By Andi Anderson
Farmers, agricultural professionals, growers, and community members will gather in Oceana County, Michigan, for the annual Farming For The Future Field Day, an educational event focused on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable farming practices.
The event will be held on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Michigan State University AgBioResearch West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center in Hart, Michigan. It is being organized through a partnership between the Oceana Conservation District, MSU Extension, and the Oceana County Farm Bureau. Support for the program is being provided through a Regenerative Agriculture Education and Outreach Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The field day is designed to help farmers learn practical methods that support long-term agricultural sustainability while improving farm productivity and resilience. Participants will gain valuable knowledge about regenerative farming systems that can improve soil quality and strengthen environmental stewardship.
Educational sessions will focus on important topics such as orchard ground cover management and integrated pest management practices. These approaches can help improve soil health, increase farm efficiency, support profitable production, and reduce environmental impacts.
Attendees will also receive hands-on guidance on conducting soil health assessments. Learning how to evaluate soil conditions can help growers make informed decisions about crop management and conservation practices. In addition, local fruit buyers will discuss sustainability and regenerative agriculture programs that are becoming increasingly important within agricultural supply chains.
A major attraction of the event will be the live demonstrations of modern farming technologies. Participants will have the opportunity to see innovative equipment in action, including electric weeders and roller crimpers. These tools are designed to support regenerative production systems while reducing dependence on conventional inputs.
The program will also feature demonstrations of drone technology used for cover crop seeding in asparagus fields. Alternative orchard mowing equipment will be showcased as another example of practices that can improve efficiency while supporting sustainable production goals.
Growers attending the event will learn about the Regenerative Pear Grower Network and explore available resources that can assist with implementing regenerative practices on their farms. These opportunities can help producers adopt new methods that improve soil health and enhance long-term farm performance.
The event is free to attend and includes a catered lunch for registered participants. Organizers encourage interested attendees to register before Aug. 10.
By bringing together experts, growers, and industry partners, the Farming For The Future Field Day aims to promote innovation, strengthen soil health, and encourage sustainable farming practices that will benefit agriculture for years to come.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-nes
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture