4. INSECT NEWS INFESTS
IPODS
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- During the time it takes to walk across the Michigan
State University (MSU) campus, anyone can learn about the importance of
honeybees, the emergence of bed bugs or the nutritious benefits of eating
insects, all by listening to their iPods.
The InsectaPod Cast is a monthly podcast about people,
insects and the environment designed for digital media listeners. The podcast
and its online home, www.insectapodcast.com, were created by
Anna Fiedler, MSU entomology graduate student, and Jacob McCarthy, an editor in
the MSU Department of Animal Science. Fiedler writes and records the
podcasts, and McCarthy lends his technical expertise to producing and posting
the monthly 10-minute segments.
“Typically, people think of insects as pests,”
Fiedler said. “My goal is to help people understand insects and spiders
in a different way. We want to encourage listeners to see how insects connect
with people and the environment.”
The InsectaPod Cast launched in July, and a new edition
is released at the beginning of each month, Fiedler said. She said it is the
first entomology podcast produced in the informative, entertaining National
Public Radio style.
“There are other podcasts about insects, but they tend
to feature a mock interview or audio that sounds like a classroom
lecture,” Fiedler said. “We are choosing unique, multifaceted
topics with an entertainment aspect that is different and fun.”
September’s episode features a peculiar pet with many legs.
All podcasts can be downloaded at the InsectaPod Cast Web
site, www.insectapodcast.com,
where visitors will also find links related to each topic and transcripts of
each podcast.
“Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can listen to the
podcasts on any type of player or directly from their computer,” McCarthy
said. “We tried to make it easy for everyone to access the
information.”
Fiedler also gives listeners the opportunity to network with
other podcast listeners by posting links to the InsectaPod Cast Web site on
Facebook, listed under her name, Anna Fiedler, and in a MySpace account devoted
to the podcast at www.myspace.com/insectapodcast.
The project is funded by
the Ray and Bernice Hutsen Memorial Entomology Endowment. The MSU Department of
Entomology, an academic unit of both the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
and the College of Natural Science, has a 100-year history of excellence in
research, teaching and extension.
5. Position:
Director of Communications at The Rodale Institute
This position provides an opportunity for someone to
work with farmers and consumers and to expand local food markets in
mid-Michigan.
General Description: The
City Market Operations Supervisor shall be responsible for the management,
coordination and supervision of the day-to-day activities of the Lansing City
Market; the set-up/janitorial and general maintenance of the facility and
its’ events, and to insure that the services of the City Market are
provided in an efficient, effective, and timely manner.
Basic Duties:
* Responsible for the opening and closing of the facility
during operating hours. Ensure that the facility is correctly protected
against improper conducting of market business.
* Develop, implement and oversee an effective preventive maintenance/custodial
program; ensure department compliance and maintenance of equipment/systems
database.
* Assist “Friends of The Market” in planning, coordinating, and
implementation of grassroots marketing efforts and special events held at the
market. May be asked to participate in and provide support for special events
sponsored by LEPFA at other external locations as needed.
Minimum Education/Experience:
1. Graduation from an accredited four- year college or university
with a degree in public administration, business administration or related
field. Management experience in the operations fields may be substituted
at the rate of two (2) years experience for each year of college.
2. Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills including the
ability to motivate others.
3. Must have a thorough knowledge of computer systems.
4. Ability to demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills
in the English language.
Application:
Applications will be accepted until September 21, 2007 at 5:00
p.m.
Lansing Center- 2nd floor Administration Office
Attn: Operations Manager
333 East Michigan Ave.
Lansing MI 48933
Job Openings in Sustainable/Organic food
6. Position: Director of Communications at
The Rodale Institute
Description
Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Communications will manage all
communications activities, including press, online strategies and publications.
In addition, the director will serve as part of the senior management team that
helps develop strategic direction and marketing.
Responsibilities and Duties
Skills and Experience
We
offer a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package. Send résumé,
cover letter and salary requirements to:
Human Resources
The Rodale Institute
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
or email: [log in to unmask]
or fax: 610-683-1431
7. Blandford Nature
Center & Mixed Greens are looking to fill several AmeriCorps*VISTA
positions.
See the position
descriptions below for more information. Deadline is this Friday, so
please submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible to [log in to unmask] if
interested. Please pass on to anyone you know who may be interested.
Thanks!
Emily A. Martin
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Blandford Nature Center & Mixed Greens
1715 Hillburn NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
P.616.735.6240x16 F.616.735.6255
---
***Marketing and Fund
Development.
Working closely with the Marketing and
Development Coordinator, this VISTA member will focus on fundraising, event
planning, marketing, and related administrative tasks, with the focus on
building Mixed Greens’ financial and organizational capacity. S/he
will concentrate on planning fundraising events, representing the organization
at community festivals and events, grant research and writing, grant management,
donor research, creation of marketing materials (newsletter, annual report,
etc), and other fundraising. S/he must be extremely well organized, computer
savvy, customer-oriented and preferably have experience in event planning,
fundraising or campaign work, and/or other areas of marketing.
***Youth Farm Stand
Coordinator.
This VISTA member will work directly with
the new Youth Farm Team at the Blandford Nature Center to facilitate the
development of a Youth Farm Stand Project. This work will include building
community partnerships, leading and empowering diverse high school youth in
program development, coordinating service work on a nature center and beginning
farm, and engaging students in social justice training. S/he will work directly
with diverse youth, Blandford Farm Coordinator, Nature Center Staff, local high
schools, non-profits engaged in food security work, and low-income populations
in Grand Rapids. S/he should have
a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and the environment, experience
working with urban youth, and a passion for challenging young leaders and
connecting them to their food.
TO APPLY:
For questions
or complete job descriptions, contact Jennifer Getting Jameslyn, Program
Manager, [log in to unmask]
For
consideration, please submit your resume plus a 1 page cover letter by September 14, 2007. Email (as attachments)
to [log in to unmask]. Snail
mail: Jennifer Getting Jameslyn, Mixed Greens, 1715 Hillburn NW, Grand
Rapids MI, 49504. No faxes or calls please. In your cover letter, please
specify which position or positions you wish to be considered for. After
receiving materials, applicants may be asked to complete additional application
materials and be available for interviewing.
Mixed Greens
hires through AmeriCorps*VISTA. VISTA members serve full-time, for one year,
with varying work schedules. VISTA members receive a monthly living stipend of
$833, medical insurance, child care assistance, and an end of term educational
($4725) or cash ($1200) award. Educational award is only available to those who
complete their term, unless extenuating circumstances exist. VISTA
members are not allowed to be in school or have other employment during their term
of service. VISTA members may be eligible for Food Stamps or other forms
of public assistance.
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8. The Urban Forager
Saturday September 22 - 9am
Introduction to Plants & Their Uses
Learn to
identify native & invasive species, how to properly collect
plants and
their parts and how to can, preserve, and prepare
plants for
future use with food, medicine and crafts.
Saturday September 29 - 9am
Wayside Gourmet: Preparing & Eating Wild Edible
We will hike
and learn about edible wild plants in the area, collect
those in
season, come back and cook them up for a gourmet feast!
Saturday
October 13 - 9am
Rustic Cures
for Urban Dwellers: Medicinal Uses of Plants
Learn about
how to cure poison ivy, treat a bug bite, and other
natural cures
in this hands-on class. We will learn to properly make
teas,
decoctions, tinctures, and other ways of administering medicine.
Saturday October 20 - 9am
Crafting Nature’s Bounty: Everyday Plants for Everyday Things
We will use
some of the plants we have been collecting to make
useful things
out of what nature offers. Tools, hygiene products
and rope are
just a few of the things we will be making.
$75 for the
five series workshop or $20 per class.
Open to ages
16 and up. Please register by
September 10
by calling Mike B. at 616.735.6240x14.
Each class
will last 2-3 hours.
9. EAT LOCAL, KALAMAZOO!"
is a celebration and exploration of local foods (September 23 - 28)
What are some events taking place during Eat
Local, Kalamazoo ?
Sunday, September 23, 1 PM – 3 PM ~
Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest at Tillers International
Journalist Alisa Smith and her partner, writer J.B. Mackinnon, co-authors of Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year
of Eating Locally, will give the keynote at the festival, sharing
their experiences with eating local foods for an entire year and the wide
reaching impact of local foods. Smith and MacKinnon will make additional
appearances at Kalamazoo College (Monday, September 24) and the Kalamazoo
Public Library (Tuesday, September 25).
Other events include a panel discussion on the
economic impact of shopping locally and using local resources to address
community needs, and a presentation on local foods throughout the world. Find
more information and the schedule at: www.eatlocalkalamazoo.org
Eat Local Challenge
Throughout the month of September, we
challenge you to eat local foods throughout September. Set a goal on how
to incorporate more local foods into your diet and we will give you tips on
where to find local foods in the area! Go to www.eatlocalkalamazoo.org
for more info!
HELP! You can support Eat Local, Kalamazoo! in a number of
ways: any financial contribution (large or small) would be appreciated,
we can use volunteers to help with our reception on Saturday, September 22, you
can spread the word about Eat Local, Kalamazoo! AND you can attend the
events!! Please go to www.eatlocalkalamazoo.org or
contact Seema at [log in to unmask] for more
information and to find out how you can be involved with Eat Local, Kalamazoo!
More about the 2007
SW MICHIGAN COMMUNITY HARVEST FEST
This year's fest promises to be the very best one yet with a
larger than ever group of exhibitors and farmers, a visit from authors Alisa
Smith and J.B. Mackinnon, and the music of Joe Reilly and Dununya and a so much
more! I personally love the hay rides and the heritage farming demonstrations
put on by the Tillers International staff, volunteers and interns. This years
Harvest Fest is Sunday, September 23, from 11:30am-6:30pm. It is $10 per
car- or vanload, and it not something you'll want to miss. For more information
please visit http://www.swmiharvestfest.org. Or view
the Cable Access show "The Hispanic Perspective" with David Juarez
interviewing myself and fellow organizer Lori Evesque: http://www.archive.org/details/THPSWMIHarvestFest08-09-07.mpg
THREE RIVERS FOOD GROUP
Our friends down in Three Rivers is really getting things started.
They are featured in the local newspaper with a regular column, they have
created a local food guide for the area, and they are doing monthly programs.
If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact Karla Kauffman at [log in to unmask].
FAIR FOOD MATTERS EVOLUTIONS...
Fair Food Matters has been active in Kalamazoo creating and
managing programs and partnerships to bring knowledge, support and know-how
about local food and farming to the community for the past 6 years. We have
many things going on and only one paid staff person. The momentum is great, as
is the response from the community. At this point we are ready to further
invest in our community by seeking funds to hire an executive director. For the
moment, though, board member Scott Weber has taken on the duties of a volunteer
interim executive director. He can be contacted with questions or comments at [log in to unmask].
Lucy Bland volunteers a lot of her time managing both the
Community Kitchen and the Future Chefs projects. She can be contacted at [log in to unmask].
Our Growing Matters Garden manager, Heather Crull, can be contacted at [log in to unmask]. Other
board members can be contacted via our web site: www.fairfoodmatters.org
If you or someone you know would like to invest in the evolution
of this amazing and vibrant organization, please contact Scott or myself ([log in to unmask]),
and we'd be happy to help! Thank you to all of the fine folks throughout the
community that continue to ensure the success of Fair Food Matters.
FIND NEWS AND UP-TO-DATE INFO AT www.fairfoodmatters.org
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)
For information on organic
agriuclture produciton please visit:
http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/
P Please
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