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4.
The Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP)
FSEP is an urban-rural collaboration dedicated to the development of regional
food systems. Our mission is to catalyze change in the food system of
Southeastern Michigan. We work to provide research, education and outreach with
urban and rural partnerships, resulting in agricultural development
opportunities, healthier and sustainable communities, and stronger local
economies.
FSEP is currently
working on creating Farm to School pilot projects at 2 to 3 school districts in
SE MI. The goal of these pilots is to facilitate the development and
implementation of a clear action plan with school officials, food service
directors, contracted food service vendors, distributors, processors,
producers, and help to establish sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships
that result in healthy, locally produced foods delivered to schools and
consumed by students. In each district FSEP is also working with and engaging
related community initiatives and organizations to create greater educational
integration and ownership of the Farm to School initiatives. Upon conclusion
and evaluation of the 2-year pilots FSEP plans to develop apply knowledge and
relationships gain to facilitate further expansion of Farm to School in SE MI.
If you are interested in more information, or how to help, please contact Molly
Robertshaw at [log in to unmask].
5.
Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo was a hit!
www. Glexpo.com
Thursdays at the
expo is now knows as organic day! The three day event offered information on
production, pest management, marketing, cider contests and even how to bake.
Thursday Dec 7 over 180 farmers, educators, agriculture vendors and agriculture
consultants attended a day of information on organic certification, pest
management in cucrbits and rotation benefits for organic systems. Many new
faces attended and the event is so popular we hope to integrate organic
sessions throughout the expo next year. So keep your eyes peeled for this
annual event, the first week in December each year held at the deVos Center in
Grand Rapids, MI.
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Events in Michigan and the Midwest
DECEMBER
6. Film Series: Food, Farming, Healthy,
Education & Native Culture
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. (doors open at
6 p.m.) Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids Admission is $5 for
adults and $2 for seniors and students. Light dinner and snacks available
before films and during intermission. Shop at the farmers market in the theater
lobby, too!
December 6
– Three films followed by a panel discussion.
"Impact of
Fresh, Healthy Foods on Learning and Behavior" 18 min.
"Creating a School Garden: The Hollywood Elementary Story" 22 min.
"Mixed Greens: Growing Kids Who Grow Gardens" 8 min.
December 20
– Two films.
"Wrath of
Grapes" 16 min.
"Covering New Ground: Wisconsin's Sustainable Agriculture" 60 min.
Film series
continues through April 2007. For details, contact [log in to unmask]
or call 616-677-6176.
7.
Michigan Senate Hearing on NAIS
December 7, Farnam Building, Rm. 110 at 8:00 a.m.,
Lansing. A Michigan Senate hearing
about the proposed National Animal Identification System. Let your voice
be heard! We need people to attend and voice opposition. You should also
contact the following state senators with phone calls, emails and letters:
Jerry Van
Woerkom 866-305-2134
Jud Gilbert
(Lapeer& St. Clair County) 517-373-7708
Ron Jelinek
(Three Oaks) 866-305-2121
Liz Brater (Ann Arbor)
866-305-0318
Buzz Thomas (Detroit)
866-348-6304
JANUARY
8. Want to Find
your Start in Sustainable Farming? Join us!
January – March
2007
We are seeking current,
beginning and would be farmers and prospective farm interns for our CRAFT*
Sustainable Farmer Training Program
Class Times: Thursdays at
6PM – 9pm January – March 2007 - Starts January 4
Location: GR Community
Media Ctr on Wealthy St. in Grand Rapids (near Fuller)
Cost: $7-10/class or $80
- $110 for entire series (cost based on ability to pay) – Includes binder
and dinner each evening! Please ask about scholarships.
Content: Covers basic
concepts of sustainable agriculture from soil to marketing, planting to
harvest, animal care to business plans.
Contact: Tom Cary at
WMEAC at 616-451-3051 or emailing [log in to unmask]
Go to http://www.sustainableag-wm.org/craft/farming-course.htm
to see this past winter’s course content.
*CRAFT = Collaborative
Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Classes will also be
shown live on cable channel 24 in the Grand Rapids Metro region from
6-9pm each Thursday.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR
VIDEO PRODUCTION INTERNS TO HELP FILM THIS COURSE AND AREA FARM ACTIVITIES.
--
Tom Cary
Sustainable Agriculture
and Local Food Systems Program
West Michigan
Environmental Action Council
1007 Lake Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 451-3051/-3054
(fax)
9.
Farm It Forward
January 5-6 and February 2-3,
Kellogg Biological Station. Keeping the "Family Farm" in business,
especially across the generations, can be a real challenge. It can be an
enormous challenge for you and your farm to meet. If you are hoping to pass the
farm to the next generation or are hoping that someday you will have the
opportunity to take over the farm from your parents, then we have the program
for you. Communication can be a huge barrier for multi-generational farm
families so you may find that some outside assistance with the process can be
of value. Families that have a next generation looking to become part of the
farm business are encouraged to take part in this program series. Set up as 2,
two-day sessions, this program will give participants the opportunity to work
through the process of planning a farm business transition. Discover how to
address major issues that can lead to failure in a multiple generation farm
business. For registration form go to: http://www.msu.edu/user/steind/farm%20it%20forward.html
For more information or to register contact Dennis Stein at [log in to unmask]
or call 989-672-3870 or fax 989-673-8248 on the web at http://www.msu.edu/user/steind
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/
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