When: November 23, 2009
6:30 p.m. Intro
7:00 p.m. Film Showing Begins
8:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
Where: North Branch High School Auditorium
6598 Brush Street, North Branch, MI
Why: Food INC. helps answer the question: How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? The film features interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), and Micheal Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma). Food INC, reveals thruths about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here. After the showing ends please join the Discussion Panel to review the information presented.
How: The film is Free of charge. Donations will be accepted, which will be going to organizations supporting local food system and small family farms in the Thumb Area. Questions contact Joe Scrimger/Linda Fraley at (989)635-2684 or
bio-systems@centurytel.net.
When: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in November and December
Where: On-line @ www.practicalfarmers.org/farminars.
Why: For a future Iowa of diverse farms, healthy food, and vibrant communities. Local foods require local farmers but where will they come from? A grant from the Leopold Center is supporting a series of on-line forums for beginning farmers and transitioning farm families offered by Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Beginning Farmer Center. They are offered on Tuesday evenings during November and December.
When: December 5, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Kettunen Center, Tustin, MI
Why: Are you interested in learning about mushroom cultivation? If so this conference is for you. The day consists of three breakout sessions covering an array of mushroom topics, along with a Trade Show ongoing thoughout the day. The conference concludes with a Round Table Discussion.
How: Cost is $75 per person. For event flyer and registration form click on the even title above.
When: December 8, 2009 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Imperial Ballroom in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel\
Last year's event drew more than 140 farmers and 13 companies to visit produce buyers, which included Superior Sales, Spartan Stores, Eastern Market Corporation, Sysco-Grand Rapids, Meijer, Michigan Department of Corrections, Orchard Markets, Kroger, Heeren Brothers, Testa Produce, Mike Pirrone Produce, and Whole Foods.
How: For more information, contact the MIFFS office at (517)432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu.
When: December 8-10, 2009
Where: Devos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Why: The GLXPO is the premire show for fruit and vegetable growers and farm marketers. Over 3,700 growers from 35 states and 9 Canadian provinces registered for last years EXPO.
Highlights include: Informative educational programs for fruit, vegetable and greenhouse
growers, and for farm marketers-59 sessions and workshops over 3 days.
- Fruit and vegetable commodities
- Greenhousee production and marketing
- Farm marketing ideas and issues
- General topics of special interest to growers
Plus a trade which freatures more than 300 exhibitors convering 4 acres of exhibit space in one hall.
When: December 15, 2009 from 9-5 p.m.
Where: Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI
Why: Come learn how to develop a marketing plan for your farm, add value with on-farm processing and sales, and add value by marketing as a differentiated product. It's a great opportunity to network with presenters and dairy producers.
How: Registration is $30 per person ($25 second participant from same farm) Lunch and snacks provided. To register or for additional information, contact Matt Haan at haan@msu.edu or (269)671-2360. Click on the event title above for flier.
When: January 16, 2010
Where: Lakeview High School, Battle Creek, MI
Why: Join us for the 7th annual Michigan Family Farms Conference to discuss challenges and growth opportunities for small and limited resource family farms.
Come hear keynote speaker Corey Flournoy. Corey was the first ever non-rural, African-American National FFA President in 1994-95. Today, he is the co-founder of Creative Outreach Consulting whose mission is to help you and adults seek, discover and capitalize upon the creative elements of success within in order to make a positive contribution to our world.
Educational sessions include bioenergy for small farmers, organic and specialty crop production, high tech marketing, high tunnels, entrepreneurship, food safety, crop pollination, grass-based dairies, and much more!
How: Stay tuned for registration information. Click on the event title above to read up on past conferences.
When: January 30, 2010
Where: Grayling High School, Grayling, MI
Why: Workshops to date include permaculture, hydroponics, raising organic chickens, grass based dairy, integrating animals into your farm, storage and season extension, farm to school, Saskatoons, farm sized wind energy and much more. A lunch featuring local foods is included in the registration fee.
How: Registration form available early December. For more information, click on the event title above or call (231)533-8818.
When: Friday, March 5, 2010 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Riverside Room, Kellogg Conference Center, East Lansing, MI
Why: This even features organic research and outreach conducted around Michigan.
Presentation topics include:
- Season Extension
- Vegetable & Fruit Production Systems
- Innovative Pest Management
- Building Community Food Systems
Reception during Graduate Student Poster Presentations, with a cash reward for top 3 posters.
How: Registration information comming soon. To view flier click on the event title above. Questions contact Vicki Morrone-Organic farming outreach coordinator, (517)353-3542 or sorrone@msu.edu.