1. National Organic Action Plan (NOAP) Summit 2009
2. Meijer Distribution Center Tour
3. Lansing Area Youth Gardening Conference
4. 2009 Lake Erie Regional Grape Growers' Conference
5. 2nd Annual Organic Food & Farm Reporting Session

News
6. 2009 Call for Youth and Youth Educator Grant Proposals

Job/Internship Opportunities
7. Young Family Farm Internship
8. Part-time Support Staff, Michigan Farmers Market Association

Events
NOAP Summit Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 12:30-8 p.m. and Thursday Feb 26, 2009 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The National Organic Action Plan Project (NOAP) is a collaborative civil society initiative engaging organic community participants across the country to articulate their vision for the future of organic food and farming in the decades. In February 2009, a 1-1/2-day Summit will be held to review the results of the national input, and work from the draft plan currently being developed to build consensus for a Plan.  This Plan can then be used by policy advocates, in advancing federal policy objectives in Washington;  state and local governments to work on other policy initiatives; and consumers, retailers and industry to advance innovative marketplace goals to ensure the integrity of organic in their local arena.
This event is just prior to MOSES Organic Farming Conference 20th Anniversary!
Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, Wisconsin

To download the NOAP Summit Document: http://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/FINALSMALLjan16.pdf
More Information on the NOAP Project and Summit:
http://nationalorganiccoalition.org/SummitDescriptionforweb12-19-08.pdf
For Summit Registration Form:
http://nationalorganiccoalition.org/NOAPregistrationform.pdf
For Online Registration:  http://www.rafiusa.org/justfoods/noapregister.html
For more information on the MOSES Organic Conference, go to http://www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html

On Thursday January 29, 2009 from 1-3pm Meijer Distribution Center is having a tour about their good handling practices.  Come see how Meijer does quality control in their product area as you tour the distribution area.  Learn about selling produce to them and maintaining high quality throughout the cooling chain. Contact MIFFS for more information or to RSVP at 517-432-0712 or email [log in to unmask]. There is no cost to attend, but you must register by Tuesday January 27, 2009.

The conference takes place March 14, 2009 from 9am-3:30pm at Foster Community Center Lansing, MI.  Registration for the event is $5 which includes lunch. The goal is to reach out to youth leaders and youth who are or want to be a part of the youth gardening effort. For registration form and conference agenda visit http://michiganorganic.msu.edu

The 2009 Lake Erie Regional Grape Growers' Conference takes place March 18-19, 2009, at SUNY Fredonia Williams Center, Fredonia, NY. For registration form and agenda details visit http://michiganorganic.msu.edu and scroll down to event.

Check out the latest research on Organic Production and Marketing during MSU's ANR week. Featuring organic research and outreach conducted around Michigan on Friday March 6, 2009 from 9am-4pm. Presentations will be 10 minutes plus 2 minutes for questions. Topics will include Marketing and Outreach, Vegetable and Fruit Production, Crop Production, and Cropping Systems.  
News
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program announces the 2009 Call for Proposals for Youth & Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants. These grants are an exciting new part of the Farmer Rancher Grant program. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture.

There are two options:
1. YOUTH GRANTS. These are grants for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-21. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore sustainable agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about sustainable agriculture or attending a sustainable agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.
2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS. These are grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.

The deadline for Youth Grant proposals is 4:30 pm, Friday, January 30, 2009.
For more information visit: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/cfp.htm or contact Joan Benjamin at 402-472-0809, 1-800-529-1342 or [log in to unmask]

Job/Internship Opportunity
The Young Family Farm is organic and offering 2 positions as interns for the 2009 season. Lean through practice and discussion the mixed techniques vital to producing and marketing a spectrum of annual Michigan produce. They grow for CSA farmers, markets, retailers, restaurants, and wholesalers. They farm is building toward a more integrated permacultural design and emphasize sustainability in planning. Eco-agritourism will be developed and discussed as well.

The positions will start ASAP after spring semester to work through the fall (around mid-Nov) but will consider internships through August where needed.  A living space is provided tailored mostly to the needs of the intern. All farm produce is free and interns can purchase other foodstuffs through 2 buying clubs. Stipend is set at $50/week in April and May, then expands as a percentage of market sales that interns manage ($100+/week). Expected hour's 40-60/week? In hot weeks this could be a split day of 6:30-11:30 and 4-9:30. Interns may take a week-long off-farm stint for rest or other learning opportunities during the April 1st to Nov. 1st program.
 
Contact us prior to the Michigan Organic Conference to arrange for an interview during the conference. If unable to attend, please still make contact if you can arrange a time to meet at the farm before the Equinox.  Please phone (517) 427-0423 or email [log in to unmask] or write to Eater's Guild Farm, 26041 C. R. 681, Bangor, MI 49013. Visit their website www.eatersguild.com for more information on the farm.

MIFMA is seeking a part-time support person to assist with daily management tasks. This person will report to the Association Manager. Application Deadline: January 20, 2009. Position Start Date: February 2009. Location 416 Agriculture Hall, MSU, East Lansing, MI. Compensation: $8/hr up to 10hr per week.

Position Duties:
• Assist in organizing educational programs, workshops and training sessions
• Participate in committee meetings and write meeting summaries as needed
• Help manage the membership database and participate in membership recruitment  
• Assist with mailings, communications and general office duties
• Assist with organizing resource materials
• Other duties assigned

Qualifications:
• Strong organizational skills  
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Additional Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have an interest in food and farming issues and experience related to famers markets, even if it simply involves shopping at farmers markets.

Application Process: The Michigan Farmers Market Association operates under the umbrella of Michigan Food and Farming Systems-MIFFS. MIFFS is an equal opportunity employer.
Please e-mail a cover letter and your resume, including references, to Dru Montri at [log in to unmask]. Candidates interested in volunteering in addition to hours spent working should indicate so in their cover letter.