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.
NEWS
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 <http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop> .
AMS 172-08 Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998 [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[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.
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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