Michigan Organic News | February 22, 2013 | Center for Regional Food Systems
Still time to register for the Organic Reporting Session
FRIDAY, MARCH 1-visit
www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu to register today. Farmers and students are only $15 and others $25-includes a great lunch, Farmer/Researcher Priority setting session and Taste of Michigan.
From the Center for Regional Food Systems & the Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
In This Issue
Education and Conferences
--Organic Reporting Session is Friday, March 1 at Michigan State University --Michigan Small Cooperative Conference --Passing on the Farm: MSUE --2013 Sandusky Ag. Labor/Farm Safety Meeting --FDA Webinar
-Crop Insurance Sessions
Jobs and Internships
--Position: Director, Growing Farmers Initiative at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
National Organic Program News
--NSAC Farm Bill Updates
News and Farming Updates
--Cover Crop Insurance --Downtown Market Grand Rapids --Farm Guild Fundraiser
Land Available
--Farm for sale in Grand Ledge, 75 acres
If you would like to access a searchable archive of the all the previous Mich-Organic listserv postings copy this URL and paste in your browser address field
http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html.
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with Subscribe Michigan Organic [Your Name] as the subject. Content is provided for subscribers' benefit; not to promote or endorse products or companies.
Education and Conferences
2013 Michigan Organic Reporting Session & Farmer/Researcher Priority Setting Session is next Friday,
March 1
The Michigan Organic Reporting Session presents a day-long event on
Friday, March 1, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us to to share progress of MSU organic production and marketing, discuss future goals for organic research, and hear from researchers working on organic farming.
For information or to ask questions, please contact Vicki Morrone
at 517-353-3542 or [log in to unmask].
Registration open, now through Monday, February 25. Visit the 2013 Organic Reporting Session Registration to
sign up. For more information, visit the Organic Farming Exchange website.
Michigan
Small Co-op Conference Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Time: 8:30 AM registration 9:00 AM Call to Order Lunch at noon 4:00 PM Adjourn
Location: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Road, Hastings, Michigan
Go to http://mapq.st/YnesDV for a map and driving directions.
The Michigan Small Cooperative Conference is for directors and members of small and emerging cooperatives and people who are contemplating starting a cooperative. We will provide information about basic cooperative operation
including types of cooperatives, the role of directors, the role of managers, the role of members and the role of customers. We will allow plenty of time for input from the participants into issues and opportunities for cooperatives in Michigan.
Lunch will be included in the conference. There is no registration fee thanks to the strong support from our sponsors: CoBank, Michigan State University Product Center, Mid America Cooperative Council, and Food Systems
Economic Partnership. Register here. Please register by March 14th to allow us to adequately plan
for the conference.
Farm Transition Farming Succession Planning Tuesdays March 5, 12 & 19, 2013 MSU Extension Office, 37 Austin Street, Sandusky, MI 6 pm - 9 pm - Each
meeting day- Registration begins at 5:30 pm - Program starts at 6:00 pm The family farm has been a tradition from the beginning of this great country. With pressures from so many sources, keeping the farm in the family has
become more difficult. A special program will be offered for individuals and families that are trying to look at the options they can use to work through the tangled jungle of transferring the family farm or business
to the next generation. Farms are encouraged to send more than one representative from each generation. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
What are some of the basic building blocks of a farm transition plan?
What needs to get done to build a plan of action and when to implement it?
Keeping the farm/business in the family or not.
Fair is not always equal in farm families.
What type of business arrangement should be considered?
How can you evaluate the farms business position to take on a new partner?
What are the options for an owner to retire/phase out of a management role?
How can you successfully transfer assets and the farms management?
Where will communication take your future farm business?
How can you set real goals for your family farm transfer?
Presenters: An attorney at law, TBA & MSU Extension Educators,
Dennis Stein, District Farm Management and Craig Thomas, Dairy & Marketing
Please R.S.V.P. to the MSU Extension office: Craig Thomas @ (810) 648-2515 or Dennis Stein @ (989) 672-3780
Enhancing the Workforce for the Future 2013 Sandusky Ag. Labor/Farm Safety Meeting
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Sanilac County MSU Extension Office
37 Austin Street
Sandusky, MI 48471
Sponsored by: Michigan State University Extension
Recording of Food Safety Ethics in Food Safety
Julie Funk, MSU forwarded information regarding the next seminar in the Spring 2013 LCS Spring Lecture Series -
Ethics in Food Safety: A Partial Map of the Field
presented by Dr. Paul Thompson.
Recording is available at:
http://www.online.foodsafety.msu.edu/springseminar
Shared by :
Lisa Lipsey
Lisa Lipsey
Michigan Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development
Food and Dairy Division
517-373-9740
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Listening Session/Webinar
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Hosted by the MI Dept. of Ag and Rural Development
Featuring guest presenters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Morning Session:
Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (Produce Safety Rule)
8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Session:
Preventive Controls for Human Food (Preventive Controls Rule)
1:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
Agenda and details to follow. For more information, contact Jeanne Hausler, MDARD Food and Dairy Division Communications, at
[log in to unmask].
I have attended this workshop and it is well worth the time and $, passs the word! Cindy Hale
The Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers,
a three-day workshop for anyone interested in starting a commercial apple orchard, will be offered March 15-17, 2013 in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
This program is in its third year and is designed to help aspiring apple growers start successful, sustainable businesses. "There is a great deal of interest in orcharding and numerous local
marketing opportunities but one of the first lessons is that it takes more than demand to make an enterprise succeed," says John Hendrickson, the schools coordinator.
Our intensive workshop provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to start and operate a business growing and selling apples, including information to help make smart decisions about varieties,
root stocks, orchard design, marketing, capitalization and labor.
The program emphasizes both IPM and organic production methods and a variety of marketing options, from farmers' markets to you-pick to wholesale to value-added products. Participants will
learn from a team of educators including experienced growers and University faculty and staff.
Practical know-how is the cornerstone of the course but past participants have also appreciated hearing the real-life stories of experienced growers and
being able to network with peers who share their interest in making a business out of growing and selling apples.
The Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers is sponsored by the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. Registration for the program costs $325. Enrollment is limited, so early sign-ups are advised. For more
information, contact John Hendrickson at (608) 265-3704 or [log in to unmask], or visit the CIAS web site:
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/midwest-school-for-beginning-apple-growers/. --
Cindy Hale,
Research Associate, University of Minnesota Duluth
Sustainable Agriculture Program -
http://www.d.umn.edu/cscd/sap/main/index.php
Great Lakes Worm Watch Program - www.greatlakeswormwatch.org
The Natural Resources Research Institute -
www.nrri.umn.edu
5013 Miller Trunk Hwy. Duluth, MN 55811
2013 USDA Farm Crop Insurance Seminar
You are invited to join a free educational
program on crop insurance. Based on the
experiences of the 2012 planting season, there is
renewed interest in the virtues of crop insurance.
2013 commodity prices and revenue generation
possibilities are strong but not as high as 2012.
The increased cost of production along with the
potential revenue makes the need for RISK
MANAGEMENT much greater.
Date: March 4th, 2013
Venue: Monsanto Research Farm-474 S. Onondaga Rd. Mason, MI 48854
(Located 1 ½ miles South of W. Columbia Rd on the west side of road.)
Time: 9:30 a.m. 3:30pm (Lunch will be served at noon)
Tentative Agenda Subject to change
9:30 a.m. Registration and Welcome/Coffee and Snacks M.C, Dr. Jake Wamhoff
10:00 a.m. The Basics of Todays Crop Insurance Roger Betz, MSUE Senior Farm Management Educator
10:45 a.m. Farm Service Agency and Crop Insurance- Ronda Bozek-Smith
11:15 a.m. Agricultural Banking Trends & Requirements Devin Lavengood, Assistant VP- Dart Bank
Noon Lunch - Catered by Gladys Welker and Friends
1:00 p.m. 2013 Crop Insurance Choices- Roger Betz, MSUE Senior Farm Management Educator
2:30 p.m Discussion- Ideas and Comments on Crop Insurance- Participant Sharing
**You need to be registered for the lunch count. Please call 517-676-5578 or
email [log in to unmask]
to register.**
Thank You to our Sponsors:
MSU Extension - Ingham, Eaton, Livingston, Barry, Calhoun counties, 517-676-7207
Farm Bureau Insurance Dennis Greenman, 517-676-5578
Union Bank Meg Wheeler, Tim Walling, 517-646-6448
DF Seed John Diehl and Chris Nofsinger, 517-623-6161
Garnant Farms Pioneer Hi-Bred, Troy Garnant, 517-202-5886
PHI Crop Insurance Bobbie Garnant, 517-202-1806
Mason Elevator, 517-676-1016 (Mason) and 517-589-8248 (Leslie)
Ingham County Farm Bureau, 517-676-5578
Capital Area Innovative Farmers
Dart Bank- Devin Lavengood, 517-676-3661
Greenstone- Amanda Kutchey, 517-676-1086
Jobs and Internships
Position in Tarrytown, NY: Director, Growing Farmers Initiative at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a non-profit farm and education center located 25 miles north of Manhattan in Pocantico Hills, New York. Stone Barns operates an 80-acre four-season farm. Through our Growing Farmers
Initiative, childrenΉs education programs, and diverse public awareness programs, we aim to improve the way America eats and farms. Supervised by the Executive Director, the Growing Farmers Initiative Director will manage and lead one of the organizations
nationally recognized, signature initiatives.
The Director will evaluate ongoing programming and, with the Executive Director, develop and implement new programs to increase the success of beginning farmers and advance resilient agriculture. As the leader of this growing
program, s/he will be asked to support fundraising for programming that gives new farmers the tools, experiences and opportunities they will need to engage in farming as a life-long
profession. New efforts may include, but are not limited to: development of a young farmer advisory board, development of university partnerships, development of a best in class business planning program, development of an
alumni network and advancing the organizations aggressive private
lands strategy, which seeks to secure beginning farmer access to 10,000 acres of new productive land in the next ten years. S/he will oversee the execution of all existing programming including technical workshops, apprentice
program and curriculum, the Virtual Grange and the annual Young Farmers Conference.
S/he will work with the Executive Director to advance programs that leverage not only the Stone Barns site and farm, but also its brand and institutional reach. S/he will work collaboratively with other organizations in the
Hudson Valley and beyond to develop complementary initiatives and identify opportunities to support beginning farmers.
In summary, the Growing Farmers Initiative Director will:
Develop a concerted strategy to support beginning farmers.
Set goals, articulate a theory of change, and establish clear evaluation criteria for each program/investment.
Enhance use of the CenterΉs unique assets<including farm, restaurant/cooking and proximity to NYC to further the program and build the organizationΉs regional and national impact.
Serve on CenterΉs Executive Team, taking part in decision-making for Center as a whole (including farm, education, fundraising, and administration).
Develop new initiatives while managing a portfolio of existing programs.
Work with the Director of Marketing and Philanthropy to raise funds for the Initiative.
Manage $735,000 USDA beginning farmer grant and other designated funding.
Work with the Executive Director to communicate and engage important constituents and stakeholders, including the Board of Directors and key partners.
Establish partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Manage Growing Farmers Initiative Coordinator
Qualifications:
Minimum of ten years experience as a proven leader in program management and development.
Experience working with farmers, entrepreneurs and/or collegians.
Experience working with new institutions or start-up companies.
Proven strategic planner with sound analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and align staff through effective communication, performance management, positive interpersonal, diplomatic and negotiation skills.
Understanding of food and agriculture.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building competencies coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Energetic, forward thinking, creative individual with high ethical standards.
BachelorΉs degree required.
Compensation:
Stone Barns Center offers a salary commensurate with experience and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and 401k plans. This is a full time, exempt position with weekend and evening hours
as required.
To Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to:
[log in to unmask]. Applications will be accepted through March 5, 2013. Stone Barns
Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.
----
NENA JOHNSON
Growing Farmers Initiative Director
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
630 Bedford Road
Pocantico Hills, NY 10520
Tel: 914-366-6200 x112
Fax: 914-366-7905
COLORS Co-Op Academy Coordinator
Location: Detroit, MI
Type of Job: Full-Time, Permanent
Overview:
The Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan (ROC-Michigan) seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual with deep ties to the food justice and worker cooperative movements who can play a leadership role in founding a
COLORS Co-Op Academy for emerging, worker-owned good food businesses in Detroit. The COLORS Co-Op Academy is an intensive learning experience designed to cultivate new worker-owned good food businesses rooted in principles of democracy, sustainability, and
justice. The COLORS Co-Op Academy will serve as a model to inform the launch of similar COLORS cooperative incubators around the country. We envision a community-based economy in which all people are contributing with dignity, respect, and ownership. We work
towards this vision by developing worker cooperatives grounded in the leadership, resources, and needs of communities most affected by social and economic injustice. By linking our actions with movements for worker, food, and racial justice, we collectively
re-imagine and transform our workplaces, communities, and local economies.
Organizational Background:
Founded in 2008 and based in Detroit, MI, the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan (ROC-Michigan) is a non-profit, membership-based organization of over 1,000 restaurant workers. We are an affiliate of Restaurant Opportunities
Centers United (ROC-United), a national restaurant workers organization founded in New York City by restaurant workers displaced by the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy. We are dedicated to improving working conditions and increasing opportunities for advancement
in restaurants nationwide for the collective benefit of workers, employers, and consumers. We take a three-pronged approach to achieving change in the restaurant industry that includes: (1) campaigning for workplace justice; (2) conducting community-based
research and policy work, and (3) promoting the high-road to profitability through innovative employer partnerships, workforce development programs, and our family of COLORS Restaurant social enterprises. In ten years, ROC has become the nations leading
restaurant worker organization. More information can be found at: www.rocunited.org and
www.rocmichigan.org.
Job Responsibilities Include:
Leading the COLORS Co-Op Academy
o Developing and ensuring continuous improvement of a COLORS Co-Op Academy curriculum developed in partnership with Cooperation Texas, an Austin-based cooperative incubator program;
o Conducting outreach with community-based partners and allies to recruit Co-Op Academy participants;
o Facilitating Co-Op Academy participant workshops in workplace democracy, food justice, and business development, as well as peer-to-peer learning sessions;
o Coordinating support services for participants, including legal and marketing assistance, mentoring
opportunities, post-graduation coaching, and micro-loans
Supporting overall organizational and program growth
o Developing and maintaining relationships with key Co-Op Academy local and national partners including: ROC-United, Cooperation Texas, Community Food Empowerment Directive (CoFED), Fair Food Network, the Urban Communities
Clinic, local community colleges, and Jackie Victor, co-founder of Avalon International Breads;
o Planning and implementing program communications and marketing;
Attending cooperative conferences and building relationships with movement leaders;
Participating in a formal evaluation to identify best practices for scaling the local model nationally;
Innovating programs to leverage and/or create organizational synergies between the Co-Op Academy
and our non-profit COLORS Restaurants
Intensively coaching and supporting the development of worker-owned, good food enterprises in Detroit
o Providing intensive cooperative and business consultation, based on the developmental stage of each incubated cooperative, to up to three student teams who will be enrolled in the Co-Op Academy per year, as well as providing
post-graduation coaching services;
o Playing a leading role in working with local and national staff and allies to assess the feasibility and
possible launch of a COLORS Co-Op Academy teaching enterprise that would incorporate cooperative leadership principles
Required Skills and Qualifications:
-Willingness and motivation to play a founding role in launching a good food cooperative incubator that will be shaping the development of a national program;
- Strong background in worker-cooperative business development or the equivalent;
- Management experience in a food enterprise or the equivalent;
- Excellent verbal and written communication, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Email, Internet and social media;
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including Academy participants, customers, and allies;
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends based on Academy participants schedules;
- Strong commitment to movement-building and social, racial, economic, and food justice
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and/or experience with popular education;
- A strong background or interest in worker and/or community organizing and/or economic development;
- Spanish-language proficiency;
- Culinary background and/or familiarity with food production;
- Commitment to grow with the organization
People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We are willing to consider applicants from outside Southeast Michigan who are willing to relocate to metro Detroit for this position.
Salary:
Starting salary of $35,000 is negotiable based on experience. Featured benefits include generous paid time off as well as health insurance.
How to Apply:
Please send a (1) resume and (2) cover letter as soon as possible to
[log in to unmask] and include Co-Op Academy Coordinator in the subject line of your email.
Contact:
Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan, 311 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Attn: Minsu Longiaru, Executive Director, (313) 962-5020
_______________________
National Organic Program News
NSAC Endorses Farm Program Integrity Act
Washington, DC On Tuesday, February 12, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a bipartisan bill
that would restore integrity and fiscal responsibility in federal farm policy during this time of budgetary constraints.
Read more.
NSAC Endorses Protect our Prairies Act
Washington, DC On Thursday, February 14, Representatives Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Tim Walz (D-MN), along with six additional cosponsors, introduced bipartisan legislation
that would protect our nations remaining native prairies and prime grasslands.
Read more.
Senate Budget Plan Includes Fix to Farm Budget Fiasco
Washington, DC The fiscal package announced today by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) proposes to correct the disastrous farm bill extension measure agreed to by
the White House and Senate Minority Leader behind closed doors at the end of last year as part of the New Year fiscal cliff deal.
Read more.
News and Farming Updates
Cover Crop Insurance
There has been some confusion and consternation over being able to get crop insurance after cover crops and what you can or can't do with the cover crops (ie grazing) and here is a fact sheet just released on
that topic: www.rma.usda.gov/fields/mn_rso/2013/covercrops.pdf
--
Jane Bush
Business Development Specialist
Food System Economic Partnership
517-231-2240
Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter and
our FSEP Blog
Downtown Market Grand Rapids Vendor Applications due March 1
The Downtown Market Grand Rapids is now accepting vendor applications for our 2013 Outdoor Farmers Market season! We will be accepting seasonal vendor applications until Friday, March 1. Below is
a link to our Rules/Regs (which include stall pricing, market days & hours, etc.), as well as our Seasonal and Daily vendor applications:
Rules & Regulations:
https://downtownmarketgr.wufoo.com/forms/20132014-outdoor-market-rules-regulations/
Seasonal Vendor Application:
https://downtownmarketgr.wufoo.com/forms/outdoor-farmers-market-seasonal-vendor-application/
Daily Vendor Application:
https://downtownmarketgr.wufoo.com/forms/outdoor-farmers-market-daily-vendor-application/
To learn more about the Downtown Market Grand Rapids, visit our facebook page and website:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Downtown-Market-Grand-Rapids/194026587369930?fref=ts
Website: http://downtownmarketgr.com
We hope you will join us for our very first market season! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
--
Claire Duthler
Market Manager/Event Coordinator
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
Farm Guild Fundraiser in U.P.-Support local organic and build a network-March 10
I have spoken with many of you over the phone, several members of the guild are organizing to plan a farm-to-table fundraiser/meal. This fundraiser event will raise money to be used by members of the farm guild who:
Wish to expand their farm operation
Have participated with the farm guild (have come to meetings)
Are willing to pursue Certified Naturally Grown certification for their produce
The fundraiser raise money to cover the cost of CNG certification as well as provide a little extra 'seed' money to participants. Hopefully, this will be the first of several twice a year 'Farm Guild Seed Fund' fundraiser-meals
hosted in the spring and fall annually.
The idea is to have a farm-to-table event, featuring a meal of several local food dishes. There will be a raffle of prizes (to be donated) and musical entertainment. This will be an opportunity to engage and educate the community,
promote the farmers, the farm guild, The Link UP food buying club, and certified naturally grown, as well as show off what amazing tastes can be prepared featuring local foods.
The fundraiser has been scheduled for Sunday March 10th from 1-5pm at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. in the community room. Social hour at 1, followed by meal at 2pm, then music and raffle, as well as discussion on CNG, the Farm
Guild, The Link UP, brief presentation by farmers about their plans for the season, and a guest appearance from Mark Baker.
We will be selling 100 tickets at $25 each (more if logistics permit). Children 12 and under are free. Additional tickets will be provided for participating farms and their families.
Below is a tentative list of (tentatively) participating farms. Please let me know ASAP if you think anyone else would like to participate or if you are not interested in participating.
Badger Creek Farm
Cloverland Apiary
Cloverland Farm
Dukes Farm
Everyielding Acres
Green Goods
Guindon Farms
Hannah's Garden
Rock River Farm
Seeds and Spores Family Farm
Shady Grove Farm
Wixtrom Natural Farms
Virgin Earth Farm
In exchange for the generous financial support of our community, and since it is a farm-to-table meal, we would like to ask the participating farms to provide food for as well as help prepare and serve the meal.
Please respond to this email to let me know if you are interested in participating, as well as what you have available for foods to donate to the meal. We already have a couple great menu item ideas from a few pledged foods,
however to coordinate the whole meal, I need to know what else is available ASAP. Collectively, I think we can put together something pretty amazing, and make a great step forward in our community food system.
So, again, please let me know in the next day or two if you would like to participate and what you have on hand for food items to contribute.
Thank You,
Michael Hainstock
Badger Creek Farm
Employment opportunities
The Clinton Conservation District in Central Michigan is seeking a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician.
The MAEAP Technician is responsible for delivering on-farm technical assistance in Clinton and Gratiot Counties. This includes conducting farm-specific risk assessments; coordinating local, state and federal agency resources
to help farmers reduce environmental risks; and assisting farmers in making progress toward MAEAP verification. The MAEAP Techician is also responsible for collaborating with Conservation District staff to promote MAEAP and educate diverse audiences on the
importance of sustainable agriculture in the Clinton and Gratiot Counties region.
Find attached the position description.
Interested and qualified parties can e-mail a cover letter stating your suitability for the position based on knowledge and skills, along with a resume and list of references to the Clinton Conservation District at
[log in to unmask]t
Gary Fritz
Executive Director, Clinton Conservation District
2343 N. US-27
St. Johns, MI, 48879
phone 989-224-3720, ext 3
fax 989-224-1033
mobile 989-640-4508
Position Description Academic Specialist
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is seeking an Academic Specialist to support outreach and research efforts promoting good food access and awareness in childhood development and education
environments. The position will support existing CRFS initiatives and help to develop additional programming capacity in this arena.
Status: This is a full-time, annual year, temporary position. Initial appointment will be for one year with reappointment contingent upon funding and performance.
Available: April 1, 2013 or when suitable candidate is identified.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2013 or until suitable candidate is identified.
Starting Salary: Commensurate with education and experience up to $50,000 annually.
Reporting: Individual reports to Senior Associate Director, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.
Qualifications:
Masters degree in food systems, public health, public policy, nutrition, education or related field.
At least two years of experience with community food systems and/or early child care and K-12 education issues, environments and programs.
Demonstrated project leadership, resourcefulness, and self-motivation.
Ability to balance multiple simultaneous projects and to easily shift between working independently and as part of a team.
Strong written and verbal communications skills and experience using a broad range of communications tactics.
Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups such as academic faculty and staff, youth and adult community members, organizational partners and funders.
Knowledge and use of technology in completing job requirements including Microsoft Office suite, web-based search and information systems, and phone/web conferencing systems.
Available to travel throughout the state and within the U.S. and possession of a valid, current state drivers license
Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunity/affirmative action and diversity/pluralism.
Job Summary:
§ Develop and execute a strategic, multi-year outreach and research agenda, including the engagement of national organizations as partners, to promote good food access and awareness in early childhood development and education
environments.
§ Support on-going Michigan Farm to School network efforts with an emphasis on early child care environments, including provision of training and technical assistance and development of resources;
§ Convene national and statewide project partners virtually and in person to enhance collective understanding and collaboration;
§ Develop and submit grant proposals, fulfill objectives and manage budgets and reporting requirements of grants awarded;
§ Develop publications, webinars and presentations, and other resources for diverse audiences;
§ Participate in relevant CRFS work group and/or community of practice as interest and time allows;
§ Document and share project work and accomplishments; maintain regular internal and external communication about project activities; develop and report on an annual plan of work;
§ Represent projects at local, state and national meetings;
§ Report to and collaborate with project principal investigators as funding requires;
§ Help to foster, facilitate and maintain CRFS culture of trust, support and accountability.
Application Procedure:
You must apply online to MSU Human Resources:
Go to:
and look for job posting # 7350 (look under faculty/academic staff)
A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, Curriculum Vita or resume, and names and contacts for three references will be required as part of your application.
If you have questions about the position or search process, you may contact:
Rich Pirog, Senior Associate Director
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
Phone: (517) 353-0694
Please do not send application materials directly to Rich Pirog.
CRFS Mission: CRFS works to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable
food systems.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans
and persons with disabilities. Michigan State University employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status,
or family status.
Rich Pirog
Senior Associate Director
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
480 Wilson Rd, Rm 313 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824
(p) 517-353-0694 | (f) 517-353-3834
Web: foodsystems.msu.edu
Farm 4 Sale
75 Acre Property--Ideal For Organic Farming--Available in Grand Ledge, MI Fifteen years ago we started prairie grass seed production on our farm only 2 miles outside of Grand
Ledge and only 20 minutes west of downtown Lansing. Key features of this property include:
50 tillable acres, 22 woods, 3 acres around house and outbuildings
Sandy loam soil
Approximately 20 of the 50 acres has been planted in prairie grass for seed production and has not been treated chemically the past two summers.
The woods has not been harvested by the current owners during the past 36 years.
Two story hip roof barn is upgraded with 100 amp electric service is in excellent condition, separate meter from house.
1100 sq. ft. caretakers home built in 2010 is available as guest house, office, rental property, or other use as desired by owner.
· Original 1880s farm house was purchased in 1976, only 4 years from a centennial farm. The farmhouse has the original, unpainted wide cherry woodwork and hardwood floors. Since buying the home the entire home has been
upgraded with geothermal heat, Pella windows, Corian countertops, a wrap-around porch, 200 amp electrical service. New roof, gutters, and storm doors in 2011.
· Must see property to appreciate. Much potential for the creative agriculture entrepreur. Seller is willing to work with an organic farmer who qualifies for the mortgage on the house to rent and
then purchase the farm property in the future. Pictures and listing of the home are shown on the Lansing Board of Realtors website
www.lansing-realestate.com. MLS listing 41973. Contact Jean Weirich,
[log in to unmask], for more info.