6. Extension food program offered in Grand Marais
GRAND MARAIS - A Michigan State University extension program on
"Genetically Engineered Foods: Fact and Fiction" is being offered this
month in Grand Marais.
The presentation by Alger County MSU Extension Director Jim Isleib will
be at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Grand Marais Community Building.
Isleib will present an overview of the issue as it affects American
consumers and farmers as well as food systems worldwide. The free
program is part of the "Extension Wednesdays" series of educational
programs and is intended "for all people who eat food."
"A safe, plentiful and relatively cheap supply of high-quality food is
part of the American way of life," Isleib said. "We are a very well-fed
nation. Anything that endangers our food supply is serious business."
A few of the events affecting the American food system include fresh
spinach tainted with e coli bacterial, the identification of one
Holstein calf imported from Canada with "mad cow" disease - Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy - and the use of Alar defoliant on apples.
Isleib said several other issues are currently impacting our food
system, including the diversion of huge amounts of corn grain from use
as livestock feed to use as raw material for ethanol fuel production,
the adoption of federal organic standards and subsequent entry of very
large, national food companies into the "organic" market, and the
ongoing restriction or elimination of common agricultural pest control
products by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
"Each of these issues has at least two sides, with plenty of ammunition
for argument," Isleib said. "The only certain thing is that the American
food production and distribution system is changing, as are many other
aspects of American life."
Isleib will also discuss the adoption of new technology involving
genetically-modified crops, which he said is one of the most sweeping
shifts in American agriculture and food production.
For more information on the program or to let organizers know you plan
to attend, contact the MSU Extension office in Munising at 387-2530 or
by email at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
The Garden Resource Program Collaborative in partnership with Gleaners
Community Foodbank of SE Michigan is proud to present:
7. GROW BIOINTENSIVE GARDENING WORKSHOPS WITH
JOHN JEAVONS
March 30-31st - GROW BIOINTENSIVE Workshop
April 1st - ECONOMIC MINI-FARMING Workshop
Earthworks Garden, Detroit
John Jeavons, known across the world for his GROW BIOINTENSIVE(r)
workshops and book How to Grow More Vegetables: than you ever thought
possible on less land than you can image, will be visiting Detroit and
teaching two workshops on Biointensive growing methods. We are honored
to have him visit Detroit and encourage you to take advantage of this
amazing opportunity to learn from Jeavonssimple techniques which are
easy to implement in small spaces and result in a highly productive,
nutritious and sustainable gardens.
Please see the attached registration materials for more information or
contact Ashley Atkinson at The Greening of Detroit at 313-237-8736 or
email [log in to unmask]
<http:[log in to unmask]> .
Applications are also available online at www.detroitagriculture.org
<http://www.detroitagriculture.org/>
THE GARDEN RESOURCE PROGRAM COLLABORATIVE
The Detroit Agriculture Network, Earthworks Garden /Capuchin Soup
Kitchen, The Greening of Detroit and Michigan State University Extension
work collaboratively to support community, school and family gardens in
Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Contact Ashley Atkinson at
313-237-8736, Lindsay Turpin at [log in to unmask]
<http://us.f833.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=lindsay_detroitagriculture@
yahoo.com> or visit our website: www.detroitagriculture.org
<http://www.detroitagriculture.org/>
Lindsay TurpinGarden Resource Program Coordinator
313-365-1568
[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
8. Community Film Festival-Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy SE, Grand
Rapids
Doors open 6:00, films start 7:00 Light dinner & snacks, farmers market
& health care providers & information table of activists.
Wed. Feb 14 "Controlled Rotational Cover Cropping in the Bioextensive
Market Garden" The work of Eric & Anne Nordell working with horses in
their field vegetable production systems in the mountains of North
Central PA. With their crop rotations and timely plantings, weeds are
not a problem.
"Basic Training of Oxen" All the basics needed to teach
oxen to work, a process that begins when the calves are four weeks old.
This is being done at Tiller's International, south of Kalamazoo.
Wed. Feb 28th "Biological Agriculture at New Harmony Community Farm"
Environmental activisits & organic farmers Paul & Nancy Jones Keiser
began the first CSA farm in W MI at the first charter school, W M
Academy of Environmental Science. Tour the fields & learn of many food
& farming tips.
"Troyer's Barn Raising" Watch the building of an Amish
barn stage-by- stage, with a majority of the workers being Plain People.
This is ancient social cooperation in action.
Info: www.wealthytheater.org <http://www.wealthytheater.org>
616-677-6176
9. Attention All Farmers and Educators!!!
Come to learn and Share about organic ag
Michigan State University is joining University of Illinois and Perdue
University to offer a video conference series presented by organic
farmers, extension educators and researchers. These events will offer
information, discussion and an opportunity for you to ask questions. You
will also have the chance to meet others with similar interests, maybe
even a chance to work together....
Call for your reservation for any or all of the sessions:
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 517-353-3542. Cost is just
$10/session.
Sessions in Room 204, Comm Arts Bldg. (Trowbridge & Red Cedar Rd.)
Each class will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Class is limited to 15
students/session.
Tue, February 13, 2007-Cover Crops and Fertility Management
Thur, March 15, 2007-Organic Weed Control
Thur, April 19, 2007- Insect & Disease Control in Organic Vegetables
Thur, Sept 20, 2007-Organic Poultry Production
Thur, Nov 15, 2007 Beginning Organic Farming/Certification
Funded in part by USDA North Central SARE
10. Hoop House Training and Discussion
Saturday, February 24, 2007, 2-3:30 p.m.
Phil Throop, owner of Wildflower Organic Farm will be offering an
afternoon session to tour his a hoop house and get a better
understanding of how to build your own hoophouse and what to grow in it.
His farm is located at 14650 Center Rd, Bath, MI, 48808
Call 517-641-4761 or email [log in to unmask]
All Are Welcome and Invited!!
Event is FREE
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
