What’s New in Michigan Organics? Sept 12-Oct 7 Listserv

 

News

 

1.         USDA Makes Available Organic Certification Cost Assistance to Eligible Producers and Handlers

 

2.     The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) now has a web site

 

3.         Wind Energy Options for the U.P.

 

4.     Farm Community Forming

Events

5.     2008 Organic Farming Conference

6.     Welcome to the New Roseland Farms Market

7.     Community Supported Agriculture(CSA) Training Workshop

Job Opportunities

7.      Science Coordinator- KBS Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Project Michigan State University

8.      International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)- Seeks a IFOAM Executive Director.

                        

1.     USDA Makes Available Organic Certification Cost Assistance to Eligible Producers and Handlers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that $22 million in federal funds are available for organic certification cost assistance. The funds are available for producers and handlers of organic agricultural products in any state of the United States of America, its territories, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (hereinafter called states).
 
The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 6523), will allocate funds in proportion to the number of organic producers and handlers within each state. The states in turn, will reimburse each eligible producer or handler up to 75 percent of its organic certification costs, not to exceed $750.
 
To be eligible for reimbursement, an organic production or handling operation must be located within a qualified state, comply with the USDA National Organic Program regulations for organic production or handling and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
 
Applications by states for federal assistance and cooperative agreements must be requested from and submitted to: Robert Pooler, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA Stop 0268, Room 4008-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250-0264; tel. (202) 720-3252; fax (202) 205-7808.
 
Additional information is available on the National Organic Program's home page: www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

 

AMS 172-08 Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998 [log in to unmask] Billy Cox (202) 720-8998 [log in to unmask]

 

2. The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) now has a web site

       

Over the last three years several MSU people have been involved in developing a NCR cover crop information tool.  The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) now has a web site.

 

www.mccc.msu.edu

 

Please let me know what you think.

Dale

 

Dale R. Mutch PhD

Extension Specialist/Field Crops IPM and Cover Crops

Coordinator Land and Water Program

NCRSARE State Coordinator

MSU Kellogg Biological Station

Land and Water Program

3700 E. Gull Lake Drive

Hickory Corners, MI 49060

269-671-2412, ext. 224

1-800 521-2619

269-671-4485 (fax)

[log in to unmask]

www.covercrops.msu.edu

www.new-ag.msu.edu

www.misare.msu.edu

 

3. Wind Energy Options for the U.P.

On Thursday, October 9 there will be a meeting about wind energy opportunities for the U.P. at Bay College in Escanaba.  It will be held in Room 525 located next to the cafeteria on the north end of campus. The program will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

The meeting will feature Dr. Steve Harsh from the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University. He will discuss opportunities for wind energy in Michigan and the United States. He will also talk about the legal issues and related concerns for landowners who want to get involved in wind energy. He will address his comments in regards to small and large scale wind energy systems

 

Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University. He will discuss opportunities for wind energy in Michigan and the United States. He will also talk about the legal issues and related concerns for landowners who want to get involved in wind energy. He will address his comments in regards to small and large scale wind energy systems related concerns for landowners who want to get involved in wind energy. He will address his comments in regards to small and large scale wind energy systems.

 

Community-Owned Wind Projects and Funding Opportunities will be presented by Warren Schauer, MSU Extension Educator, District Farm Management.

 

The program is sponsored by MSU Extension. Cost is $5.00 per person collected at the door. For more information contact MSU Extension of Delta County at 906-786-3032.

 

4. Farm Community Forming

Orofino Creek Farm: diversified agrarian community, a demonstration organic farm, a major networking centre, an alternative 'universe city', a retreat centre, several kinds of schools for both adults and children, a country inn, a guest ranch, heritage preservation and tourism, eco-tourism, some research and development projects in alternative energy generation and energy conservation, nutrition, health, environmental recovery, an alternative university comprised of similar projects all over the world linked together by state of the art communications technology and a shared philosophy of open-ended, earth-connected, collaborative, heart-based love, wisdom, and stewardship????

We are putting out a call for participants and supporters, drawing together people who come from many walks of life and yet share a strong commitment to sustainable on agriculture, nutritional awareness and a positive future for all. The farm was purchased October 26th, 2007. It comprises 152 acres and is located about ten miles outside of Oliver, BC, only about an hour north of Tonasket, WA. For a small investment you can become part of this vibrant, nascent community. There are many other ways to participate. Money is not a pre-requisite. Barter will be a strong pillar of the proposed alternative community.

 

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