The Beginning Farmer Field Day will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center in Hart. This event is being hosted by the Oceana Conservation District, Oceana County Farm Bureau, and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. Organizers will be bringing a jam-packed day full of information for new or beginning farmers, small farmers, homesteaders or those wanting to add new crops to their farm. Experts from across West Michigan will present on important topics like irrigation, pest and disease scouting, food safety, community food systems and farm business. There will also be short, in-depth sessions on the production of: 1) vegetables, 2) fruit, 3) Christmas trees and 4) chestnuts. These sessions are divided into stations, and attendees can pick two sessions to attend.
Presenters will provide hands-on experiences with demonstrations inside and in the field. They will also discuss important topics such as pollinator habitat, soil health, and protection of soil, water, wildlife and forests. Attendees will also hear from local agricultural agencies and organizations that serve this community, such as USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA – Farm Service Agency, Oceana Conservation District, MSU Extension, West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Oceana County Farm Bureau.
The Beginning Farmer Field Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $20 per person, which includes a catered lunch, hat, and handouts. Pre-register at http://bit.ly/3I4Xvez
For questions or more information, please contact Lynda Herremans at Lynda.herremans@macd.org or Emily Lavely at lavelyem@msu.edu. Organizers look forward to seeing all those who are able to attend.
