News

Michigan land linking site goes statewide

A new online platform will help better connect farmland to beginning farmers in Michigan.

“Our biggest hurdle is making sure we do have properties listed on the site.”

MiFarmLink Coordinator Sam Stokes tells Brownfield smaller parcels can be just as attractive to beginning farmers who might not have the capital for a large investment.

“Most beginning farmers don’t need or want 100 acres, so many people who are getting into farming right now are wanting to do market vegetables, regenerative agriculture,” she shares.

Stokes says the goal of MiFarmLink is to make sure farmland stays in agriculture and additional resources are meant to support a vibrant ag community.

“There are resources on how to write grants, there are resources to learn how to write a business plan or do value-added products,” she explains.

Stokes says some of the current listings are turnkey businesses or from farmers wanting to serve as mentors to new owners through a transition processes.

The MiFarmLink project previously supported land-linking efforts in northern and west Michigan and is now housed within the Washtenaw County Conservation District with support from private foundations to connect farmers statewide.