ESCANABA — Michigan State University Extension is hosting the 14th annual Agriculture for Tomorrow conference on March 11, to help U.P. farmers stay informed, up-to-date and profitable.

The conference will open with a talk from Michigan Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Dr. James Averill on “Michigan Ag: Today and Tomorrow.” Participants can attend their choice of four, concurrent breakout sessions. Topics will include opportunities for veterans in agriculture, managing forages in adverse conditions, backyard poultry, USDA-inspected mobile slaughter unit, on-farm food processing, MSU U.P. crop trial results, beekeeping, native pollinators, sheep health management, growing for your local farm market, wildlife damage management, beef cattle health, indigenous agriculture and food sovereignty, farm transportation issues, backyard apples, and the USDA livestock price risk program.

Several commercial and educational exhibitors will be on hand. A full lunch will be catered by the Bay College staff.

MSU Extension U.P. livestock educator Frank Wardynski says, “This conference is a local, low-cost opportunity for farmers of all kinds and sizes to get together and learn. It’s a great day off the farm toward the end of a long U.P. winter.”

Agriculture for Tomorrow will be at Bay College, Heirman University Center, 2001 N. Lincoln road, Escanaba. The early registration cost is $25 before March 4, or $35 after that date, and includes lunch and materials. For more information about the Agriculture for Tomorrow conference or to register, visit https://events.anr.msu.edu/agfortomorrow2020/.

Contact Jim Isleib at 906-387-2530 or isleibj@msu.edu with any questions.