What’s New in Michigan Organic Ag?
April 14 -28, 2008

Events on Crop Production and Marketing

1.       Holistic Care Approach 10^th Anniversary - April 18^th.

          2.       Spring Garden Festival. May 18. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

          3.       Taste of Summer Festival. July 13. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

4.       Michigan Grocers Association presents the MGA

          'all things food and new products'  Show. Sept. 15^th.

          5.       Fall Harvest Festival. October 19. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

6.       Join the Holt Farmers Market!

7.       Join the Williamston Farmers Market!

8.                                                                 8.       Join the Mason Farmers Market!

9.                 MIFMA supports Farmers Markets and Green products at Plymouth Market-May 3-4.

Organic Crop Production Information

10.     ALMar Orchards gains national attention for use of pigs, not pesticide.

11.     Now is a good time to monitor for mummy berry in blueberries.

12.     New Science Supports Old Advice "Eat a Variety of Foods" and Highlights the Need to Increase Nutrient Density.

13.     When the growing season begins, the Crop Advisory Team Alert follows

14.       Agriculture Policy and Government Updates- Farm Bill renewed and new one still on hold.

Job and Internship Opportunities

15.     Communications Director – Organic Farming Research Foundation. Santa Cruz, CA.

16.     Wallace Research Intern – Arlington, VA

1.       Holistic Care Approach 10^th Anniversary - April 18th

Celebrate with us at our Open House with great food, music, gifts, door prizes, and the opportunity to experience our many services!

Friday April 18^th 2-6 p.m. & Saturday April 19 10-3 p.m.

Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Ct Grand Rapids

·                                                        15 minute sessions include facials, massage, chair massage, craniosacral therapy, reiki, ear candling, paraffin dips, eyebrow waxing, acupuncture, healing touch, NAET, Pilates (you may pick 2 sessions per ticket)

·                                                        $20 donation, proceeds go to Mixed Greens/Bland ford Nature Center

·                                                        You may purchase your ticket by calling 361-9221 or email:[log in to unmask]

2.  Spring Garden Festival. May 18. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

From 9-4 you will find:

o                                                                               Vendors selling bedding plants, vegetable starts, potted herbs, garden furniture, & much more!

o                                                                               Spring crops will be available

o                                                                               Information on gardening

o                                                                               Music and cooking demos

3.  Taste of Summer Festival. July 13. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

From 9-4 happenings include:

o                                                                               Marilou Susko signing her book From Garden Gate to Dinner Plate

o                                                                               Salsa tasting and competition

o                                                                               Summer produce available

o                                                                               Music and cooking demos

4.       Michigan Grocers Association presents the MGA

 'all things food and new products'  Show

Monday September 15th 11.30am - 2.30pm

Crystal Mountain resort

Supermarkets & grocery stores in the business of selling food! …Help them capture new sales with: 

NEW items in the marketplace, Locally Sourced, Fresh, Natural & Organics, Value-added & Ready-to-eat

Healthy, Whole Grain & Allergen-free, Kitchen gear for the Home Chef ,'GREEN' Packaging, Supplies & Equipment, Services

Who will attend? Consumer- and foodie-focused Retailers that want to grow and succeed like Meijer, Kroger, Spartan (D&W Fresh, Family Fare, Glen’s, Felpausch) and top independents: Busch’s, VG’s, Martin’s, Polly’s, Village Mkts., L & L, Plumb’s, Oleson’s, Duthler’s, Ric’s, Leppink’s, Orchard Mkts., Shop-N-Save and many more…

What do you get? You get quality face time with the decision-makers (owners, buyers, management) that represent stores like these and others. It’s a one-stop shop to present your products to many of the state’s best food retailers. MGA wants to be your partner in securing new markets. We will deliver quality customers; all you have to do is sell them.

The right-sized show with the right customers to build your business.

Supermarkets & grocery stores in the business of selling food!

…Help them capture new sales with:

NEW items in the marketplace, Locally Sourced, Fresh, Natural & Organics, Value-added & Ready-to-eat

Healthy, Whole Grain & Allergen-free, Kitchen gear for the Home Chef ,'GREEN' Packaging, Supplies & Equipment, Services

Show, sample, and sell to a top-shelf audience of retailers. Former FMI Sr.VP Michael Sansolo will emcee the show floor with attention-grabbing commentary and conversation.

Special $950 per booth *incl. space in the NEW PRODUCT display

This is less than half the cost that returning exhibitors pay!

*Why such a great deal? At the 2008 Michigan Grocers conference, it’s all about the SHOW, focusing on NEW products, MORE exhibitors, and especially those with Michigan-made and eco-friendly products that consumers are clamoring for. This one-time, limited-benefit rate is for NEW exhibitors only (incl. those who haven’t been with MGA for 5 years or more).

5.       Fall Harvest Festival. October 19. At the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

From 9-4 there will be events including:

o                                                                               An apple pie baking contest

o                                                                               A pumpkin decorating contest

o                                                                               A pumpkin carving contest

o                                                                               Fall squashes and apples for sale

o                                                                               Music and cooking demos

6.       Join the Holt Farmers Market!

The Holt Farmers Market will be opening on July 12th and has openings for

farmers/producers and artisans.  We have 15 indoor facilities with electricity,

and a minimum of 15 outdoor stations. 

We are located at 2150 Cedar Street, Holt (the former Delhi Township Fire

Station).  This is a great location:  Easy in and out, and plenty of parking.

We are looking forward to our first season!

For more information contact:

Chuck Grinnell, Market Manager

(517) 694-4048 or (517) 930-2655

7.                               Join the Williamston Farmers Market!

Williamston Farmers Market still has some openings for vendors for the 2008 season.  We will be located behind City Hall at 161 E. Grand River Ave, Williamston MI  48895 this year, and have some electrical hookups available.  Season begins May 22nd, and runs Thursday afternoons 2:00-7:30 p.m.  We especially have a need for vendors of cut flowers, meat and dairy products, as well as seasonal produce.

For more information, you can contact Kris Schlicker or Michelle Aniol at 517-655-2774.

8.                               Join the Mason Farmers Market!

Mason Farmers' Market (our fourth year!) has openings Saturdays 8-12 from 2nd Saturday July through end of September. 10 miles south of Lansing, right by the courthouse.

We're doing a special Market Preview Flag day (June 14)and hope to encourage those with early crops; berries/lettuce/greens etc. and/or plants.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2008

9.  Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) to Promote Michigan Farmers and Markets at Green Street Fair

EAST LANSING, MICH – The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) will promote local food and Michigan Farmers at the Green Street Fair in downtown Plymouth on May 3 and 4, 2008.

“We want to increase our visibility to consumers and friends of Michigan farmers markets,” said Dru Montri, MIFMA Association Manager.  “As we get into the market season, we're promoting not just Michigan farmers markets, but Michigan farmers, too.”

The Green Street Fair, presented by Whole Foods Market, was founded to help educate and inform people of all ages about the benefits of green, organic, and eco-friendly products and services. This free event will showcase local and national businesses displaying, demonstrating and/or selling on-site and will blend companies, non-profit organizations, artisans, live music, workshops and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment.

For MIFMA, the emphasis is about being green and more; it’s about farmers, public health, supporting Michigan’s communities and economy and making “local food” a household term for consumers.

“The simple lifestyle change of market-shopping makes all the difference in strengthening a local economy, preserving food sustainability and security, keeping farmers in business, connecting a community, boosting the health of consumers and the environment, and taking the enjoyment of shopping and food to levels never before realized,” said Dietrich Bronner, MIFMA Board President.

MIFMA’s mission and vision are to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products and to place farmers markets at the forefront of the local food movement, ensuring that all residents have access to healthy, locally grown food and that Michigan farmers markets receive policy support.

“We really hope to do that at the Fair and to spread the word about everything that Michigan farmers markets can do for our state,” said Montri.

To read more about the Green Street Fair and the activities planned, please visit www.greenstreetfair.com, call (734) 259-2983 or email [log in to unmask].

To learn more about MIFMA, find a farmers market in your area or learn tips and tools on being an educated consumer at the market, visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

CONTACT:

Dru Montri

Michigan Farmers Market Association Manager

Ph: (517) 432-3381

Vicki Morrone

Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist

Michigan State University

C.S. Mott Group for 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 agriculture production please visit: http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/

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