CULTIVATEGROWTH GRANT:

Despite understanding the importance of continuous learning and staying relevant on changing farm practices, sometimes setting aside extra time and dollars for education isn’t always an option for young, beginning, or small producers. To help alleviate some of the financial burden, GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grant commits up to $40,000 each year to offset the costs of these important opportunities.

Young, beginning, and small farmers who qualify can use up to $1,000 grants toward:

• farm or business consultations

• educational courses and seminars

• resource-focused events or conferences

• first-time use of GreenStone’s tax and accounting services.

Like Andrew Smith, many have taken advantage of the grant and have utilized it to participate in a variety of activities to gain more insight and knowledge.

For instance, when Andrew and his wife purchased their farm property in 2020, they knew improvements needed to be done to create a more sustainable and nutrient-rich soil. That’s where

GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grant came into play. It allowed Andrew the opportunity to attend regenerative agriculture class and provide valuable information on how they could make the necessary changes to their farm to help them reach their goals. The regenerative agriculture class covered the relevant topics for him on rotational grazing, the microorganisms in soil, the best grasses to plant based on location, and how to measure soil health progress. For Andrew, the grant and course were a turning point in the improvement process of his farm’s soil.

iResources to Keep in Mind:

Despite summer days being longer, there never seems to be enough time to get the million-and-one things done between planting and harvest. Like many farmers, you probably won’t be caught behind a desk if the sun’s shining – meaning the business-side of your operation isn’t getting the attention it may require. Fortunately, finding time to tackle the less-appealing, potentially intimidating side of being a business owner can be made a little easier when you’re working with the right resources: edu/agdm

• Ag Decision Maker: Providing updates on current trends, industry challenges and connecting you with valuable farm finance information, Iowa University Extension’s Ag Decision Maker online resource delivers the information you need when you need it. Stay in touch with upcoming farm management events, Farm Bill updates and more by visiting www.extension.iastate.

“My biggest takeaway from the class was the idea that rotational grazing is the fastest way to improve soil health; I really wanted to learn how to quickly regenerate my soil for the health of my current livestock,” explained Andrew.

The grant provides up to $1,000 to current customers and up to $500 to non-GreenStone customers. Individuals like Andrew who qualify as a young, beginning, or small farmer are encouraged to apply for the grant today: www.greenstonefcs.com/ cultivategrowth ■

• Field Crops Virtual Breakfast: Start your day with coffee and crop management during Michigan State University Extension’s Virtual Breakfast Series. Every Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. ET from April to September, attendees will hear a weather outlook report and have a chance to ask experts questions on the current topic. Watch previous episodes or register to join upcoming webinars at www.canr.msu.edu/field_crops/virtualbreakfast

• Michigan Farm News – Dollars and Sense: Monthly articles covering farm finance topics, tips on tax planning and expert advice from lenders at GreenStone are a valuable resource for all farmers, especially ones just beginning. Check out May’s article, Understanding Your Farm's Balance Sheet online at michiganfarmnews. com or greenstonefcs.com ■