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*EVENTS* *(June 24, 2010)* * The Michigan Garden Plant Tour * *When:* August 2-13, 2010 *Where:* 8 sites around Michigan (visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu to view map of sites) *Why: *Come enjoy the seventh annual Michigan Garden Plant Tour, a coordinated open house of leading young ornamental plant producers and Michigan State University. There are eight participating Tour sites during the 2-week period (visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu to view map of sites). Expect to see impressive displays of flowering plant material, including all of the commercial brands of annuals, perennials, and shrubs. Take a day trip to visit a couple of sites, or complete the entire loop for the full tour. Visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu to view the map to help locate the sites and plan your route. *How:* The Michigan Garden Plant Tour is completely free, but growers would appreciate a call ahead to know you'll be coming. For more information on the Michigan Garden Plant Tour, please contact Tour coordinators Jennifer Sweet (phone 517-355-5191 x1339) or Erik Runkle (phone 517-355-5191 x1350). * Detroit Agriculture Network Urban Bus and Bike Tour* * When: *August 5, 2010 *Where:* All tours start at the Catherine Ferguson Academy (2750 Selden in Detroit.) Sign in begins at 5pm and the tour starts sharply at 6pm. *Why: *This year’s tour will highlight a selection of prosperous, innovative, and visually stunning gardens and farms that are contributing to the new food system through bio‐intensive urban agriculture and commerce between local restaurants and farmer’s markets. The Garden Resource Program Collaborative (GRPC) works to support the emergence of a new, sustainable food system in Detroit through a network of more than 517 backyard gardens, 244 community gardens, and 46 school gardens. The GRPC facilitates resources, education, and training of urban gardeners, farmers, and community leaders through a variety of programming. The bicycle tour will “weave through gardens located in the Cass Corridor, Woodbridge, and Greater Corktown.” At the end of the tour will be locally-grown food and refreshments created by local chefs! And for those that can’t make it August 5th, there is a Garden Bike Tour on August 15th just south of the border. It’s part of Windsor’s 2nd Annual Summer Harvest Festival. (via Bike Windsor) *How:* Register ahead of time by contacting Ashley Atkinson at (313) 237‐8736 or via email at [log in to unmask] The tour fee is a sliding scale from $1 to $20 which offsets costs and helps “grow Detroit’s agricultural movement.” Press Release: * http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2009/08/02/urban-agriculture-bike-tours* *MSU Garden Plant Showcase ** When: *August 10, 2010, from 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. *Where:* Michigan State University *Why:* You’ll hear the latest on new annuals and perennials, see unbiased garden performance of ornamentals, and hear directly from many of the breading companies about their favorite plants. In addition to the walking through the trial gardens, hear presentations from MSU faculty and staff about top-performing plants. New for 2010: Representatives from many of the major breeding companies, including Ball Horticulture, Benary, Danziger, Dummen, Floranova, Paul Ecke Ranch, Plug Connection, Proven Winners, and Sakata, will present highlights of some of their favorite new introductions and proven performers. Below is the tentative program. Stay tuned for registration information. *How:* The MSU showcase requires advance registration. Cost: $42 per person (received by July 30) or $52 per person (received after July 30), Registration fee includes, coffee, lunch, parking, 1 trial booklet, and program), plus $5 per copy for additional trial booklets. Visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu/showcas to download registration form and view tentative schedule. Any questions contact: Jennifer Sweet Phone: (517) 355-5191 x1339 E-mail: [log in to unmask] *Edible Flint Urban Agriculture Bus Tour* *When: *5:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 2010 * Where/Why: *Details: Buses depart from Flint Farmers' Market to tour six urban garden initiatives around the city. The free evening includes a light meal featuring local snacks following the guided tour. *How:* To register: (810) 257-3088 ext. 536 or e-mail: [log in to unmask] by Aug. 28. 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