The USDA is asking for the public’s opinions and suggestions about how best to transform agriculture to both increase production and reduce its impact on the environment.  The agency specifically sought input on four priority areas, but comments on other areas are also encouraged. MFAI’s Policy Director was invited by three groups – the National Sustainable […]

The School for Urban Agriculture (SUA) is a collaborative effort of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) and Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), Rooted (formerly the Center for Resilient Cities and Community GroundWorks), and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI). Back in 2018, MFAI was involved with SUA to assist […]

The staff and board of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) strongly condemn the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the countless other historic acts of violence, death and racism that have oppressed and held our Black and all communities of color in physical, emotional and spiritual bondage. MFAI stands in solidarity and […]

The Institute is delighted to introduce Alejandra Hernandez, who will begin July 1 as MFAI’s Conservation Policy Associate. Alejandra recently completed her Masters Degree in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, with a specialty in Ecosystems and Landscape Conservation and Management (ELCM). Previously, Alejandra worked for several years in Milwaukee […]

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide direct relief to producers who have suffered losses during the 2020 marketing year due to COVID-19. About the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance […]

The Institute has been involved in efforts nationally to support farmers and local food systems through the Coronavirus funds.  But as this letter (below) to the editor of the New York Times points out, farmworkers are in a uniquely vulnerable position, while being crucial to the nation’s health and nutrition through COVID (and always).  MFAI […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages people and groups wanting to protect agricultural lands and grasslands to consider enrolling their property into conservation easements. The 2018 Farm Bill has provided USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with technical and financial assistance to help private landowners, tribes, land trusts, and other groups protect these valuable […]

Farmers across the Midwest went to the mat with climate change this year, from a cold and wet spring that slowed or prevented planting, to severe storms that damaged fields and roads, to a soggy fall that impeded harvests, and a lot in between.  Michael Fields Agricultural Institute believes that government action is urgently needed to […]

Applications are due by 12:00 PM on Friday, February 28, 2020. The Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) program seeks to increase awareness and consumption of locally produced foods and related products and to increase the production and improve the distribution of foods and related products for local consumption. The Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Grant program […]

On January 8, Wisconsin State Representatives Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) introduced a bill whose measures derive from the testimony received as part of 14 hearings conducted in summer of 2019 as co-chairs of the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality. The bill proposes $200,000/year to support a pilot program similar to […]

Tell USDA to Finalize the 2015 Origin of Livestock Rule to Close Organic Dairy Loopholes and Maintain High Organic Integrity Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is asking all certified organic farmers to stand with U.S. certified organic dairy farmers and submit comments to the USDA in support of a strong final Origin of Livestock Rule (OOL). […]

MFAI’s Policy Director Margaret Krome attended the town hall meeting held by USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue earlier this month at the World Dairy Expo in Madison. Among his comments, Perdue answered a question about the loss of small to medium-sized dairy farms in the state, prompting a national discussion about the farm crisis, […]

Dear Industrial Agriculture, It’s been a great experiment – a social, political, climatic, public health, and agricultural experiment, but I think it’s time for us to break up. A lot has changed, and I don’t think we’re a good fit for each other anymore. We had our “Get big or get out” moment in the […]

All farmers are eligible to contact Farm Center staff consultants through the Farm Center Helpline at 1-800-942-2474. All of the Farm Center’s services are free and confidential. The Wisconsin Farm Center works with farmers one-on-one to provide free and confidential services, including: • farm financial consulting • farm succession planning • farm business entry or […]

The annual farm-supporting musical and cultural extravaganza that is Farm Aid came to MFAI’s doorstep this month. Last Thursday, advocates from around the nation gathered in Lake Geneva for a day of exploring topics as diverse as empowerment histories of many Peoples of Color in this country to the ongoing farm crisis to the history […]

“Last week, MFAI submitted comments to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection pertaining to the Department’s proposed revisions to Rule ATCP 51, the Livestock Siting Rule. The Livestock Siting Law that passed in 2006 required the law and the corresponding rule to be subject to review and public comment every four years. […]

NSAC is seeking a Policy Director and a Conservation Policy Specialist to join its collaborative team in Washington, DC. NSAC works to build a more sustainable, equitable farm and food system through advocating for federal policy reform with our grassroots membership of nearly 130 member organizations. Interested in applying? Find position descriptions and application instructions […]

Wisconsin’s Livestock Siting law passed over a decade ago, and although it and the rules to implement it are supposed to be subject to periodic review by technical advisors and the public, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture has never previously held public hearings as the law specifies.  But last month, the state Board of Agriculture approved […]

Farm Aid board artists Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Photo © Marc Hauser Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host a Farm Aid festival to bring together a wide variety of artists, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on […]

Photo: No more cows are milked in the old dairy barn on the Hardie family farm. by Chris Hardie/for Agriview A friend once described the most traumatic experience of her life. It wasn’t an assault, an accident or even any physical injury. As a child, her father was laid off as an air traffic controller […]

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute researchers have long conducted research on farming practices that build healthy, biologically active soils, and our policy team has supported policies that create incentives for their inclusion in farming systems. A recent opinion piece in the on-line news group Food Tank speaks to the many reasons healthy soils matter so much […]

“It’s been an honor to serve the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition,” said Margaret Krome, MFAI’s Policy Director, as she ended her ten-month stint as Interim Coalition Director July 15, with just one trip to Washington, D.C. remaining to help her successor, Sarah Hackney, transition into her job. “Sarah brings a wealth of experience with the […]

You are invited to Southwest Wisconsin for a rich exploration of why small grains like wheat, barley, oats and rye matter.  Join us on Meadowlark Farm, Ridgeway, WI on Sunday, June 30, from 10:30 to 3:00.  Take Exit 52 off of US Hwy 18/151, then follow the signs to the nearby farm. We will tour […]

My sustainable agriculture story: Margaret Krome Margaret Krome joins a list of inspiring women in celebrating the collaborative spirit of women farmers, the sharing of ideas, and championing women farmers in the sustainable and organic farming movement.  Margaret she shares the inspiring story of her journey to becoming a national leader in sustainable agriculture policy.  […]

After six months of reviewing scores of applications, conducting formal phone interviews with seven candidates from every region of the nation and in-person interviews with four final candidates, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Organizational Council announced last week that they unanimously voted to hire Sarah Hackney as NSAC’s new Coalition Director and that she has accepted.  […]