Mark your calendars! 15. 2007 Agri-Energy Conference will be held March 13-14, 2007 at the Holiday Inn South, 6820 S. Cedar St., Lansing, Michigan. An excellent program is planned covering such topics as wind, biofuels, biomass, solar and bioproducts/emerging technologies. 16. NEW ORGANIC FARMING COURSES for Spring 2007 at Michigan State University! HRT 251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices 3 credits; 10:20-11:40 Monday/Wednesday B109 PSSB; Taught by Jeremy Moghtader * Biological, and ecological systems basis for organic farming * The certification process (USDA National Organic Standards) * Principles of organic matter management, and the importance of the soil food web * Management of biodiversity, crop rotations, ground cover, and plant health with minimal off farm resources * Organic animal husbandry and the integration of crops and animals on organic farms * Integrated Systems approach to farm management w/ case studies * Learn about this rapidly growing segment of agriculture and the food system For more information, please contact Jeremy Moghtader [log in to unmask], A430 PSSB HRT 242 Passive Solar Greenhouses for Protected Cultivation 1 Credit: First 5 weeks of Spring Semester 8:30-9:50 Monday/Wednesday B109 PSSB; Taught by Dr. John Biernbaum and Adam Montri * Design principles/options and construction methods for low cost unheated structures * How to manage the greenhouse based on outside light and temperature * Soil fertility and irrigation management; planting and growing methods * Vegetable, herb, flower and fruit crop selection, scheduling and economics * Experience the methods used by the SOF and suitable for your backyard or business HRT 243 Organic Transplant Production 1 Credit: Second 5 weeks of Spring Semester 8:30-9:50 Monday/Wednesday B109 PSSB; taught by Dr. John Biernbaum * Principles of seed ordering, storage, and germination of vegetable, herb, and flower crops * Preparation of organic root media; selection of growing containers; fertility management * Greenhouse structures; temperature and light management * Plant health protection and maintenance methods for organic certification * Germinate seeds, root cuttings and produce transplants in the PSSB greenhouses. For more information about both of the above classes, please contact Dr. John Biernbaum at [log in to unmask], A440C PSSB Additional Organic Farming classes will be taught in the summer and fall semesters. Contact Dr. John Biernbaum at [log in to unmask] for more information. 17. The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition˛ Monday, November 13, 2006 at 86 Monroe Center, 8th Floor at 6:30pm Author-Speaker Michael Shuman Tickets are Available Online! Purchase your tickets today! See link: http://localfirst.com/calendar/23 <http://localfirst.com/calendar/23> Michael Shuman is a leader and seminal thinker helping drive the local economies movement. Michael is an entertaining, passionate and engaging speaker who knows the challenges and opportunities of building local economies as well as anyone you may find. His two books "Going Local" and "The Small-Mart Revolution" are chocked full of good ideas and thorough analysis. Bring friends, family, and staff! Special thanks to our sponsors: Aquinas Collegešs Center for Sustainability, River Bank Books and Music, Founders Bank and Trust, Commerce Realty, and John Hunting for all of their support. If you have any questions, contact me at [log in to unmask] or 616-808-3788. Vicki Morrone Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist Michigan State University C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems 303 Natural Resources Bldg. East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542 517-282-3557 (cell) 517-353-3834 (fax) http://safs.msu.edu/ http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/ If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html