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Events ******** 8. Vegetable Cover Crop Meeting June 12, 2008 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Kellogg Biological Station, Gull Lake, MI This program will offer entry-level and advanced info on use of cover crops for sustainable and organic vegetable farmers. The MSU Vegetable Area of Expertise team is presenting this program to encourage and enable Michigan farmers and other agricultural professionals to integrate cover crops with sustainable vegetable production. Through a series of speakers, the program will address: cover crops in organic tomato and cucumber systems, nutrient management using cover crops, the role of cover crops in soil health and root disease management, weeds and nitrogen, perennial wheat systems, comparisons of cover cropping systems for intensive vegetable systems, multi-cover cropping, and no-till organic systems. The meeting will include a KBS field tour, and will also include a provided lunch! Registration and a registration fee of $25 are due by June 6th. Please make checks payable to Michigan State University Extension; mail checks and registration to MSUE- Oceana County Extension c/o Kathy, 210 Johnson St. E, Hart, MI 49420. You may also register the day of the event; the registration fee in this case is $40. For a complete agenda of the meeting and the registration form, please see http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/Portals/organic/2008%20Cover%20Crop%20Pro gram.pdf For additional information, please visit www.michiganorganic.msu.edu or contact the Oceana County Extension office (phone: 231-873-2129; or email Kathy at [log in to unmask]). ******* 9. "Buy Local Day" Farmers' Market Thursday, July 24, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE! State Capitol Lawn (along Capitol Avenue), Lansing, MI This market event is sponsored by MIFFS, MDA, the Michigan Farmers Market Association, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. About the Market: The Buy Fresh, Buy Local – Select Michigan Farmers' Market, to be held on Thursday, July 24, 2008, is the first in a series of special markets planned this summer to promote locally grown and processed food and agriculture products and Michigan's farmers' markets operating throughout the season. These markets are sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Michigan Food & Farming Systems, with funding from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, and additional support from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Who Can Participate and What Can Be Sold: Vendor space is open to any Michigan grower, specialty food processor or non-food agricultural product producer. The market has space for 40 vendors who produce and sell Michigan farm products and specialty foods. There will also be several booth spaces available for non-profit organizations who promote the benefits of local foods. Priority will be given to vendors selling products made from Michigan specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture). An effort will also be made to assure variety in the products being sold. All products sold at your stand must be Michigan grown, processed or manufactured food and/or agriculture products. More information can be found here: http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/Portals/organic/2008%20Farmers%20Market%2 0Vendor%20Info.doc The vendor application may be found here: http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/Portals/organic/2008%20July%20Farmers%20M arket%20Vendor%20App.pdf The vendor bio form may be found here: http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/Portals/organic/Vendor%20Bio%20Form-1.doc Vendor applications are now being accepted for this event. Vendors will be chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to specialty crop producers and MIFFS and MIFMA members. If you are interested in being a vendor at this free market and meet the eligibility requirements, please complete the vendor application form and vendor biographical information form, and return them by Monday, June 9, 2008, to: Jeanne Lipe Michigan Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909 [log in to unmask] 517-373-9790 office 517-242-2961 cell 517-335-0628 fax Questions? If you have questions about the farmers' market or this information, please contact Jeanne Lipe, 517/373-9790 (office) or 517/242-2961 (cell). ******* 10. Walking tour of the MSU Student Organic Farm Thursday, June 19, 3-5 p.m. 3291 College Road Holt, MI 48842 For more information about the MSU SOF, visit their beautiful website at: http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/home.php/ Please email or call Adam Montri ([log in to unmask] or 517.432.3381) if you plan to attend this tour. There is no registration charge, but space is limited! ******* 11. Day-long workshop at the MSU Student Organic Farm Tuesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 3291 College Road Holt, MI 48842 This day-long workshop will feature a total farm tour and in-depth discussion of production and marketing techniques used by the farm, including field and hoophouse production, soil management, crop planning and scheduling, and CSA and farmstand sales. For a taste of what the tour will offer, visit: http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/home.php/ Please email or call Adam Montri ([log in to unmask] or 517.432.3381) if you plan to attend this tour. There is no registration charge, but space is limited! ******* 12. High Tunnel Tour of England October 5-9, 2008 We are organizing a 5-day bus tour of high tunnel culture in England for growers, Extension folks, or any other interested people. Cost is $800 per person ($700 double), which includes most meals and all lodging (flight to London not included). Ralph Kramer, the Haygrove High Tunnels representative for the Eastern U.S., developed the itinerary. We will tour cherries, raspberries, and strawberries and possibly other crops under tunnels, see the latest developments in tunnel structures, poly, management demos, packing sheds, strawberry harvesting rigs, etc. We will also visit Warwick Castle. Lodging will be in mid-level hotels on the outskirts of the cities. Deadline for registration is August 22, but you may want to register and purchase your air ticket earlier. Full details and registration forms are posted at: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/TUNNELTOUR/ Contact Eric Hanson at MSU (517-355-5191 x1386, mailto: [log in to unmask]) with any questions. ******* 13. From Your Table to Market- Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education Event Monday, June 23 Do you make a killer salsa? Is your hummus the envy of Leelanau County? This day-long workshop is designed to fast-track you, the food entrepreneur, through the business process from the planning stages to the finished product. You will get the information you need to take your food product idea and research its viability in the marketplace, perform cost projections, proto-type, scale the recipe for production, research packaging concepts, production variables, and private-label options, meet government regulations, and develop relationships with the appropriate processor and distributor. The day includes featured guest speakers representing the food processing and distribution industry. The course is taught in cooperation with the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center and Food for Thought. The event will be from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the NMC University Center Campus, Rm. 207. Cost: $79, includes lunch & materials The instructor of the class will be Chris Wendel. He holds a B.A. in economics and is the Regional Director of the Michigan Small Business Development and Technology Center, after serving as a business counselor for the same organization since 1993. With over 20 years of retail experience, Chris has also worked in marketing and manufacturing. For program information and registration, visit: http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/Portals/organic/From%20Table%20to%20Marke t%20(2).pdf ******* 14. Battle Creek U-Pick Strawberries! The Wylly's are offering U Pick Strawberries. They are a farm in their 1 year transition to organic. They are located at 20975 Pink Lake Rd in Battle Creek, MI, 49014. Located off 66 N in Battle Creek, Go right on Penfield road, then at T go Left on Pine Lake Rd. They are the 4th house on left. Their hours are 9-7 but call in to check status. Call David and Shirley Wyllys at Phone 269-964-3942. They will probably not be picking till around the 20th of this June due to FOUR frosts! ******** 15. Fennville Organic U-Pick Strawberries We are opening the Organic U-pick for the season on Saturday June 14th. We will be open Sat and Sun 10-6pm (or by appointment as available). We are located at 5889 124Th Avenue (M-89) Fennville, MI. Please follow the signs to the parking area. Before traveling please call the u-pick hot-line: 616 510 9113 for updates and harvest information as we expect that we will sell out often. We will update the information on the voice-mail more often then we will update the website: www.kismetorganics.com . Prices will be set opening week -and will be noted on the u-pick hot-line. In an effort to conserve resources we will offer a discount for those who bring there own used quart berry containers and flats ( 8qt flats for strawberries 12 pt flats for raspberries). The strawberries are looking great - Hazel (our daughter) gives the juicy red thumbs up for the first tastes so far! We look forward to providing fruit for you and your families throughout the summer and until October 19Th (weather permitting). Thank you, Mari Reijmerink Mari,Chris and Hazel Reijmerink Kismet Organics, A family fruit farm. Fennville Michigan U.S.A, Earth. ******** 16. Cushman Creek Produce Meeting Saturday, June 17, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Robert Byler Farm 8607 W. 68th Fremont, MI 49412 This meeting, sponsored by Cushman Creek Supply, will host three talks. Gary Shafer will discuss "Maximizing Productive Potential & Managing Plant Stress," Ralph Kramer will discuss "Growing Vegetables in Hay Grove High Tunnels," and Jacob Hochstetler will discuss "The Benefits of Cover Cropping." Families are welcome, and lunch will be provided! Please call (231) 924-7014 for more information! ******** 17. MSU Student Organic Farm – On-campus Summer Farmstand Every Thursday until November, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. On Farm Lane in front of the Auditorium Building (just North of the Red Cedar River) We are currently offering a wide variety of greens including spinach, salad mix, lettuce, kale, choi, swiss chard and more. We also have scallions, leeks, potatoes, herbs, sunchokes, transplants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs), and strawberries, YES a few lucky customers will get the FIRST strawberries of the season! We also have small, cute bouquets of cut flowers. You can also pick up your Student Organic Farm t-shirt too! ******* 18. Genesee County 2008 MG Garden Tour Sunday June 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Genesee County Genesee County's largest Garden Tour is just around the corner! Please join us in touring some of the most outstanding gardens in the southern half of the county, Sunday June 29, 10am to 6pm. Master Gardener Volunteers will be at the Welcome Table to help at each site. Detailed maps will be available at each garden site. ------- Advance tickets will be available at the MSU Extension office June 1st for $10.00, $2.00 for children under 12. Advance tickets will also be sold at: Arrowood Nursery G-5178 Corunna Rd. Flint Twp.; Bordine Nursery 9100 Torrey Rd. Grand Blanc; Carlson's Greenhouse 10245 Torrey Rd. Mundy Twp.; Gerych Flowers & Gifts 713 W Silver Lake Rd. Fenton; Jenny B's Garden Party G9063 Clio Rd. Clio; Wojo's 7360 E Court Davison. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour, June 29th, at any one of the garden sites listed below. -------- All the gardens will be open for your viewing on June 29 from 10 a – 6 p: MSU Extension, G-4215 W. Pasadena, Flint; Dorothy Lovett 5042 W. Hill Rd Swartz Creek, Cheryl Lovett 5068 W Hill Rd Swartz Creek, Patricia Wendt 9316 Ray Rd. Gaines, Michelle Gettler 9399 Smith Rd Gaines, Joanne Gettler 9507 Smith Rd. Gaines, Carmoleta Foley 4199 Rolston Rd. Linden, Patty O'Dwyer (Briar Rose Gifts) 126 Bridge St. Linden, Patty Delavy 11192 Tyrone Trail Fenton, Sean & Elaine Rosenkrans (Wolcott House) 610 W Silver Lake Rd. Fenton, Genesee Master Gardener Project at US 23 Rest Area Northbound, Fenton. NOTE: Gardens open only on this specific day and time. For more information, contact 244-8547 or view the MG Garden Tour flyer posted at www.msue.msu.edu/genesee Thank you, Terry McLean MSU Extension-Genesee County Horticulture Educator/Master Gardener Coordinator 4215 W. Pasadena Ave, Flint, MI 48504 Phone: 810-244-8530 Fax: 810-249-5366 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Genesee County Homepage: www.msue.msu.edu/genesee Michigan Master Gardener Homepage: www.msue.msu.edu/mastergardener / 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