressures. Bridge payments are temporary emergency funds intended to help producers cover losses during sudden market challenges. T hat's welcome news for producers who've been struggling, but how this money actually gets distributed will make all the differenc

Dr. Success Okafor has begun work as a Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Policy Fellow focused on regenerative systems. Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is thrilled to announce that Dr. Success Okafor has joined the staff team as a Policy Fellow, working alongside Policy Director Chuck Anderas. Success received his PhD from North Carolina A&T State University, where his research examined how underserved farmers engage with innovative agricultural systems. His work l

Thank you to all who have already sent donations to Michael Fields Agricultural Institute this Giving Tuesday. It's so fun to spend a day celebrating the stories of non-profit impact, of generous giving, and of community solidarity. I truly look forward to this day every year - as a donor and supporter, and as an activist and organizer who's been blessed by many non-profit partners and collaborators across the ag and environmental sectors. But this year, I'm behind the steeri

Click HERE to donate to our 2025 Annual Appeal! Are you tired of today's incessant ads for things you don't need? Let’s flip the script on the buying frenzy of Black Friday! What if we started a practice of “Fund the Future You Want Friday” instead? Let's take all the cozy feelings of this long weekend, enhanced by the turkey/dessert dopamine flush, and curl up on the couch to watch games or movies while we scroll for non-profits doing the work we care about. Then let's fu

A new video series was recently released by The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) to help farmers establish Kernza in their farm portfolios. The first video in the series features Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's Research Director Dr. Nicole Tautges, and includes a cameo of our Research Technician Nolan Burkard. This video describes in detail how to set up your seed drill for planting Kernza and the best techniques for getting good germination in the Upper Midwest. Chec

When Michelle Cannon first started farming in 2008, she had no background in agriculture, just the sense that her community needed more...

When Michelle Cannon first started farming in 2008, she had no background in agriculture, just the sense that her community needed more...

How Food Grade Grains Can Fit into Midwest Farm and Food Systems Free Webinar | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT If...

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is urging fellow farmers and farm advocates to speak up in opposition to planned changes at the...

What's a spike-to-fork field day? Glad you asked! A "spike" is the infloresence of a cereal head - the flower, really, that shoots up...

Join us at Four Winds Farm on Friday, August 15, from 5:30-9:30pm to celebrate a decade of advancing soil health and clean water through...

Request for Proposals: Light Renovation Work on Equipment Shed The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is seeking proposals from...

September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026 Contractor, Remote - $3,500.00 monthly THIS POSITION IS NOW FILLED Michael Fields Agricultural...

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute seeks a skilled videographer or media production team to shoot and produce a series of short,...

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is seeking a new partner site in Milwaukee County to host a publicly visible,...

Our take on the impact of the proposed federal "Big Beautiful Bill" Act on farmers.

What we think is ugly in the Big Beautiful Bill