Michigan Organic Agriculture Listserv Aug 8, 2011 The news included in this listserv is supported only by the individual author and affiliated instituted and not Michigan State University. Agriculture Production News Hot and sunny days promote sunscald in peppers and other vegetables High light and rapid growth of peppers cause sunscald if the fruit is not shaded. Published August 2, 2011 Mathieu Ngouajio, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Horticulture Bell pepper is a crop that requires high temperatures (65 to 95°F) for growth. Therefore, the hot weather and sunny days observed over the last couple of days have been very beneficial for bell peppers growth and development. Unfortunately, the fruit is very susceptible to sunburn (sunscald) under conditions of high irradiance. Fruit exposed to the sun become extremely hot, in contrast to fruit protected by a dense canopy. The combination of hot weather and recent rain events increased the rate of fruit expansion, making fruit even more susceptible to sunburn. Additionally, sun damage makes the fruit vulnerable to plant pathogens; therefore, growers will likely see significant crop losses from sunscald in peppers over the next couple of harvests if they have plants with exposed fruit. Losses in excess of 30 percent could easily be observed, in some situations, if we continue to have hot and sunny days. We have observed about 10 to 20 percent losses in some of our research plots this week. We are also finding damage in other crops like slicing cucumbers and early tomatoes. To read the entire story visit on line (copy and paste) http://news.msue.msu.edu/news/article/hot_and_sunny_days_promote_sunscald_in_peppers_and_other_vegetables MSU Extension helps farmers cope with late-planting impact and high feed costs Confused about what is causing problems in your crop? MSUE offers a cite to discuss how unusual weather that occurs impacts the crops, animals, fruit and vegetables. This cite will be available on Aug 8th and updated regularly to reflect weather occurances. When it comes to weather, 2011 has not been kind to Michigan farmers. Experts say the heavy spring rains that delayed planting, the recent heat wave and high feed prices will have a long-lasting effect. That's why Michigan State University<http://www.msu.edu> (MSU) Extension<http://www.msue.msu.edu> (MSUE) educators and specialists have pulled together to give livestock and crop farmers quick access to key information that can help them deal with new challenges. Visit http://news.msue.msu.edu/news/article/feed_resources_index to find information related to your agri-business type/ Educational Events & Conferences Morgan Compost Field Day- Save Money, Environment and You! One input at a time. Aug 11, 9:00-4:00 then bonfire discussion at 6 Held at Morgan Compost, Rt 10, Sears, Mich Keynote speaker: Bob Yanda, Midwest Biosystems will speak on Overuse of nitrogen. Programs throughout the day will offer information on compost and cover crop use to provide crop nutrients, season extension, compost See the full program and Register-online by visiting web site: http://www.dairydoo.com/Morgan_Composting/Open_House.html Seeking A Fair Farm Bill-2012 Come and learn What the Farm Bill can do for farms of all sizes and locations, and HOW YOU can help make that happen in the 2012 USDA Farm Bill. Saturday August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Held at the Majestic Café 4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit MI Sponsored by the Food and Water Watch (313) 486-1356 www.foodandwaterwatch.org Woodward Avenue - An entrepreneurial farm tour to Southeast Michigan This MSUE coordinated event will take place August 31 & September 1, 2011. You are invited. So are farm family members, NRCS staff, and others who may be interested. Please spread the word. This two day tour will showcase farm families who have successfully explored and seized opportunities to enhance the profitability of their operations. Stops will feature farms with value-added ventures that are excellent examples of how family farmers are finding ways to be more profitable and sustainable while enjoying it as well. The tour will highlight a variety of farm operations and ventures including cheese making, CSA vegetables, large commercial potato and diversified vegetable operation, organic operations , bakery/flour milling, hoop houses, ag tourism, the Eastern Market in Detroit, corn chip processing, pastured poultry, natural beef, milking sheep, farm stores, farm stands, and many more. A fee of $100 includes the two full days of farm visits, travel by charter bus as well as evening accommodations. Great meals are also included. Group sharing of farm ventures and other presentations will be in the evening. The starting point for this venture is US-127 & M-57 at the Northwest Park & Ride<http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi.us/public/carpoolpark/reportm.cfm?key=529002> near Pompeii. Sponsors to help offset the cost are North Central Region SARE<http://www.sare.org/> and SunOpta Grains and Food Group<http://www.sunopta.com/foods/index.aspx>. Encourage neighbors & friends to attend. Multiple family participants are encouraged. Family discounts &individual scholarships are available. If you are interested please call the Gratiot MSU Extension<http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=27342> office at 989-875-5233 for details and to register (space is limited). Detroit Making It In Michigan Conference Oct 19, 2011 Lansing Center, Lansing Mich Program and On-line registration can be found at http://www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu/ * Have an idea for a food business? Bring your idea and be ready to discuss it with the Product Center Team and we can help make your dream into a reality. * Have a product developed and need distribution channels? Put your product in front of hundreds of key food and agricultural buyers at the tradeshow. * Want to learn more about making your business more efficient and profitable? Our educational sessions cover strategies in recipe expansion, choosing the right co-packer, improving overall food safety, marketing and finding the ideal customer for your product. This is the one day that every entrepreneur, producer, buyer and processor in food and agricultural businesses needs to attend. Learn how to bring your dreams and goals to reality. 2011 Making it in Michigan MSU Product Center Conference will offer... * Industry leading keynote speaker session * Practical, hands-on educational classes on launching or expanding your business and preparing you for the road ahead in regulations, safety, production, marketing and distribution * Direct access to Product Center team members 2011 Marketplace<http://www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu/makingitinmichigan/marketplace> Trade Show If you are a new or existing business trying to find the right customers and expand your markets, the 2011 Marketplace Trade Show is a must for your business success. With the overwhelming success of previous years, we had a record number of vendors, more than 130 this fall. Grant Opportunities The People's Garden Grant Program The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2011 Request for Applications (RFA) for the People's Garden Grant Program (PPGP). The program is designed to facilitate the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. This program is a joint initiative supported by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food and Nutrition Service, Forest Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, in addition to NIFA. Successful applicants will provide micro-subgrant support to smaller local projects. Please feel free to forward this announcement to those that might be interested in applying. Deadline: Applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 26, 2011. Interested potential applicants can participate on a teleconference to get details about the People¹s Garden Grant Program on Aug. 4, 2011 at 1 p.m., EDT. To participate, call toll-free (888) 858-2144; the access code is 1059897. For those unable to participate in the call, NIFA will post a summary of the questions and information provided to our website. Dr. Tom Bewick is directing the program and can be reached at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]:[log in to unmask]> or by telephone at (202) 401-3356. Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-OP-003503 Coo NIFA Funding Opportunity Page http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/peoplesgardengrantprogram.cfm. This page includes links to the request for applications (RFA), the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the application package, and abstracts of funded projects. Grants.gov Synopsis Page: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=KzYXTv7Q09w7VLvlxsh43vTs qnhLDwp10CGNxXsTQ1PGVLxSF4RX!751481409oppId=108453&mode=VIEW This page includes a synopsis of the funding opportunity, a link to the full announcement (RFA) and the application package. Grants.gov Application Package: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/GetGrantFromFedgrants;jsessionid=tQ4bTv7Tj w2LQp8J2TwDlywV98z2McbzpGVmyF11K2xNr2pLxb2T!751481409?opportunity=USDA-NIF A-OP-003503&agencycode=USDA-NIFA This page links to the application instructions and the application package. If you have questions regarding the RFA, please contact: Dr. Tom Bewick, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]:[log in to unmask]> or (202) 401-3356. If you have any questions related to Grants.gov content, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center: Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]:[log in to unmask]>, Phone: Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726, 24 hour support, excluding Federal holidays. Useful Links: NIFA Grant Application Information: www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/application_info.html<http://www.nifa.usda.go<http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/application_info.html%3chttp:/www.nifa.usda.go> v/funding/application_info.html Grants.gov Help: www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp<http://www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp<http://www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp%3chttp:/www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp>. Vicki Morrone C. S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems Outreach Specialist for Organic Vegetable and Field Crops 303 Natural Resources East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542/517-282-3557 (cell) 517-353-3834 (Fax) www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu<http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/> 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