1. New articles posted for the New Agriculture Network Check out www.new-ag.msu.edu for new agriculture articles such as: - Weed hosts of soybean cyst nematodes - Tomato diseases in greenhouses - Greenhouse air quality 2. Organic Census of Agriculture survey The USDA is conducting an Organic Census of Agriculture survey to learn more about how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture. The survey will look at many aspects of organic farming during the 2008 calendar year- from production and marketing practices, to income and expenses. It will focus on operations that are currently engaged in organic productions, as well as those making the transition to organic agriculture. The National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the survey in early May to all known organic producers in the U.S., and they are required to respond by June 17, 2009. Participants can mail their forms, but are encouraged to complete the survey by internet. NASS will publish results in winter 2009. Survey participants are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals. For more information about the Organic Production Survey, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 453-7501. 3. "Voices of Experience3" video series Cornell University is launching an innovative, online video series "Voices of Experience" that will help agricultural entrepreneurs successfully launch new farms in NY State. Although this series targets NY State, MI is in the same USDA 4 and 5 zones as well as having similar climate and Great Lake effects. The video series covers essential topics such as, financing farm start-ups, marketing, profitability and goal settings. In the series are actual farmers who have successfully started their own farm businesses. "Voices of Experience" online videos are available at the Beginning Farmer Project Web site: www.nybeginningfarmers.org. 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