Announcements
When: August 14-15, 2009
Where: The event will take place at Morgan Composting 4353 U.S. 10 Sears, MI 49679.
Why: Friday August 14, feature's information on soil management of field crops, and Saturday August 15, feature's information on soil management of vegetables.
Pleasant Hill Farm, near Saugatuck, is seeking one more intern for the month of August. Apprentice must be able to lift forty pounds of blueberrie repeatedly as he/she will be leading 5-7tons of blueberries by the end of the day. Room and board plus a small stipend available. If interested call 269-561-2850 or email sparrowmi@verison.net.
Farmers, owners of food-related businesses or those aspiring to enter the industry are eligiable to apply for grants from the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP). Applicants must produce food as a living (not as a hobby) for local markets in Southeast Michigan and established food coops may apply as a group. Grant amounts will range between $500 to $2,000.
The deadline for applications is July 13, 2009. Funding for these grants is made possible from the Michigan Regional Skills Alliance (MIRSA) of Michigan's Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG) and will be distributed by FSEP.
The grant brochure containing the application form and instructions can be found at:
http://fsepmichigan.org/news/Grant_Opportunity
Over the last couple of years, MIFMA and MIFFS have been working on the MDA to develop guidelines for safe food sampling at Michigan farmers markets. A new MDA document does just that! Please see: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/MDA_FdSmplngFarmMkts5-09_279110_7.pdf to learn more about how vendors at farmers markets may provide food samples.
This will be a fundraiser for the Michigan Evnirothon Program; Envirothon is a non-profit statewide environmental competition that gives high school students outdoor, hands on experience with nature, agriculture and the ecology that surrounds it. These are the young adults who will be the next scientist, foresters, wildlife biologist and farmers. For more information on Envirothon and to learn how to get involved locally visit www.michiganenvirothon.org or contact Ginger Bardenhagen, Sustainable Stoup Competition Committee Chair Michigan Dept of Agriculture Conservation Programs Unit Field Staff 517-930-2121 or bardenhageng@michigan.gov.
Participants needed to join planning committees, help find sponsors or help to market that even to potential competitors and attendees, or donating a prize for our winners.
The poster, designed by local Michigan artist Linda Sprout Broughton, is nearing completion. What is it missing is your sponsorship logo! If you are considering sponsorship for this event, it’s important to make sure that your logo is on our marketing flyer and poster. For more information on sponsorship check out the link.
6. Attention!!! The 2nd Annual Organic Reporting Session Materials are Now Posted Online
If you missed the session or need another copy of the literature view those by clicking on the Organic Reporting Session tab. Topics include: Organic Marketing and Outreach, Organic Vegetables, Organic Soil Health, Pest Management, and Organic Fruit.
7. Bids are now being accepted for the Mainstee Area Summer Food Service Program.
This bid request is for products and delivery for the 2009/2010 school year. Manistee Area Public Schools is also accepting bids for products for this summer's Food Service Program. Contact information for the food service directors involved in this project is included in the cover letter, which you can obtain by clicking on the link above. Please feel free to contact them to discuss this opportunity.
Events for Michigan Organic Farmers
1. Tentative Schedule for the Mid-Michigan Grazing Group
July 15: Pasture Walk at Berry Farm in Mason, MI. Grass-fed beef production and management-intensive grazing.
August 19: Grand Opening of the new Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center at MSU Kellogg Biological Station
September (TBD): Organically managed pastures, grass-based dairy (Ionia County, MI)
October (TBD): Grazing cover crops (red clover, peas, oats, others) (Ingham County, MI)
November-December (TBD): late-season grazing options: TBD
2. MSU Student Organic Farm Tours 2009
When: July 20, 6-7:30pm, August 20, 5:30-7pm, September 8, 3-4:30pm, October 12, 3-4:30pm, November 16, 3-4pm, December 3, 5-6pm (CSA Distribution included.
Where: Michigan State University Student Organic Farm 3291 College Road, Holt, MI 48842
Why: Join MSU Student Organic Farm’s Outreach Coordinator, Adam Montri, for an informal tour of the fields, hoophouses, CSA distribution room, transplant greenhouse, and more with plenty of opportunities to ask questions about all parts of the Student Organic Farm.
How: There is no charge for these tours due to funding from the USDA Rick Management Agency. Please email Adam at admontri@msu.ed to register.
3. Organic Tour to the ‘Thumb’ of Michigan 2009
When: July 8, 2009, 7:00 am-6:15 pm
Where: Meeting place: In Mason: near the garden center of the Meijer located at the intersection of Kipp and Hull Roads; in Clio: at the Carpool Lot off of I-75 exit 131 near the Big Boy Restaurant.
Why: The tour will include 5 farm locations in the thumb of Michigan predominately focusing on grain production. A furnished bus will start at 7am in Mason at the garden center of Meijer (Kipp and Hull Roads) and stop for a pickup point in Clio at the Carpool Lot off of I-75 exit 131 near the Big Boy Restaurant. The Organic Farm Tour will consist of 2 farms in Snover, 1 farm in Deford, and 2 farms in Caro. Each farm tour will be about one hour, and lunch will be included before the Deford farm tour. The bus will be back in Mason around 6:15 pm. This is all for the low price of only $10!
When: July 14, 2009, 4:00 pm
Where: The event takes place across from 2576 Tuttle Rd, Mason, MI. Cost is free to attend with dinner included. Please RSVP.
Why: Come observe and discuss recent work that the Capital Area Innovative Farmers have done on ‘modified relay-intercropping’ of soybeans in wheat, nitrogen rates in corn, frost-seeded red clover in wheat, and other timely topics.
How: Send MSUE-Innovation registration form to P.O. Box 319, Mason, MI or call 676-7207 or dhudson@ingham.org.
When: July 17, 2009 from 8:00am-3:30pm
Where: Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI.
Why: Feedback Needed! We are facing agricultural challenges and opportunities regarding soil organic matter, including the increased use of moldboard plowing in organic systems, emerging markets for stover, carbon credits, and organic markets for cereal grains. What is really needed to promote adoption of practices that will enhance soil quality? We need your input on this issue. Workshop activities about soil organic matter include: Synthesis of key research findings, report on available and upcoming extension materials and tools, and round-tables on receive input from YOU on what soil quality extension materials and research are needed.
How: Please RSVP to Julie Doll (269) 671-2266, jedoll@msu.edu. Exact time and location to be announced soon; a minimal fee may be charged for lunch.
When: July 21-23, 2009
Where: Michigan State University Campus
Why: This event is the state’s largest and longest-running outdoor farm show, on 35 acres. Featuring, exhibits by university’s research and extension workers plus plenty of equipment, seed and input dealers, agencies and services. Plenty of special events are on tap, including new ride-and-drive demonstrations, educational talks and activities especially for beef, dairy and crop producers as well as equine enthusiasts.
When: August 10-14, 2009
Where: Cornell University Campuses, Ithaca and Geneva, NY
Why: If you're interested about learning how to measure soil health, improving soil health or holistic soil management this workshop is for you. This intensive soil health workshop includes a mix of classroom training, hands-on laboratory experience, field assessment of soil health, generating the soil health experience, field assessment of soil health, generation the soil health report and its interpretation, and a field trip to local farms to observe and discuss adopted soil health practices.
How: Registration deadline is June 30, 2009. For tentative workshop schedule and registration form click on the link above.
When: August 14-15, 2009
Where: The event will take place at Morgan Composting 4353 U.S. 10 Sears, MI 49679.
Why: Friday August 14, feature's information on soil management of field crops, and Saturday August 15, feature's information on soil management of vegetables.
How: To register online and pay with check, credit card, or MSU account visit http://web2.canr.msu.edu/mottgroup/registration.cfm or call 231-734-2451.
When: August 19, 2009
Where: MSU Kellogg Biological Station, The dairy is located at 10461 N. 40th St. Hickory Corners, MI. Please call (269) 671-2360 or email (haanm@msu.edu) to RSVP of if you have any questions regarding the Grand Opening of the dairy.
Why: The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a dedication ceremony, ribbon cutting, and VIP tour of the facility. Lunch will be provided. Beginning at 1 PM visitors will be able to take a self-guided tour of the new facility; learn about all aspects of the diary, including the robotic self-guided milking system and LEED certification; and visit with MSU faculty, staff, and students about research, education, and outreach at the diary.
How: Please RSVP to Matt Haan by June 5th if you plan to attend the dedication ceremony and lunch. No RSVP is required for self-guided tours in the afternoon.