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>>
>> July 8, 2010
>>
>> *News*
>>
>>
>>
>> *Food vs. Fuel: MSU Scientists Say Growing Grain for Food is More Energy
>> Efficient.*
>>
>> Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more
>> energy efficient, Michigan State University scientists concluded, after
>> poring over 17 years’ worth of data to help settle the food versus fuel
>> debate. "It's 36 percent more efficient to grow grain for food than for
>> fuel," said Ilya Gelfand, an MSU postdoctoral researcher. "The ideal is to
>> grow corn for food, then leave half the leftover stalks and leaves on the
>> field for soil conservation and produce cellulosic ethanol with the other
>> half." Other studies have looked at energy efficiencies for crops over
>> shorter time periods, but this MSU study is the first to consider energy
>> balances of an entire cropping system over many years. The results are
>> published in the April 19 online issue of the journal Environmental Science
>> & Technology.
>> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x242784
>> *
>>
>> Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses by David Conner*
>>
>> David Conner, Assistant Professor with the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable
>> Food Systems at MSU has developed a model business plan for hoophouses. The
>> goal is to create a model which a prospective farmer may use to create his
>> or her own business plan, which the farmer can use to obtain credit to
>> purchase one and to guide its successful use. The plan is based on results
>> of research and knowledge gleaned from outreach efforts, in collaboration
>> with MSU colleagues including Mike Hamm, Adam Montri, John Biernbaum and
>> Kurt Waldman.
>>
>> A copy of the plan is available at:  *
>> http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=NgeFE8B%2bsCY%3d&tabid=150
>> *
>>
>> Or *http://tinyurl.com/39xbbxa*
>>
>> David would appreciate any feedback on the plan, particularly how if it is
>> used by farmers. You may email him at [log in to unmask]
>>
>> *
>> Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships*
>>
>> Annie’s brand products offer a Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
>> program, which they award $50,000 in scholarships each year to deserving
>> students. Sustainable and organic agriculture is the root of their
>> philosophy. They believe that healthy soils and healthy farms are the
>> foundations for healthy foods, which help make healthy people.
>>
>> The application period for the 2010/2011 school year has closed.
>> Applications for the 2011/2012 school year will be available in Fall 2010.
>>
>> Among the list of 2010/20111 scholarship winners is Brendan Sinclair a
>> Michigan State University received $10,000. Brendan is a junior majoring in
>> Environmental Studies and Agroecology, who also works on the Student Organic
>> Farm. He is a part of the Ecological Food and Farm Stewardship, a student
>> organization that raises awareness about eating sustainably and the
>> importance of eating locally grown organic food in alignment with the
>> seasons.
>>
>> To see the complete list of recipients and read more about the scholarship
>> program visit *http://www.annies.com/sustainable_agriculture_scholarship*
>> .
>>
>>
>> *Business Development Workshops*
>>
>> Are you a budding entrepreneurial but would like some more help starting
>> your businesses? The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development
>> Center at GVSU is offering 58 courses this month alone, and most are FREE.
>>
>> Classes range from Pre-Business Research and the Fundamentals of Starting
>> a Business to more in-depth classes in finance, legal issues, customer
>> service, marketing and sales. There’s even a class called Product
>> Development 101: Transforming Good Ideas into Marketable Products.
>>
>> To view classes offered visit *http://www.misbtdc.net/events.aspx*.
>>
>>
>> *Regional Extension Reports Available*
>>
>> New articles published in the MSU Vegetable CAT Alert newsletter. See
>> what’s happening in your neck of the woods in terms of the weather and crop
>> report.  Visit the webpage, http://ipmnews.msu.edu/vegetable/ to read the
>> articles. The pdf is also available.
>>
>>
>>    - SW Michigan Research and Extension Center regional report for June
>>    30
>>    - Grand Rapids Area regional report for June 3
>>    - Oceana County regional report for June 30
>>    - Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair counties regional report for June 30
>>    - SE Michigan: Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Lenawee counties regional
>>    report for June 30
>>
>>
>> *Organic Tree Fruit Certification Fact Sheet Now Available*
>>
>> The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) have just
>> released an “Organic Tree Fruit Certification” fact sheet (available in
>> pdf). The publication is free and available at
>> http://www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/productioninfo/fstreefruitcertification.html
>> .
>>
>>  Whether you are transitioning, planting a new orchard or renovating and
>> old one, there are similar issues you will need to address in order to grow
>> and market tree fruit.  Organic certification opens up new marketing
>> op­portunities for growers who use organic manage­ment. Consumer demand for
>> tree fruit that is or­ganically certified and locally grown is on the rise.
>> This publication will help you address these issues.
>>
>> Topics of interest include:
>>
>>
>>    - Soil fertility
>>    - Planting stock and seeds
>>    - Pest disease management
>>    - Production inputs
>>    - Post harvest handling, valued added sales
>>
>>
>> You can also find additional information on organic certification at *
>> www.michiganorganic.msu.edu* under the organic certification tab.
>>
>> *
>> Supreme Court Ruling in Monsanto Case is Victory for Center for Food
>> Safety*
>>
>> The Center for Food Safety today celebrated the United States Supreme
>> Court's decision in Monsanto vs. Geerston Farms, the first genetically
>> modified crop case ever brought before the Supreme Court. Although the High
>> Court decision reverses parts of the lower courts' rulings, the judgment
>> holds that a vacatur bars the planting of Monsanto's Roundup Ready Alfalfa
>> until and unless future deregulation occurs. It is a victory for the Center
>> for Food Safety and the Farmers and Consumers it represents. The decision
>> today means that the selling and planting of Roundup Ready Alfalfa is
>> illegal. The ban on the crop will remain in place until a full and adequate
>> EIS is prepared by USDA and they officially deregulate the crop.
>>
>> To read full press release visit: *
>> http://www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/news/news6.21gmocourtrule.pdf* or
>> check out the announcement tab at *www.michiganorganic.msu.edu* .
>>
>> *
>> Make Sure All Workers Get the Same Gap Orientation by Phil Tocco, Michigan
>> State University*
>>
>> There are certain things a farm worker needs to know, whether it’s the
>> proper way to wash their hands or where the first aid kit is. This can all
>> be covered using a Good Agriculture Practice Manual (GAPs). In this article
>> you will learn some helpful tips to orientate your farm workers to good
>> health practices at the beginning of the season. To read entire article
>> visit www.michiganorganic.msu.edu under the food safety tab.
>>
>
>
>> *
>> *
>> *EVENTS*
>>
>
>
>> *
>> *
>>
>> *Local Foods Dinner at Westwind Milling Company*
>>
>> When: July 14, 2010, from 6-8:30 p.m.
>>
>> Where: Westwind Milling Company, 8572 Silver Lake Road, Linden, MI
>> 48451-8302,
>>
>> Why: Dinner will feature fresh organic, Michigan grown summer foods.
>> Dinner includes steamed greens with lemon and a fresh caesar salad made with
>> buttercrunch lettuce, Hill's cheese & Al-Mar's bacon. The main course will
>> be a stir fry of baby carrots, baby beets snow peas & dill mixed with our
>> own spelt pasta. Dessert will be strawberry shortcake with spelt biscuits,
>> Calder's whipped cream and strawberry sauce from Ware Farm's strawberries.
>>
>> After dinner, Dr. Acox will discuss the health benefits of chiropractics,
>> its effects on the nervous system and general well being. Bring a friend, as
>> he will show people how to find and manipulate trigger points for the most
>> health benefit to an individual.
>>
>> How: Cost is $15 each. Call and send in a check in advance to reserve a
>> spot. Westwind Milling Company, 8572 Silver Lake Road, Linden, MI
>> 48451-8302, (810) 735-9192.
>> *
>>
>> Sprayer Calibration Clinic available at MSU's Ag Expo
>> *
>>
>> When: July 21, 2010, from 8:30-12:30 p.m.
>>
>> Where: Crop and Soil Science Research, Intersection of Beaumont Rd and Mt.
>> Hope Rd
>>
>> Why: MSU instructors and industry representatives will be presenting the
>> latest methods on calibrating spraying equipment. The clinic will include a
>> demonstration of how to determine sprayer output, use of electronic controls
>> and how much pesticide needs to be used. Refreshments will be served. Earn 4
>> recertification credits in core (private or commercial) or in categories 1A
>> or 1B.
>>
>> How: Cost is $50. To register, visit *www.pested.msu.edu* or contact
>> Carolyn Lewis at (517)884-0392. Register by July 19 to reserve your seat.
>> For more information, contact John Stone via phone (517)353-5134 or email:
>> *[log in to unmask]*.
>>
>>
>> *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 (517) 355-5191 x1339 or Erik Runkle (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]
>>
>> *
>> Organic Certification Cost Share Available to Michigan Certified Organic
>> Farmers & Processors*
>>
>> If you are a certified organic farmer and this is your first or 15th year
>> of certification then you are eligible for cost share from the US
>> government. These funds are available through the US Farm Bill.  A farmer
>> can receive up to 75% of the cost of certification with a maximum of $750
>> dollars.  To receive this payment, you just need to complete a one page form
>> with basic information, send a copy of your certification and a copy of your
>> payment receipt. Upon verification of eligibility you will be sent a check.
>> Please be sure to send in all needed info to assure your application is
>> promptly processed.
>>
>> The cost share that is available through the 2008 Farm Bill will be
>> available to all organic certified farmers. The purpose of these funds is to
>> help offset the cost of certification paid by farmers. This service is being
>> administered by Michigan Organic Food and Farming Alliance this year. Due to
>> budget cuts the Michigan Department of Agriculture will not be providing
>> this service but they will oversee the work conducted by MOFFA non-profit
>> 501-3c organization. (www.MOFFA.org <http://www.moffa.org/>).
>>
>> Perspective farmers and processors eligible for the cost share will be
>> sent an application through the US mail. Certified organic Michigan farmers
>> who do not receive a letter can also apply by accessing the form through the
>> MOFFA web site (www.MOFFA.org <http://www.moffa.org/>) or calling MOFFA
>> to have an application sent to you (248-262-6826). The time line for
>> applications will be from August 4 through September 2, 2010. It is
>> important to send in all needed documents with the completed form as there
>> will not be adequate time to do follow up due to the short window of time.
>>
>> *
>> Seeking your input for the 2011 MOFFA Organic Conference*
>>
>> Whether you are organic farmer or an organic food advocate the Michigan
>> Organic Food and Farming Alliance Conference committee is seeking your
>> input. Please tell us topics you would like to have presented at the next
>> conference which will be on March 5, 2011 at the Kellogg Conference Center,
>> East Lansing, MI. Do you know of a speaker that you have enjoyed in the past
>> and would like to hear again? Please send us their contact information. Send
>> your ideas to [log in to unmask] . We look forward to your input and
>> a chance to serve you well.
>>
>>
>
>

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