Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Farming, Ranching, ForestryWisconsin, United States11-50 Employees

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has focused on soil health and regenerative practices since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, the Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of research, education, and policy programs and initiatives. 

Rooted in our research farm near East Troy, Wisconsin, MFAI facilitates a number of farmer-centered peer networks that coalesce around particular practices, interests, and demographics, such as Wisconsin Women in Conservation, Milwaukee Urban Agriculture Network, WI Grazing Coalition, WI Cover Crop Data Network, and the Staple Crops Cohort. These are all great opportunities for growers and educators to connect. 

MFAI also advances regenerative systems through partnership work around particular projects, like the Soil Health Alliance for Research and Engagement (SHARE), Midwest Hemp Research Collaborative, KernzaCAP, Perennial Crop Supply Chain Partnership, and the Showcasing Agroforestry in SE Wisconsin program. 

In the broad regenerative agriculture ecosystem, MFAI plays a connective role supporting partners at the intersection of primary agronomic research, citizen science, farmer outreach, consumer education, market development, economic analysis, policy advocacy, and issue organizing. 

Every year, MFAI hosts over 50 in-person field days, learning circles, summits, and online live webinars. See Events at michaelfields.org/event-list and visit our YouTube channel @MichaelFieldsAg

The Institute was founded by German immigrants in 1984 as a biodynamic community of soil lovers and a “farm school without walls” in East Troy, though we have gradually expanded our scope. Our work was, and is, to inspire and empower love and care for land through peer connection, on-farm science, educational outreach, and farmer-led advocacy. We’re still here for farmers, planting seeds together for a regenerative future.

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