Michigan to Host National Conference on Disability in Agriculture

Jan 16, 2026

By Samantha Wolfe

The annual AgrAbility National Training Workshop (NTW), the premier conference addressing issues of disability in agriculture, will take place March 16-19, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan. Hosted at the Park Place Hotel and Conference Center downtown, the four-day event will bring together more than 200 Extension professionals, farmers and ranchers, veterans, rehabilitation specialists, rural health providers and agricultural stakeholders from across the country to share knowledge, build capacity and strengthen support networks for producers with disabilities and functional limitations. Several Michigan State University Extension educators will be among the presenters.

The AgrAbility National Training Workshop aims to empower professionals and agricultural participants through practical education, opportunities for networking and collaboration, and resources that enhance service delivery and independence in agricultural work through two days of breakout sessions, programming, and optional tours visiting client farms and other local agricultural and food production operations.

Source : msu.edu

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.