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*Upcoming Events Reminder* *2010 Michigan Family Farms Conference* *When: *January 16, 2010 * Where:* Lakeview High School, Battle Creek, MI * Why:* This is the 7th annual Michigan Family Farms Conference. Come discuss challenges and growth opportunities for small and limited resource family farms. This years keynote speaker is Corey Flournoy. He was the first ever non-rural, African-American national FFA president in 1994-1995. Today, he is the co-founder of Creative Outreach consulting whose mission is to help adults seek, discover and capitalize upon the creative elements of success within in order to make a positive contribution to our world. Education sessions include bioenergy for small farmers, organic a specialty crop production, high tech marketing, high tunnels, entrepreneurship, food safety, crop pollination, grass-based dairies, and much more! * How:* Register online now at* www.miffs.org*. Registration includes, lunch, educational sessions, and keynote presentation. Early-bird Registration (before Jan 10) cost is $30 per person, $25 for MIFFS member or $20 for youth. Registration after Jan 10 or at the door is $40 per person and does not guarantee lunch, so register early. No refunds after Jan 10. * * *11th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference* * When:* January 29-30, 2010 * Where:* Grayling High School, Garyling, MI *Why*: Come hear success stories from farmers who are meeting the challenges of today’s agricultural world with new found passion and creative production, marketing, and management strategies. Friday’s Keynote speaker is Melinda Hemmelgarn, Nutrition and Health Communications Consultant. She is speaking on “Thinking Beyond our Plates: Critical Questions to Find Food Truth”. Saturday’s keynote speaker is Gary Zimmer, President of Midwestern Bio-Ag. He’s speaking on “Value Added: For You, For the Environment and for the Consumer”. The youth keynote speaker is Daniel Salatin, from Polyface Farm. He’s speaking on “Growing Up Joel’s Son: The Real Story”. The conference also includes two concurrent breakout sessions on an array of topics such as permaculture, hydroponics, raising organic chickens, grass based dairy, integrating animals into your farm, storage and season extension, farm to school, Saskatoons, farm sized wind energy and much more permaculture, hydroponics, raising organic chickens, grass based dairy, integrating animals into your farm, storage and season extension, farm to school, Saskatoons, farm sized wind energy and much more. A lunch featuring local foods is included in the registration fee. * How:* Register online at *www.michiganorganic.msu.edu* by visiting the event tab. Or visit *www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=26792*. Cost: $45 for 1st person ($30 for additional group members), and $15 for children. Deadline is Jan 23, 2010. Sorry No Refunds. Late of Walk in Registration will be charged additional $15 per person and does not guarantee lunch. *3ed Annual Michigan Organic Food & Farming Reporting Session & Poster Contest * *When:* Friday, March 5, 2010 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. * Where:* Riverside Room, Kellogg Conference Center, East Lansing, MI *Why:* This event features organic research and outreach conducted around Michigan. Presentation topics include: - Season Extension - Vegetable & Fruit Production Systems - Innovative Pest Management - Building Community Food Systems Reception during Graduate Student Poster Presentations, with a cash reward for top 3 posters. *How:* Registration information coming soon. To view event flier visit * www.michiganorganic.msu.edu* Questions contact Vicki Morrone-Organic farming outreach coordinator, (517)353-3542 or [log in to unmask] 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