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9. MSU MUSEUM PRESENTS 'VOICES OF AMERICAN FARM WOMEN' EXHIBIT March 2, - 10 -- Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center - South Lobby (open daily) March 21, 2007 - June 23 -- MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education Mt. Hope Avenue and Farm Lane (open Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; and weekends, when special events are scheduled, Saturday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.) In the past, our views of farming and its influence on American life and culture have focused on the roles that men have played as farmers, while women's contributions to agricultural production were largely ignored, perpetuating the stereotype of the "farmer's wife." Now, a new exhibit at Michigan State University, "Voices of American Farm Women," presents a contemporary perspective on women farmers. "Voices of American Farm Women," is the only formal exhibition on sustainable agriculture featuring 30 farm women in black and white photography with narrative text panels and captions created from oral histories of small-diversified farmers across America. Join artist, Cynthia Vagnetti for a "walk through" of the exhibit on March 2 from 2:30-3:30 at the Kellogg Center. Vagnetti will talk about her fifteen years of documentary work in photography, video and oral histories and the ethnographic collection, Voices From The Field. Learn about tools of inquiry, tools for participatory research, the rhetorical can0ons of memory and delivery and the people leading in the global effort to protect biodiversity through local food systems based upon small-diversified sustainable farming practices, innovation and passion. Cynthia is an instructor of WRA 135: Public Life in America, Founder of five Voices project, RCAH/CASTL Fellow and PH. D. student in WRAC. "Through exhibits like this, we can engage the public in a deeper understanding of issues like food and farming connections, entrepreneurs, social responsibility, biodiversity and our relationship to the land," observes Julie Avery, MSU Museum curator of rural life and culture. "Voices of American Farm Women" is the first in a multi-year series of special agriculture and natural resources-related MSU Museum exhibits that will be designed for off-site locations. "Voices " will be presented at the MSU Pavilion, which hosts thousands of visitors for special events throughout the year. Project partners include the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station MSU Extension, Michigan State University Museum, and University Outreach and Engagement. A related publication, "People Sustaining the Land: A Vision of Good Science and Art," by Cynthia Vagnetti, is available at the MSU Museum Store. 10. Food System Economic Partnership conference, On Thursday, March 29th This conference is a part of the committees efforts to build a better food system in southeastern Michigan. The conference will run from 8:15 a.m. through 3:15 p.m. and will take place at the Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building in Ann Arbor and is open to the general public. Participants will gain an understanding of the local food system and explore opportunities for growth in production, processing, distribution, sales, and consumption of local foods. Michael Potter CEO of Eden Foods will present the keynote address and discuss how his company has developed a network of family farms, suppliers and business relationships dedicated to providing foods to meet consumer needs. A panel discussion will be held after lunch with area grocers on Challenges and Opportunities in Providing Consumers with Local Food. Participants will also be able to choose three sessions to attend from the following twelve sessions that will be offered: Food Service Goes Local The Farmers' Market Connection Youth Farm Stand Project Launching a New Product Hoop Houses for Year-Round Local Food Production in Michigan Home Grown Health Local Chef Goes Slow Business Plans: Key to Success FSEP Research at Work Farm to School: Local Food for School Meals Healthy Traditions Network Going Organic Early registration with payment postmarked by March 19th is $20.00 per person. Late registration by phone (734) 240-3180 is $30.00, payable at the door. The registration rate for full-time students is $20.00 and requires phone pre-registration and payment at the door with a student ID. Registration brochures with complete details are available on line at www.fsepmichigan.org <http://www.fsepmichigan.org/> . The Food System Economic Partnership is a collaborative, non-profit organization serving Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. 11. Tri-State Organic Agriculture Production Sessions-IP Educational Video conference series March 15-Nov 15, 2007. Michigan State University is joining University of Illinois and Purdue 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]> (Vicki Morrone) in East Lansing or [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> (Dan Rossman) in Ithaca Cost is just $10/session. Sessions at Michigan State University in Room 204, Communication Arts Bldg. (Trowbridge & Red Cedar Rd.) Or Ithaca RESD 1131 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI. Each class will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Class is limited to 15 students/session. * 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 That's all folks till next time. Please feel free to contribute to the listserv with your organic ag production findings, questions and ideas! ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ****************************************** 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