Frankenmuth, Michigan – Michigan Agriculture Advancement’s 7th Annual Underground Innovations meeting will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4-5, 2025 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Hosted by MiAA and the KBS LTER. Network with producers from across Michigan and beyond to help take ideas home to implement on your own operations.
Speakers will share how they’ve come to adopt new practices on their farms, how they’ve gotten to this point, and where they are looking to go in the future. This year’s speakers will focus on conservation topics such as cover crops, prairie plantings, grazing, and strip-till. They’ll also discuss emerging crop markets in Michigan and growing food-grade grains. Jamie Scott is kicking off the event to talk all things cover crops. Kathy Sample from Argus Farm Stop will share their model of growing a local food economy and for Courtney Renton of the non-profit Proofing Station to share how they increase access to capital for small and mid-sized entities in the Midwest regional food and agriculture supply chain. MDARD’s Director Tim Boring will be attending both days and sharing his perspective on moving Michigan agriculture forward. For the full lineup of amazing speakers, see below (full agenda here)!
Admission is $150.00 which includes tickets into the event for both dates, lunch, drinks, and snacks. If cost is an issue, please reach out to Julie Doll (julie@miagadvance.org) to see if there are scholarships available. Registration closes January 21st! Tickets are not refundable; however, they can be transferred to a guest of your choice.
Room block available at Bavarian Inn Lodge through January 3, 2025. Reservations can be made by calling 1-855-652-7200 or online and mentioning Underground Innovations or a group code (13S02N).
CCA/RUP credits available for Michigan attendees!
AGENDA + SPEAKERS
Tuesday, Feb 4
- 10:00 – Welcome
- 10:15 – Jamie Scott, JA Scott Farm & Scott’s Cover Crops, LLC
- 11:15 – Kevin Messing, Sheridan Farms
- 12:15 – Lunch
- 1:30 – Carl Wagner III, C3 Seeds
- 2:30 – Courtney Renton, Proofing Station
- 3:00 – Networking
- 3:30 – Ty Spicher, Hood Family Dairy
- 4:30 pm – Adjourn, dinner on your own
- 7:00 pm – Optional gathering at Bavarian Inn Lodge, downstairs bar
Wednesday, Feb 5
- 8:00 – Director Tim Boring, MDARD
- 8:30 – Kathy Sample, Argus Farm Stop
- 9:00 – Mike and Lona Bronkema, Shady Side Farm
- 10:00 – Networking
- 10:30 – Jeff Bluemer, Bluemer Farms
- 11:30 – Rita Herford, Gentner-Bischer Farms
- 12:30 – Lunch
- 1:45 – Brent Robinson, Green Point Dairy
- 2:45 – Moving Michigan Ag Forward – Panel Discussion; moderated by Joel Layman
- 3:45 pm – Closing thoughts, adjourn