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19. High Tunnel Tour, Aug 15th
6 pm in Benton Harbor
Please share information about this meeting and tour with anyone who
may be interested. Using high tunnels is one strategy to stretch the
farmers market season and increase farmer income.
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007
16:04:42 -0700
From: Eric Hanson
<[log in to unmask]>
Subject: High Tunnel Twilight Meeting
_______
High tunnels are low-cost greenhouses that are gaining popularity for
production of a large range of crops worldwide. A twilight meeting and research
plot tour is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 15, at the Southwest
Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, MI. Anyone interested
in how high tunnels can be used to increase produce quality or yields, reduce
chemical pesticide inputs, and/or modify harvest seasons for berries, sweet
cherries, vegetables, and even cut flowers are welcome. MSU researchers and
extension educators will be on hand to discuss the Project GREEEN-funded
research trials on production systems for various high value crops under
Haygrove high tunnels.
To reach the Center, take exit 30 off I-94 (Napier Avenue),
travel east on Napier for 2 1/2 miles to Hillandale Road. Turn south
(right) and travel to the entrance to SWMREC (about 1/4 mile).
For additional directions call 269-944-1477.
·
*******************************************************************
From:
Michigan Food and Farming Systems - MIFFS on behalf of Emily R. Buckham
Sent: Mon 8/6/2007 09:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Governor Granholm
proclaims August 6-12, 2007 to be "Farmers' Market Week"
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6,
2007
20. Governor Granholm proclaims
August 6-12, 2007 to be “Farmers’ Market Week”
East
Lansing, Mich. – To raise awareness about farmers markets and encourage
Michigan residents to buy local food, Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared
the week of August 6, 2007 to be “Farmers’ Market Week” here
in the state of Michigan. The celebration coincides with National Farmers
Market Week as proclaimed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Mike
Johanns.
“I
encourage the people of the United States to celebrate the benefits of farmers
markets and the bountiful production of our Nation’s farmers with
appropriate observances and activities,” Johanns stated.
During
this week, farmers markets across the country are to be recognized as outlets
for agricultural producers who act as the stewards of our land. Farmers
markets offer consumers farm-fresh, healthy products; serve as a link among
urban, suburban, and rural communities; and support local anti-hunger
initiatives. Granholm specifically acknowledged farmers markets for their
contribution to Michigan’s economy and the overall health of
Michigan’s citizens.
“We’re
excited to get this kind of recognition by the state to bring farmers markets
into the public eye,” said Dru Montri, project manager for the Michigan
Farmers Market Association (MIFMA).
MIFMA is
a statewide organization developed to advance farmers markets to create a
thriving marketplace for local food and farm products. It places farmers
markets at the forefront of the local food movement and works to ensure all
residents have access to healthy, locally grown food and that Michigan farmers
markets receive policy support.
On behalf
of Michigan farmers markets, MIFMA encourages the residents of Michigan to make
it a priority to support Michigan’s “Farmers’ Market
Week” by promoting local farmers markets and spreading the exciting news
about local food. With more than 160 farmers markets in operation around
the state, this should be easy to do.
Residents
can also consider joining MIFMA to participate in the statewide effort of
advancing Michigan farmers markets. Membership information can be found
at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu by clicking on the “Join MIFMA!”
tab.
For
additional information about Michigan farmers markets, including a directory of
market locations, visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.
The Michigan Farmers Market Association is supported by a
grant from Project for Public Spaces, Inc., with funding provided by the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation.
# # # #
Founded
in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is
to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems
that improve economic, ecological and social well-being. MIFFS has been
effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and
institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food
systems in Michigan.
The
organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural
productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other
for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities. To learn
more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.
CONTACT:
Dru
Montri
Project
Manager, Michigan Farmers Market Association
Ph: (517)
432-3381
21. Greetings
from The Garden Project
Gardens across the
Lansing area are flourishing--and so we are proud to welcome you to...
___________________________________________________
The 2007 GARDEN PROJECT
COMMUNITY GARDEN TOUR
Thursday, August 16th
Come see the best of what
community gardening has to offer!
Our bus tour begins at
the Armory Community Garden with refreshments and an informal guided
walk-through of the garden and its newly refurbished common spaces at 5:00 p.m.
Please park at the south
end of the Pattengill Middle School lot,
616 Marshall St. between
Michigan and Saginaw.
The bus will depart
shortly after 5:30 for three other diverse
gardens: the Riddle
School Garden, Clifford Park Community Garden, and the Lighthouse Transitional
Housing Garden. Come see the gardens and meet fellow gardeners growing their
own healthy food right here in the city!
We look forward to seeing
you at 5:00 p.m. at the Armory garden.
RSVP requested by August
9th: (517) 887-4660 or [log in to unmask]
(Please be advised that
children must be four years old, four feet tall, and at least forty pounds to
ride the bus.) Suggested donation $1-20.
_____________________________________________________
OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES:
_____________________________________________
***Grow-a-Row drop-off
dates*** are August 26th and September 9th.
If you have or would like
to grow a row in your garden to donate to the food bank, you can drop off your
harvest on these dates at the L&L stores on W. Saginaw or MLK, or at Van
Atta's greenhouse.
***Gleaning
Volunteers Needed*** The Garden Project runs a gleaning program where we work
with area farms to harvest surplus produce and distribute it to those in need.
Volunteers are needed to harvest produce on weekdays mornings. In addition to camaraderie,
and fresh air, volunteers may take home a bag of the produce for their own
families. Call 887-4660 or e-mail [log in to unmask] to request a
gleaning registration form.
22. Soil Building Workshop Aug 29-30th at Sears MI
at Morgan Compost
Paul
Hepperly, a plant pathologist with the Rodale Research Institute, will kick off
both days of the conference with discussions on the importance of composting in
sustainable food systems during “Building Healthy Soils in Vegetable and
Grain Systems” Aug. 29-30 at Morgan Composting in
To register and see the full program go to web site www.michiganorganic.msu.edu
Early bird registration is Aug 15
·
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://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/
http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/