8. Organic Farm Manager(s) The Sandpoint Institute
One or more farmers needed to establish an organic farm near Sandpoint,
Idaho. Sandpoint is a beautiful ski town tucked between the mountains
and a 43 mile long, 1000 foot deep lake. Great access to hiking,
swimming, fishing and more!
We have 360 acres with 70 available to be cultivated and ideally
certified organic. The rest is forested. The soil is a nice sandy loam.
The 70 acres of fields are sown in a timothy, clover, brome mix hay,
perfect for a small livestock operation or micro-dairy in addition to
vegetable production. The rest of the land is forested and runs up the
side of Missouri Mountain. The forests are a diverse mix of 7 climax
species. Water is abundant with two ponds and a seasonal creek with
micro-hydro potential. The one 60 foot well on the farm is tapped into
the aquifer and provides clean drinking water.
The buildings include a huge 1940's era traditional barn, an old milking
shed, granary, sheds and the farm house located a distance from the
barn. The farm house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate
cabin. The Kubota tractor is in great condition, with back blade and
cultivator implements.
The farm will establish the setting for the Sandpoint Institute, a new
educational institute for organic farming and sustainable living. The
Institute is a project of the founders of OrganicVolunteers,
www.GrowFood.org, a network of over 1200 farm internships in the USA and
Latin America with 17,000 members. Finding interns for this farm will
not be a problem.
In the future, we hope to cooperate and affiliate with other
organizations to bring their expertise to this sustainable living
institute.
Responsibilities for Farm Manager
The Farm Manager will convert a portion of the 70 acres of fields into a
thriving, productive and profitable organic farm. The farmer will be
responsible for planning, designing, running and maintaining all
operations of the farm, including marketing and sales. The farm manager
will hire, train and manage any necessary employees or interns.
Experience Desired
Must have practical farming experience. Organic methods preferred.
Livestock experience is a bonus.
Business planning and management.
Experience with CSAs, farmers markets and other direct marketing
systems.
Skilled with a tractor or other heavy machinery.
Machinery repair skills a bonus.
Experience with carpentry or natural building, especially straw bale
construction.
Irrigation systems management.
Pest and disease management.
Knowledge of permaculture or holistic design systems.
Compensation
Negotiable and depends on the situation of the candidate. A compensation
package could include housing, a base salary and a portion of farm
profits. We can also provide space to build a house or finish off an out
building into a private residence.
We are also open to a lease arrangement if the farmer wants to invest
capital into the business and get all profits from the farm.
We understand that undertaking such a new project in a place unfamiliar
to a farmer may be a bit daunting. We have a long family history in the
Sandpoint area, and can connect you with potential markets and CSA
subscribers, restaurants, and helpful old-timers to provide advice on
proper planting times, husbandry, trouble-shooting, and maintenance.
Sandpoint boasts a thriving farmers market and growing demand for local,
organic food.
Application Process
Please send a resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask]
with the word "organic" in the subject to circumvent the junk mail
filter.
Phone: 206.914.9497
9. VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON WINE GRAPE PRODUCTION
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan's wine grape industry is looking for
growers.
"We have seen the Michigan wine industry grow steadily for
more than two decades," says Tom Zabadal, Michigan State University
(MSU) professor and grape specialist at the Southwest Michigan Research
and Extension Center in Berrien County. "There is a need for more wine
grape production, especially in the northwestern and southwestern areas
of the state, where wine grapes are most adaptable."
For those interested in becoming involved in wine grape
production, Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is holding a
vineyard establishment workshop March 12-13 via teleconference at two
locations: Berrien Springs and Traverse City. The workshop will run from
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 12, and from 7:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on March
13.
MSU specialists and other horticulturists will provide
workshop participants with information on topics ranging from vineyard
start-up costs and market conditions for Michigan wine grapes to
vineyard site selection, grape varieties, planting and management. The
workshop fee is $250, which includes educational materials and meals.
The registration deadline is February 29. Enrollment is limited, so
early registration is encouraged.
A copy of the program brochure can be found on this Web
site: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/vanburen/grapeweb.htm, or obtained by
calling the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center at
269-944-1477, ext. 201, or the Grand Traverse County MSUE office at
231-922-4626.
10. Asparagus (A Stalk-umentary)
April 30, 2008 the filmmaker for "Asparagus!" is coming to Kellogg
College to present her film on April 30, 8pm. Spread the word!
http://www.asparagusthemovie.com/
Oceania Country is the asparagus capital of the world, see these
families and farms take on U.S. War on Drugs, Free Trade, and a Fast
Food Nation, all to save their beloved "roots."
11. Methods in Soil and Plant Ecology for Sustainable Systems Summer
2008 Course Announcement
(CSS 893-3 Credits) Kellogg Biological Station - MSU May 12-28th
o Gain experience in advanced soil and plant ecology methods
o Explore combinations of plants and community assemblage for
sustainable agriculture and natural area restoration
o Quantify plant traits, ecophysiology and soil organism response
This three week course M, W and F at the W.K. Kellogg Biological
Station-Michigan State University in SW Michigan will provide you with
detailed knowledge of plant ecophysiology and soil ecology advanced
methods in:
Sustainable Agriculture
Natural Area Restoration
The course presents theory and practice, including hands on experience
in quantifying above and belowground traits involved in:
Resource Acquisition and Environmental Response
Reproduction, Defense and Perenniality
Nutrient and Energy Budgets
Students of all institutions are welcome, and there are scholarship
opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. For more
information, see http://www.kbs.msu.edu/summercourses/ or contact Sieg
Snapp ([log in to unmask]). Course dates: May 12-May 28, 2008 M, W& F 9-5
12. Seminar to Help Local Businesses Learn How to Become a Government
Supplier. March 27.
Manistee, Michigan - Did you know that the Michigan government
marketplace is valued at more then $19 billion? Did you know that you
can become a supplier to the State and use this as another avenue to
grow your business?
If you own or operate a business and are interested in becoming a
supplier to the State of Michigan you will want to reserve a seat at the
March 27, 2008 Buy Michigan First seminar.
Facilitated by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at
Northeast Michigan Consortium in Onaway and offered in cooperation with
the PTAC at Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, this seminar will
be at the University Center at Gaylord from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The
seminar is free, but registration is required. Interested businesses or
individuals need to call Deb Donovan at the PTAC at 231-929-5076 or
email Deb at [log in to unmask] to register. For more information,
visit
http://www.allianceforeconomicsuccess.com/news-events-article-56.html.
13. Michigan Food & Petroleum Trade Show, Select Michigan Pavilion
Location: Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI
48375
Dates/Times: Monday, April 28, 2008, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Tuesday,
April 29, 2008, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Background: The Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers Annual Trade Show
is a selling trade show attracting buyers from convenience stores,
supermarkets, specialty stores, drug stores, bars, restaurants and
service stations, featuring two days with 10 hours of uninterrupted
selling.
The Select Michigan Program of the Michigan Department of Agriculture
will host a "Select Michigan Pavilion" at the show. The Select Michigan
Program will offer exhibit space within the pavilion to Michigan food
processors, specialty food companies and other food and agriculture
businesses at a discounted rate.
Booth Space: Ten, 10' x 10' booth, spaces are available within the
Select Michigan Pavilion. Companies can reserve whole booths or
half-booth spaces. Booths feature carpeting, curtained backdrop,
chairs, table, company name sign, limited electricity, complimentary ice
and complimentary customer tickets.
First Priority: Priority will be given to companies featuring and
selling products made from Michigan specialty crops. These companies
will also receive a larger price discount for booth space, supplemented
by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, administered by the Michigan
Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and
vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including
floriculture). Non-specialty crop companies are welcome to participate
if booth space is available, at a slightly higher rate than the
specialty crop rate, but still lower than the regular exhibitor price.
Booth Price:
* One whole 10' x 10' booth with two 8-foot draped tables:
o Specialty Crop Companies: $600.00
o Non-Specialty Crop Companies: $900.00
o (regular exhibitor booth rate: $1,025.00)
* One-half of a 10' x 10' booth with one 4-foot draped table and
of one 8-foot table as a prep area:
o Specialty Crop Companies: $300.00
o Non-Specialty Crop Companies: $450.00
o (half-booth space is not available to companies that are not a
part of the Select Michigan Pavilion)
For more information, contact Jeanne Lipe, Marketing Specialist,
Michigan Department of Agriculture, at 517-373-9790 or
[log in to unmask]
14. Connect with Nature Through MSU Conservation Stewards Program
People interested in the outdoors, natural resources, and mid-Michigan's
environmental issues are invited to attend the Michigan Conservation
Stewards Program beginning Saturday March 29th.
This 40-hour course (modeled after the Master Gardener Program), will be
hosted by Ingham County MSU Extension. Classes will be held on
Saturdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm (field trips and labs) and Mondays 6-9 pm at
Fenner Nature Center in Lansing. The series will continue till May 19th.
The program will include a look at Michigan's conservation heritage,
grassland and forest ecology, natural resource choices, wetland
management, lake and stream ecology and more. During the class,
students will develop environmental community service projects.
The registration fee is $200 due by March 21. Space is limited to 30
people. The full program brochure and registration materials are
available at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/education/stewards.cfm. For
further registration information, contact Connie Vernon at Ingham County
MSU Extension office by calling 517-676-7207 or email Connie at
[log in to unmask] Or contact Shari Dann at [log in to unmask] or Ray
Rustem at the MDNR at 517-373-2457. There will be four (4), 50%
scholarships given for this program. Please write a short explanation
stating the reason you would like to be considered for the $100
scholarship and submit to Connie.
One Master Gardener volunteer is needed to help with each session. If
you are chosen to assist Gary, you will receive free tuition to the
program. The work will be similar to MG assistants. Please email
Connie at [log in to unmask] immediately if you are interested. Gary
will make the final decision on the assistant.
Have a good week and Happy Spring!!
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http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html
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