Michigan Organic Listserv

October 25, 2012

Offered to you by Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University.

 Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])

There is no intention to support any product or commercial enterprise in this newsletter by MSU or Vicki Morrone

NEWS IN AGRICULTURE

 

New MOFFA Website – www.moffa.net

The MOFFA web site is back on line at www.moffa.net. This is a permanent change for the foreseeable future. "Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA) can now be accessed on the internet at www.moffa.net. The website www.moffa.org is not active for our organization.  Please share this information with your contacts. Thank You for your patience and understanding with this change."

 

Farm Beginnings Project – Please take survey about starting your farm

Please take this quick survey about starting your farm. You can also help by forwarding it to farmers and advocacy organizations.  More info about our project is below.  If you have trouble with the link, copy & paste the web address below to your browser window:

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KDD6C29

 

The Farm Beginnings project is an effort to collect and share the stories of how sustainable and organic farmers handled the challenges of their first years of farming.  In addition to the survey, the project aims to compile in-depth profiles of a dozen or more farms with unique approaches to farm startups.  If you have suggestions or comments, please send them to [log in to unmask].

 

 

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE IN AGRICULTURE

 

State fruit disasterloans finally available

[Source]
LANSING, MI -- Among the lingering 2013 budget items signed by Gov. Rick Snyder this week was a $15 million appropriation that will finally set in motion low-interest relief loans for weather-beaten Michigan fruit growers, handlers and processors. The Agricultural Loan Origination Program (HB 5717) was introduced May 31 by Rep. Ray Franz (R-Onekama) and signed into law June 26. The bill makes low-interest loans available to an industry crippled by unprecedented weather conditions that handed the state's fruit sector historic losses.

 

Described upon its approval as "not a handout, but a helping hand" by Rep. Franz, the program is similar to a successful relief measure innovated 10 years ago in the wake of a similar-but far less severe-crop disaster. Freezes in early 2002 decimated the state's cherry crop; this year's situation was far worse and wrought unprecedented destruction to cherries, apples, peaches, pears, apricots and juice grapes.

This year a perfect storm of adverse weather conditions, beginning with the unusually mild winter, inflicted what most agree was the worst disasterever to hit Michigan's west-coast fruit belt. Following that mild winter were two summerlike weeks in March and a brutally cold April with dozens of freezes. Stirred from dormancy as much as six weeks early, the vast majority of fruit tree and vine buds were killed outright long before a normal season would have even begun. Read full story here.

 

PRODUCTION NEWS

 

MI Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development Accepting Pesticide Notification andCertified Organic Farm Registry Applications

[Source] 

Lansing, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management (PPPM) Division is reminding residents and certified organic farms to submit their applications for the 2013 pesticide notification and certified organic farm registries.

 

MDARD’s annual publication of the Pesticide Notification Registry enables individuals with verifiable medical conditions to be notified prior to a turf or ornamental pesticide application within a specified distance.

 

Additionally, organic farmers can register their information on the Driftwatch website, allowing pesticide application firms to identify the location of organic farms and avoid pesticide drift near these sites.

 

“These registries enable our division to notify pesticide application firms of sensitive areas where additional precautions are necessary to protect the health and safety of Michigan’s residents,” said Gina Alessandri, PPPM Division Director. 

 

Pesticide Notification Registry applicants must submit an application and a physician’s certification form no later than February 1, 2013.  The free application package can be accessed on MDARD’s website, www.michigan.gov/mdard.  Residents can also request an application from MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909 or by calling (517) 241-1169.  The 2013 registry will be published on March 15, 2013.   

 

Certified organic farms must register on the Driftwatch site, www.driftwatch.org, by March 1, 2013 to be included in MDARD’s official notification to commercial pesticide applicators. 

 

For more information regarding the regarding the Pesticide Notification and Certified Organic Farm registries, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard.  Questions regarding the Driftwatch system can be directed to Antonio Escobar, Michigan’s Driftwatch coordinator, at (517) 373-6350.

 

 

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Making it in Michigan - Michigan's Premiere Specialty Food Show

November 1, 2012 at the Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

Have you registered for the conference yet?  Don't waste another minute...We are pleased to announce another speaker for the day, over lunch.  Dr. John Tilden Jr., DVM MPH Food and Dairy Division with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, will deliver an update on the Food Safty Modernization Act (FSMA) addressing government,food industry and university efforts to implement requirements of the most sweeping reform of federal food safety laws in more than 70 years. Getmore information and register for this exciting day of presentations, on-site counseling, interaction with trade show vendors and resources at www.MakingItInMichigan.msu.edu!

 

MICHIGAN ORGANIC FOOD AND FARM ALLIANCE - 20 years of service, 20 years of new challenges - the intergenerational connection
Michigan Organic Food and Farming Alliance will be hosting a 20th anniversary event on November 10, 2012 with an educational morning session, afternoon strategic planning and early evening joyous celebration at the Sarvis Center in Flint, MI. The theme of this event is “Bridging the Gap: Michigan Organic Celebration, Conversation and Collaboration.” The ultimate goal of this event is to bring together MOFFA members, and all within the organic community, to forge a consensus on a future path for MOFFA. Together we will identify and prioritize the needs of our constituents through a facilitated discussion. There is a tremendous need to build greater collaboration in the sustainable farming community. Only by bringing together our rich diversity and the many unique perspectives of our multi-generational growers can we determine effective methods and ideas to with all attendees will follow. We encourage you to join us and share your perspectives and ideas for MOFFA. A delicious local-organic “Taste of Michigan” dinner will be offered in the late afternoon, sharing important events from the past year and a chance to catch up with old and new friends. We invite you to continue our celebration with an “Afterglow Social Hour”– with food, beverages and live music to capture the essence of the day. In an effort to make this day accessible to all, the cost for the entire day is $25.00. To register for this event please visit our MOFFA website– www.moffa.net and click here to register.

Contact us at [log in to unmask] with questions. To volunteer to assist with the event or if you are able to lendfinancial support through sponsorship please e-mail Carolyn Lowry ([log in to unmask])

address the challenges we face within the food system and for our organization. The20th Anniversary event will be dedicated to the memory of Susan Houghton – longtime organic teacher, friend and activist who sadly passed this spring.

The program will include educational/dialogue sessions that are both chosen and led by our partner organizations in Flint, focused on production and marketing approaches relevant to urban farmers, but also very applicable to all growers. Michigan organic farmers will present our keynote address relating their experiences, challenges and insights. A conversation

     

Executive Women in Agriculture Conference
When: November 29th& 30th ,2012
Where: Chicago, Ill
TopProducer presents a new conference filled with business strategies and insights for women of all ages. As we transition to the next generation of women farm managers and owners, the need to educate women on farm business practices has never been greater. Executive Women in Agriculture (EWA) is a business seminar designed for women farm managers, marketers and any farmwoman interested inhoning her skills. Women have always been an important part of agriculture. In recent years, more women have returned to the farm in management roles and ARE KEEPING THE FARM. Of the 3.3 million U.S. farm operators, more than 30% (ormore than 1 million) ARE WOMEN.

Topics include financial management, marketing, human resource management, negotiation techniques, insurance information, agricultural advocacy and more. Hear from entrepreneur, comedian & best-selling author Molly Cox! Cox is a humorist and an expert on stress, life balance and creating positive connections. She is a speaker who offers insight into building a less stressful and more balanced life, tapping into your sense of humor,finding more joy, and being more successful in whatever you do. She’s the co-author of Improvise This! How to Think on Your Feet so You Don’t Fall on Your Face, twice on the CEO-READ top 25 list. Her perspective and experience on what it takes to inspire people wil help you to achieve outstanding results.

Top Producer Editor Jeanne Bernick personally invites you to attend the second-ever Executive Women in Agriculture event.

Rates: Early Bird Rate through November 6th: $249; Standard Rate begins November 7th: $329
Multiple Attendee Discount: When 2 or more register together, the 1st attendee will pay the FULL RATE listed above and each ADDITIONAL attendee receives a $20 discount. This discount does NOT apply to any other discounted or special rates. Register here.

Food and Farming Innovation Network – Breakfast Forum
Where: Washtenaw Food Hub, 4175 Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor, MI
When: Nov 6th, 7am-9:30am
Breakfast: $10 donation at the door, please RSVP 734-222-6859. Breakfast hosted by Chef Dan Verina of Ravens Club Restaurant
Presenter: Brad Morgan, President of Morgan Composting will speak to how compost fits into the marketplace of your farms fertility needs. Brad will discuss Mogan’s customized potting soils for farm specific applications, creating potting soils that lead to success, and how to wrangle 5 million worms. This event is a great opportunity to network with farmers, buyers and others interested in supporting the local food economy.
Brought to you by Food Systems Economic Partnership (FSEP) and sponsored byMorgan Composting and Washtenaw Food Hub

Easygrow Mushrooms – Grow gourmet mushrooms at home
When: Saturday, November 3 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Where: Colasanti’s Market, 468 S. Milford Road Highland, MI 48357.  www.colasantis.com.

Easygrow Mushrooms will be conducting an intensely informative workshop on how to grow gourmet mushrooms at home (or on the farm) on logs at Colasanti’s market, located in Highland, Michigan, on Saturday, November 3, 2012. The workshop will last from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Participants will learn how to grow Shiitake, Reishi, Lobster-Flavored, Oyster and other mushrooms. 

 

This workshop will be presented by mycologist/microbial ecologist Chris Wright, who will provide hands-on instruction on how to inoculate and cultivate mushrooms onlogs. It is a must for anyone contemplating to grow mushrooms in their garden at home, or integrating mushrooms as a profitable crop on their farm. Each participant will inoculate their own log with the mushroom of their choice, and will bring the log home with them at the completion of the workshop.

 

All materials and complete instruction (with handouts) on how to produce gourmet mushrooms onlogs are included in the price of tuition ($60 per participant). Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, call Colasanti's Produce and Plants @ 248-887-0012, extension 0. 

 

 

Veterans and Agriculture: Opportunities for Employment, Entrepreneurship and Enrichment
When: November 7-8
Where: Beck Agricultural Center, Purdue University
According to a White House report, only 17% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but 44% of our military are rural residents. Additionally, as of February 2012, more than 47,500 wounded service members have returned from combat since 2001, according to the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. The Veterans and Agriculture workshop seeks to assist veterans by providing them with such information as how to start or continue to farm, how to write a business plan to start a new agribusiness venture (if traditional farming is not what they want to do), or how to farm with a disability, if applicable. The conference will also assist professionals who work with veterans to help them understand their clients and be better able to serve them.

Workshop Overview
Day 1: Intensive instruction on such topics as funding agricultural operations, marketing and agritourism, working with the VA and state Vocational Rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury and PTSD, assistive technology for farmers with disabilities, and much more.
Day 2: Hands-on experiences at Purdue farms with sessions like livestock management, aquaculture, and agronomy basics, plus tours of local sustainable farms and livestock facilities.

Registration : Registration fees are waived for veterans not attending as representatives of organizations. Veterans may also call 800-825-4264 to inquire about the availability of travel stipends. All others: Full conference registration: $125 Single day registration (either day): $95

Visit www.breakingnewground.info/vets to access the registration form, directions to the Beck Center, and hotel options. Also feel free to call 800-825-4264 or email [log in to unmask] for more information.

Planning committee organizations: Indiana AgrAbility Project, National AgrAbility Project, The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Purdue University Student Veteran Organization, Purdue Department of Agronomy. Supported by AgrAbility Project, USDA/NIFA Special Project 2008-41590-04796.

Call for posters for the 2012 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo is now Open!

 The 2012 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO is scheduled for December 4-6 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids.  Each year the Expo attracts more than 4000 growers, farm marketers, greenhouse operators, and processors of fruit and vegetable crops from the Great Lakes Region and beyond. The poster session is part of the concurrenteducational program hosted by Michigan State University and the Michigan State Horticultural Society. Posters are displayed in a prominent location in theGrand Concourse of the DeVos Convention Center, providing a high visibilityarea through which all Expo attendees pass sooner or later.

Appropriate content for a poster presentation at the Expo: 

•   Results of extension, demonstration, and research work on fruit and vegetable pest management techniques, pest phenology, production practices, harvesting innovations, marketing tools, and packaging design.

•   Summaries, from previous articles or scientific publications, transformed into posters or previously presented posters fromother scientific and industry meetings (as long as they may be understood by a layman).

•   Michigan State Horticultural Society Trust Fund project reports.

•   Updated or revised extension advisories.

•   Institutional promotional literature.

Please note: commercialproducts, advertising, and reports developed by commercial companies will NOT be allowed as a poster (that is why we have exhibit hall space).   Protocol:

1.    Send your poster title(s), full authorship, and the name and mail/email addresses of the presenting author** by Friday, NOVEMBER 16 to Julianna Wilson.

2.    Each poster (you may submit more than one) will be allotted a 4 x 4 ft poster area.

3.    Pertinent brochures, reprints, or 8.5x11" copies of the poster may accompany posters.

4.    Plan to put your poster up on Tuesday morning and leave it up through the end of the program sessions on Thursday.  We will be collecting all posters at the end of the Expo on Thursday for return to their authors, so you should not remove your poster prematurely even if you cannot be  present on Thursday to take it down.  All collected posters will be available for pick-up in Room B18, Food Safety and Toxicology Bldg., MSU campus, after the Expo.

5.    NEW THIS YEAR: Authors are asked to submit a digital version of their poster (in PDF format) so that it may be posted for attendees to access from the Expo website after the meeting.

**The presenting authorwill receive complimentary Expo registration. Authors are NOT required to provide time to present their posters. 

To achieve the greatestimpact in this forum:

•   Keep in mind that people attending the meeting have limited viewing time.

•   Make your poster colorful with plenty of photos and summary graphs, and less text.

•   Focus on presenting the highlights of the work or story.

•   Information presented in text form should be in a large font readable from several feet away.

Questions? Contact: Julianna Wilson

Great Lakes EXPO Farm Market Tour
When: Monday, Dec. 3, 2012
Where: Southwest Michigan Departing from the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Mich
Join Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News and the Michigan Agri-Tourism Association (MATA) for the Great Lakes EXPO Farm Market Tour the day before the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO. Michigan State University Extension will be moderating the tour. Join us for a day-long tour as we visit farm markets in Southwest Michigan and experience farm marketing and agri-tourism at its best. Engage with other farm marketers as you share ideas, explore opportunities and discuss strategies during the one-day tour. Michigan Stave University Extension will serve as tour hosts and will share current research projects and help foster new ideas and implementation plans.
Cost: $155 if registered by Nov. 15. Registration after Nov. 15 is $179 and based on availability.
Reservations:

- Register Now
- Click here for local hotel information.
- Please read the Age Restriction & Cancellation Policy.

2013 Michigan Family Farms Conference - “Family Farming - It's In Our Roots"
Saturday, January 19, 2013 9 a.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Where: Lakeview High School 15060 Helmer Road South Battle Creek, MI, 49015
SAVE THE DATE! This January, we celebrate 10 years of the Michigan Family Farms Conference! This year's theme is "Family Farming – It's in our Roots", and the conference will take place on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek!
Connect with other growers and great resources, network, and learn about food safety, hoophouses, vermiculture, estate and succession planning, cooperatives, growing mushrooms, careers in agricultural and natural resources, crop insurance, free-range poultry, and more! Registration will be open in November.

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES / GRANTS

 

Prima Civitas Foundation competition seeks young innovator ideas to improve local communities

Hey Youth Educators! This is a great way to engage 4H and other youth groups.  6-12th grade students are eligible to compete for $10,000 incash awards.

[Source]

EAST LANSING, MI -- The Prima Civitas Foundation, through its C.S. Mott Foundation-supported entrepreneurship initiative Moving Ideas to Market, has launched its 4th annual Young Innovators Competition. The competition encourages Michigan youth to submit ideas, concepts, or business plans to improve their communities. Applicants are eligible to win cash prizes totaling $10,000, including a grand prize amount of $2,500.

 

This year's competition expands on its previous written business plan requirements by allowing youth to submit their plans or ideas in the creative format of their choosing. This includes videos, podcasts, songs, etc. Also new to this year's competition is the ability for youth clubs or groups to compete. The competition includes two age divisions. Students in grades 9-12 may submit ideas for one of three categories: New-or improved-product or service, new social solution, or newmobile app. Students in grades 6-8 may compete in an entrepreneurial essay contest. Submissions will be judged by a variety of entrepreneurial and economic experts.

 

In addition to cash prizes, winners will also have the opportunity to connect with community mentors and entrepreneurial resources to take their ideas to the next level.

 

"We believe this competition will help encourage students to think of entrepreneurship more broadly-and to find new, exciting, and creative ways to use innovative thinking to improve their surrounding communities," notes Steve Webster, Chief Executive Officer for the Prima Civitas Foundation. Submissions are due by midnight, November 18, 2012. Competition results will be announced in December.

 

Research Specialist position at Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at Goldsboro, NC

POSITION LOCATION: Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Horticultural Science Department, Campus Box7609 Raleigh, NC 27695

JOB OPEN DATE: November 15, 2012

DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS: until a suitable candidate is identified.

POSITION DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a full-time, 12 month position. The primary purpose of this position is to support the research and extension program of the Director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, including in the field, lab, greenhouse, and community. The individual in this position must be able to plan, design, conduct, and evaluate experiments that range from simple experimental designs to complex systems work. In addition to providing research support for a variety of faculty and graduate students, including within a 200 acre long-term farming systems experiment, this individual will support the operation and integration of research within the small farm unit at CEFS, adiversified organically certified working educational farm.

 

Research and extension programs also include community-based local food systems work which could involve statewide partnerships. The individual in this position must be able to independently plan projects, identify and implement appropriate experimental designs, develop methodology, conduct all aspects of data collection and experiment management, collect data, apply appropriate data analyses, interpret results, prepare publications and reports, and communicate and present results at conferences and educational workshops statewide. In addition, the individual will be required to operate and maintain field and lab equipment, and help hire, supervise, and train part-time and seasonal help, graduate students, interns, and farm apprentices. There is a strong education and training component to this position, especially with graduate students, but also includes mentoring research interns in the summer internship program at CEFS. Individual must be able to supervise staff and students in a range of duties. Individual also must relate well to end-users, including producers, and will be required to participate in extension activities and training with producers, extension agents, and other agricultural professionals. More information: www.jobs.ncsu.edu - job # 00050047

 

For Sale or Seeking to Buy

Farm house/barns and small acreage for Rent in Knox County, Ohio.  
Mt. Vernon schools. Approximately 8 acres, house and barnyard.

Farm house: Partially remodeled 2 story, 1^st floor bdrm, 3+ bedrooms upstairs, 2 bathrooms, laundry/mud room.  Living rm with gas fireplace. Eat-in Kitchen, dining rm and family rm/office.  Full basement unfinished.  Well water. Free gas/heat.Barns: 2 barns with attached small pastures for small livestock. Great for goats, sheep, pigs, poultry etc. Creek access.  Chemical free for 10 yrs. Needs minimal TLC. Lots of loft space for storing hay/straw. $1200 month. (free gas heat) must haveExcellent references and 2 months rent, plus security deposit. Looking for someone to take care of things. Keep yard mowed etc. Prefer long-term commitment, 2-3 yrs. Serious calls only please. 740-392-6494 Or  cell # 614-561-5632

 

Farm for Sale-Used organic practices

We are relocating due to work and must sell our property, located just south of Grove City with an easy 25 minute drive to downtown Columbus.   The property is 5.7 acres with a 3/2 ranch with full basement and attached 2-car garage, and 2 barns - 24 x 36 and 24 x 40.    The house has a new roof, gutters, soffits, windows, exterior doors, well pump, pressure tank, hot water heater, kitchen and bath.  Outside there are pastures for horses and bees, a large 50 x 125 garden area with water, a very large asparagus patch, at least 20 fruit trees including apple, pear, cherry, asian pear, and mulberry.  We have been here over 7 years and used no chemicals on theproperty.  Asking $209,925.

 

WANTED TO PURCHASE - Wanted to purchase about FOUR (4) semi-loads of organic black turtle beans from the 2012 crop. Delivery to Caro, MI. Call to discuss pricing and bagging with Mike at 864-278-0249. Delivery November thru absolutely max May 15.  Will need samples.