Mi Farm Network’s Developing Core Initiative Pillar

Supports youth who show interest in agriculture but face barriers to involvement. The program opens access to real opportunities for learning, field experience, and participation that helps them find their interested direction and purpose within the agricultural community. 

Connects begaining farmers and homesteaders with experienced mentors. Participants gain knowledge, build practical skills, and grow confidence while exploring adaptable practices that support sustainable farming, problem-solving, and learning tailored to their individual goals. 

Partnering students with local farms or agricultural educators to explore farming practices, soil sustainability, and food preservation. Students gain a better understanding of where their food comes from and how.  It opens doors to agricultural careers, healthier lifestyles, and care for the land. 

Provides instruction in harvesting, processing, and preparing whole foods directly from farm and garden sources. Participants learn correct handling, seasonal use, and preservation methods that extend food value and support healthy self‑reliance that strengthens skills, health, and food security. 

Encourages care and respect for the natural world through Indigenous and Amish teachings. Participants learn how lifestyle and behavior choices affect soil, water, air, and habitat, and how responsible choices protect the living systems that sustain the community. 

Tours guide participants through natural wildlife areas to identify and gather wild edible and medicinal plants. Each tour teaches proper recognition, respectful harvest, and safe practical use, restoring an understanding of the needed respect to native resources and connection to the earth.

Centers on naturopathic living by teaching natural healing methods, plant‑based nutrition, herbal remedies drawn from traditional wellness practices. The program supports a holistic approach, emphasizing balance, vitality, and practical care using natural resources in everyday life. 

Participants engage in hands-on artisan skills taught using age-old traditions, the techniques from Indigenous and Amish practices, using natural or repurposed materials. These age-old traditions promote life skills for self-sufficiency by crafting practical items for everyday living. 

Builds farm to community pathways that turn surplus harvest into shared nutrition and dignity. Participants take part in collecting, preparing, and distributing local food to reduce waste, strengthen community health, and ensure families have access to quality nourishment. 

Volunteers are ready in each zone of Michigan to help farms when emergency needs arise, and extra assistance is required, due to extremes such as environmental damage or the need to take leave to care for a loved one, causing an excess of farm work that must still be completed. 

An easy-access equipment sharing program provides tools and machinery through a check-out system. Farmers would have access to equipment ranging from small hand tools to larger farm machinery, either for direct use or an operator-provided, depending on skill level. 

We lend collaboration and resources to an Indigenous-led hub honoring and teaching their ancestral traditions in food, land care, life skills, and equine handling and care. Youth will engage in hands-on learning, culminating in a long-distance equine ride relying on foraging and goods they grew.