8. Organic Farm Manager(s) The Sandpoint Institute One or more farmers needed to establish an organic farm near Sandpoint, Idaho. Sandpoint is a beautiful ski town tucked between the mountains and a 43 mile long, 1000 foot deep lake. Great access to hiking, swimming, fishing and more! We have 360 acres with 70 available to be cultivated and ideally certified organic. The rest is forested. The soil is a nice sandy loam. The 70 acres of fields are sown in a timothy, clover, brome mix hay, perfect for a small livestock operation or micro-dairy in addition to vegetable production. The rest of the land is forested and runs up the side of Missouri Mountain. The forests are a diverse mix of 7 climax species. Water is abundant with two ponds and a seasonal creek with micro-hydro potential. The one 60 foot well on the farm is tapped into the aquifer and provides clean drinking water. The buildings include a huge 1940's era traditional barn, an old milking shed, granary, sheds and the farm house located a distance from the barn. The farm house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate cabin. The Kubota tractor is in great condition, with back blade and cultivator implements. The farm will establish the setting for the Sandpoint Institute, a new educational institute for organic farming and sustainable living. The Institute is a project of the founders of OrganicVolunteers, www.GrowFood.org, a network of over 1200 farm internships in the USA and Latin America with 17,000 members. Finding interns for this farm will not be a problem. In the future, we hope to cooperate and affiliate with other organizations to bring their expertise to this sustainable living institute. Responsibilities for Farm Manager The Farm Manager will convert a portion of the 70 acres of fields into a thriving, productive and profitable organic farm. The farmer will be responsible for planning, designing, running and maintaining all operations of the farm, including marketing and sales. The farm manager will hire, train and manage any necessary employees or interns. Experience Desired Must have practical farming experience. Organic methods preferred. Livestock experience is a bonus. Business planning and management. Experience with CSAs, farmers markets and other direct marketing systems. Skilled with a tractor or other heavy machinery. Machinery repair skills a bonus. Experience with carpentry or natural building, especially straw bale construction. Irrigation systems management. Pest and disease management. Knowledge of permaculture or holistic design systems. Compensation Negotiable and depends on the situation of the candidate. A compensation package could include housing, a base salary and a portion of farm profits. We can also provide space to build a house or finish off an out building into a private residence. We are also open to a lease arrangement if the farmer wants to invest capital into the business and get all profits from the farm. We understand that undertaking such a new project in a place unfamiliar to a farmer may be a bit daunting. We have a long family history in the Sandpoint area, and can connect you with potential markets and CSA subscribers, restaurants, and helpful old-timers to provide advice on proper planting times, husbandry, trouble-shooting, and maintenance. Sandpoint boasts a thriving farmers market and growing demand for local, organic food. Application Process Please send a resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask] with the word "organic" in the subject to circumvent the junk mail filter. Phone: 206.914.9497 9. VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON WINE GRAPE PRODUCTION EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan's wine grape industry is looking for growers. "We have seen the Michigan wine industry grow steadily for more than two decades," says Tom Zabadal, Michigan State University (MSU) professor and grape specialist at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Berrien County. "There is a need for more wine grape production, especially in the northwestern and southwestern areas of the state, where wine grapes are most adaptable." For those interested in becoming involved in wine grape production, Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is holding a vineyard establishment workshop March 12-13 via teleconference at two locations: Berrien Springs and Traverse City. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 12, and from 7:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on March 13. MSU specialists and other horticulturists will provide workshop participants with information on topics ranging from vineyard start-up costs and market conditions for Michigan wine grapes to vineyard site selection, grape varieties, planting and management. The workshop fee is $250, which includes educational materials and meals. The registration deadline is February 29. Enrollment is limited, so early registration is encouraged. A copy of the program brochure can be found on this Web site: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/vanburen/grapeweb.htm, or obtained by calling the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center at 269-944-1477, ext. 201, or the Grand Traverse County MSUE office at 231-922-4626. 10. Asparagus (A Stalk-umentary) April 30, 2008 the filmmaker for "Asparagus!" is coming to Kellogg College to present her film on April 30, 8pm. Spread the word! http://www.asparagusthemovie.com/ Oceania Country is the asparagus capital of the world, see these families and farms take on U.S. War on Drugs, Free Trade, and a Fast Food Nation, all to save their beloved "roots." 11. Methods in Soil and Plant Ecology for Sustainable Systems Summer 2008 Course Announcement (CSS 893-3 Credits) Kellogg Biological Station - MSU May 12-28th o Gain experience in advanced soil and plant ecology methods o Explore combinations of plants and community assemblage for sustainable agriculture and natural area restoration o Quantify plant traits, ecophysiology and soil organism response This three week course M, W and F at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station-Michigan State University in SW Michigan will provide you with detailed knowledge of plant ecophysiology and soil ecology advanced methods in: Sustainable Agriculture Natural Area Restoration The course presents theory and practice, including hands on experience in quantifying above and belowground traits involved in: Resource Acquisition and Environmental Response Reproduction, Defense and Perenniality Nutrient and Energy Budgets Students of all institutions are welcome, and there are scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. For more information, see http://www.kbs.msu.edu/summercourses/ or contact Sieg Snapp ([log in to unmask]). Course dates: May 12-May 28, 2008 M, W& F 9-5 12. Seminar to Help Local Businesses Learn How to Become a Government Supplier. March 27. Manistee, Michigan - Did you know that the Michigan government marketplace is valued at more then $19 billion? Did you know that you can become a supplier to the State and use this as another avenue to grow your business? If you own or operate a business and are interested in becoming a supplier to the State of Michigan you will want to reserve a seat at the March 27, 2008 Buy Michigan First seminar. Facilitated by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at Northeast Michigan Consortium in Onaway and offered in cooperation with the PTAC at Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, this seminar will be at the University Center at Gaylord from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The seminar is free, but registration is required. Interested businesses or individuals need to call Deb Donovan at the PTAC at 231-929-5076 or email Deb at [log in to unmask] to register. For more information, visit http://www.allianceforeconomicsuccess.com/news-events-article-56.html. 13. Michigan Food & Petroleum Trade Show, Select Michigan Pavilion Location: Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI 48375 Dates/Times: Monday, April 28, 2008, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. Background: The Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers Annual Trade Show is a selling trade show attracting buyers from convenience stores, supermarkets, specialty stores, drug stores, bars, restaurants and service stations, featuring two days with 10 hours of uninterrupted selling. The Select Michigan Program of the Michigan Department of Agriculture will host a "Select Michigan Pavilion" at the show. The Select Michigan Program will offer exhibit space within the pavilion to Michigan food processors, specialty food companies and other food and agriculture businesses at a discounted rate. Booth Space: Ten, 10' x 10' booth, spaces are available within the Select Michigan Pavilion. Companies can reserve whole booths or half-booth spaces. Booths feature carpeting, curtained backdrop, chairs, table, company name sign, limited electricity, complimentary ice and complimentary customer tickets. First Priority: Priority will be given to companies featuring and selling products made from Michigan specialty crops. These companies will also receive a larger price discount for booth space, supplemented by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Non-specialty crop companies are welcome to participate if booth space is available, at a slightly higher rate than the specialty crop rate, but still lower than the regular exhibitor price. Booth Price: * One whole 10' x 10' booth with two 8-foot draped tables: o Specialty Crop Companies: $600.00 o Non-Specialty Crop Companies: $900.00 o (regular exhibitor booth rate: $1,025.00) * One-half of a 10' x 10' booth with one 4-foot draped table and of one 8-foot table as a prep area: o Specialty Crop Companies: $300.00 o Non-Specialty Crop Companies: $450.00 o (half-booth space is not available to companies that are not a part of the Select Michigan Pavilion) For more information, contact Jeanne Lipe, Marketing Specialist, Michigan Department of Agriculture, at 517-373-9790 or [log in to unmask] 14. Connect with Nature Through MSU Conservation Stewards Program People interested in the outdoors, natural resources, and mid-Michigan's environmental issues are invited to attend the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program beginning Saturday March 29th. This 40-hour course (modeled after the Master Gardener Program), will be hosted by Ingham County MSU Extension. Classes will be held on Saturdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm (field trips and labs) and Mondays 6-9 pm at Fenner Nature Center in Lansing. The series will continue till May 19th. The program will include a look at Michigan's conservation heritage, grassland and forest ecology, natural resource choices, wetland management, lake and stream ecology and more. During the class, students will develop environmental community service projects. The registration fee is $200 due by March 21. Space is limited to 30 people. The full program brochure and registration materials are available at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/education/stewards.cfm. For further registration information, contact Connie Vernon at Ingham County MSU Extension office by calling 517-676-7207 or email Connie at [log in to unmask] Or contact Shari Dann at [log in to unmask] or Ray Rustem at the MDNR at 517-373-2457. There will be four (4), 50% scholarships given for this program. Please write a short explanation stating the reason you would like to be considered for the $100 scholarship and submit to Connie. One Master Gardener volunteer is needed to help with each session. If you are chosen to assist Gary, you will receive free tuition to the program. The work will be similar to MG assistants. Please email Connie at [log in to unmask] immediately if you are interested. Gary will make the final decision on the assistant. Have a good week and Happy Spring!! 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