Michigan Organic Listserv
Oct 21, 2013-10-21
Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University
Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu
What’s on Offer? (click
option to go to section)
Organic Regulation News
(Farm Bill and Food Safety)
Speak
out today on the Food Safety Modernization Act!
FDA is seeking comments from the public – that’s you! Everyone needs to
speak out
and share your thoughts of how FDA should implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules that work for farmers like you:
**Allow farmers to use sustainable farming practices, including those already allowed and encouraged by existing federal organic
standards and conservation programs;
**Ensure that diversified and innovative farms – particularly those pioneering models for increased access to healthy, local foods – continue to grow and thrive without being stifled; and
**Provide options that treat family farms fairly, with due process and without excessive costs.
Visit
our action page today to get informed, TAKE ACTION, and help us spread the word! And - if you're a farmer or food business owner,
be sure to check out our Am I Affected? page
to get a handle on how your business may be affected. We've also published
extra guidance for CSAs, food hubs, direct marketers,
and on-farm processors.
Visit:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iOaYcMtDLWfFcV%2Bl5xhLcHFSIDKFOdLC
to see top 10 reasons farmers should weigh in on FSMA!!
This summary was prepared by the NSAC Food Safety Team.
Michigan Department of Agricultural and Rural Development encourages organic
farmers to register with DriftWatch
DriftWatch is a free online service for farmers offered by MDARD to register their organic farm-land to help protect it from accidental
pesticide drift from neighboring fields. Farmers register field locations so when a pesticide is applied in the vicinity the applicator is aware of the location, taking precautions not to allow pesticide drift onto organic property.
Go to www.driftwatch.org
to complete the free registration. Commercial certified applicators must also register in DriftWatch in order to automatically receive information regarding location of certified organic farms.
Questions regarding DriftWatch can be directed to Antonio Escobar, Michigan’s DriftWatch specialist, at 800-292-3939.
An Economic Gardening Tool
The Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University partnered with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and
Regional Food Solutions LLC to develop Food Innovation Districts: An Economic Gardening Tool. Food innovation districts are places where food and agriculture-based businesses are encouraged to cluster together for greater synergy. This guide can help
planners and other stakeholders in developing food innovation districts that promote positive business environments, spur regional food system development, and increase access to local food.
Here is the link to the food innovation districts guide:
http://foodsystems.msu.edu/resources/fid-guide
The Ohio State University/OARDC-OSUE Tomato Grafting Guide
This guide has been updated and the new version can be downloaded at no charge. Version 2 of the Guide is 27 pages longer than version
1; original sections have been enhanced and a commercial tomato rootstock table, a seed-to-grafted plant calculator/seeding scheduling aid, a stem diameter chart, an introduction to splice grafting, a section on pepper grafting and additional, high-resolution
images of the grafting process have been included. To obtain version 2 of the Guide, please visit
http://hcs.osu.edu/vpslab/grafting-guide.
A Note to Vegetable Educators-A Place to E Publish and Share
The Guide is meant to supplement the ever-expanding list of excellent reference information on vegetable grafting that you and others
provide.
2. Speaking of vegetable grafting information, as a reminder, please consider including products of your work at
http://www.vegetablegrafting.org/.
Simply contact me to have your work included at the site. This work includes announcements of upcoming programs. My contact info: Matt
Matthew D. Kleinhenz, PhD
Professor, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Horticulture and Crop Science
The Ohio State University
Ohio
Agricultural Research and Development Center
1680 Madison Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691-4096
Michigan State University
Campus Sustainability Week Oct. 21-25
Michigan State University will highlight many of its energy-saving and recycling success stories when it hosts Campus Sustainability
Week Oct. 21-25.
Among the highlights of the week: Tours of the Student Organic Farm, MSU’s green roofs and the Bailey Greenhouse and urban farms.
There also will be a tour of MSU’s Brody Complex which will focus on its sustainability efforts, including the food pulper, its
partnership with the Student Organic Farm, and the utilization of locally grown food.
In addition, a series of town hall meetings will be held to update the MSU community on the status of the Energy Transition Plan.
Adopted by the MSU Board of Trustees in April 2012, the plan serves as a guide to the university’s future energy decisions.
Three meetings will be held:
Noon on Oct. 22 in the Surplus and Recycling Education Center
7 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, East Lansing
4 p.m. Oct. 24 in Room 147 of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit
http://www.bespartangreen.msu.edu/sustainweek.html.
MSU is a national leader in sustainability efforts. Since 2010, the university has reduced total greenhouse gas emissions by 17
percent, and since 2008 has increased recycling by 60 percent.
More information on MSU sustainability efforts is available at
www.bespartangreen.msu.edu.
- See more at: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/msu-celebrates-campus-sustainability-week/#sthash.E1C87eH5.dpuf
Scaling Up the Food Chain:
Workshop Series for Experienced Specialty Crop Farmers
This workshop will offer the expertise from
national experts, Linda Halley and Chris Blanchard.
There are only a few spots left for a two-part intensive specialty crop workshop series, set for November 2-5 at
Shisler
Conference Center in Wooster, Ohio. The workshops will help established produce farmers scale up their businesses and take advantage of the growing opportunities to sell to retailers,
wholesalers, and institutions. Workshop
registration ends this Monday.
This series, organized by the
Ohio
Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and
Countryside
Conservancy, will feature Linda Halley and Chris Blanchard, experts in produce production and farm business management.
Session 1 will take place on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 and feature Linda Halley.
An organic produce grower since 1989, Linda spent 15 years as the co-owner of Harmony Valley Farms in Wisconsin, a highly successful certified organic farm with a diverse marketing strategy that includes a CSA, farmers’ markets, and wholesale sales. Today
she manages 100 acres of transitional organic production at Gardens of Eagan in Minnesota, another thriving farm with a diversified marketing strategy.
This session, titled “Expanding Produce Production and Meeting Large-Scale Buyer Demands,” will focus on production techniques
that work on larger-scale sustainable farms. Session topics will include: growing transplants efficiently; planting from transplants and direct seeding; weed control; meeting demands of distributors, institutions, stores, restaurants, and cooperatives; and
picking, washing, packing, cooling, storing, and delivering your products to maximize efficiency and freshness.
Session 2 will take place on Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5 and feature Chris Blanchard.
Chris owns and operates Rock Spring Farm in Iowa, a 15 acre vegetable and herb farm that supplies a 200 member CSA, food stores, and a farmers’ market.
This session, titled “Growing and Managing Your Farm Business,” will concentrate on business practices that established
growers can use for thoughtful and sustainable expansion. For experienced farmers who attended session 1, this complimentary workshop will help put their plans for expansion into action. Session topics will include: equipment and infrastructure for scaling
up; hiring and managing employees; planning the growth of your farm and effectively prioritizing equipment, infrastructure, and employee needs; financing options; and bookkeeping and recordkeeping.
The deadline to register is Monday, October 21; however, limited space remains and registration may fill up in advance of the deadline.
The cost is $150 for one session or $250 for both. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register,
click
here.
Lodging
options are available near the facility; lodging is not included in the registration fee.
For more information, contact Countryside Conservancy at (330) 657-2542 Ext. 224 or
[log in to unmask].
These workshops are made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the State of Ohio, and the United
States Department of Agriculture under the provisions of the Specialty Crop Block Grant.
MOSES National Organic Conference-this is one you DON’T want to miss!
2014 MOSES Conference keynotes announced (www.moses.org)
Journalist Alan Guebert, food advocate/author Anna Lappe, and permaculture designer Mark Shepard will be the keynote speakers for the 25th anniversary of the MOSES Conference, Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in La Crosse,
Wis. Anna and Mark, who are friends, will share the stage Friday morning. They'll talk about the impact of agribusiness on the climate and the powerful role sustainable food and farming plays in creating resilient communities, protecting biodiversity, and
promoting health. Alan, who writes the syndicated ag column, "The Farm and Food File," will take the stage Saturday morning. He grew up on an Illinois dairy farm, and will weave his farm family's history of adapting to change into a message about what the
next generation of farmers needs to succeed.
Compost Workshops – Fall 2013
Instructors are Professor John Biernbaum and Brooke Anderson.
More information and register online at
http://recycle.msu.edu/educate/workshops/
All workshops are $15, $5 for students
Held at the Michigan State University’s Surplus Store and Recycling Center
Designed for beginners to novice, at-home to market gardeners, these courses will give you the experience and knowledge to create or enhance your current system. All courses include a lecture and hands-on
component creating lasting features at the Michigan State University’s Surplus Store and Recycling Center. All courses include a reference book. Light refreshments will be provided.
Hot Composting
Make a compost system used recycled wood pallets on-site and learn about creating a healthy microbial community to create food scraps and plant debris into compost for your garden. Pallets will be available
on-site to make your own system. All participants will receive a copy of “The Complete Compost Gardening Guide.”
Date: Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013.
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Surplus Store and Recycling Center, Education Room
Worm Composting
Vermicomposting, or composting using worms, can be done indoors and outdoors. Learn about how to start your own project and worms will be available for pre-order or order after the program. Together, the
participants will create a worm bin demonstration project on-site. All participants receive a copy of “Worms Eat My Garbage.”
Date: Tuesday, November 12th, 2013.
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Surplus Store and Recycling Center, Education Room
Instructors are Professor John Biernbaum and Brooke Anderson.
More information and register online at
http://recycle.msu.edu/educate/workshops/
All workshops are $15, $5 for students.
National Food Day in East Lansing
Oct 24 Noon-9 pm at Michigan State University Campus
Food Day Surveys:
All Day
Located throughout campus.
Food Day Table Fair: Oct 24-12pm-4pm
@ The Rock
Let your opinion be heard! Answer the survey to tell us what you think real food is and what kind of food you want to see on campus.
Stop by and hear from groups who are involved in the food system- here and abroad! There will be fun activites, real food from the Student Organic Farm stand, music, and chances
to win awesome prizes.
Panel Discussion:
6pm-7pm
@ Wells Hall, Room A108
Learn how the international food system affects you, our campus, and communities abroad. In addition,
prizes will be raffled.
This event is free, open to anyone, and there will be door prizes sponsored by the MSU Student Organic Farm!
Movie Screening:
7:30pm
@ Wells Hall, Room B118
"As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers
suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price."
Dive deeper into a specific area of food in Africa in this 2006 documentary.
Join us for Food Day at MSU! Food Day is a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food and serves as a grassroots campaign for better food policies.
Food Day is an event hosted by the organization Real Food Challenge, and MSU will be one of ten marquee schools across the country showing the rest of the United States how we do food!
"Food Day is a national celebration and movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. MSU will be hosting their first Food Day celebration October 24th and will be one of ten universities featured
nationally. Visit
http://effsclub.rso.msu.edu/real-food-challenge.html for more information.
National Food Day in Grand Rapids
Blandford Farm and Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 * 616.735.6240
When
24 Oct 2013
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Come out to Blandford's Farm to join in a National Event! Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Take a tour of Blandford's 3 acre farm, play
garden games, sample fresh foods, and much more.
This program is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Please make sure you call 616.735.6240 to hold your spot.
Local Organizations Partner to Support Beginning Farmers at Maple Bay Farm
BELLAIRE — Michigan’s small farmers are facing challenges, putting the future of small farms at risk. The farming population is aging, and family succession is becoming rare. At the same time a growing
number of new, first-generation farmers are seeking livelihoods in farming.
To support promising beginning farmers, the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art and Natural Design and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy have partnered to create a farmer residency program
at Maple Bay Farm in Williamsburg.
Like an informal version of a medical residency, this farmer residency program fills the gap between entry-level farm internship experience and farm ownership, creating opportunities for young farmers
to gain the technical, managerial, and practical experience necessary to operate and own an independent farm.
“Farming is an inherently risky business that historically has developed over multiple generations. The farmer residency program is an opportunity for our community to offer that type of 'inter-generational'
support to first-generation farmers,” said Marty Heller, ISLAND’s farmer residency manager. Heller ultimately sees farmer residencies as a critical bridge to attracting and placing young farmers in northwestern Michigan. ISLAND will start accepting applications
for the 2014 growing season this fall.
“Establishing a farmer residency at the Maple Bay Farm will allow the Conservancy, a nationally-recognized leader in innovative farmland preservation, to restore agricultural use to this historic farm
while also providing a valuable service to the region through an annual series of public workshops which demonstrate best practices in sustainable farming, land stewardship, and conservation in action” says Vic Lane, Conservancy staffer managing the Maple
Bay Farm.
The Farm is an 11-acre property on the west side of North US 31 owned by the GTRLC. Surrounding the farm is Maple Bay Natural Area, a 450-acre property owned by Grand Traverse County that straddles both
sides of North US 31. This property is known for its beautiful sunflowers, hiking trails, and endangered plant species.
ISLAND and the GTRLC hope the farmer residency will attract motivated and talented new farmers to the region while building the skill sets and community connections needed to launch successful new agricultural
enterprises. The organizations are seeking support for the program and are working together to evaluate future uses and improvements to the Maple Bay Farm buildings. For more information, contact Amanda Kik at ISLAND ([log in to unmask] or 231-622-5252)
or Megan Olds at GTRLC ([log in to unmask] or 231-929-7911).
E-Organic Webinars
Join eOrganic next week for the second webinar in our Excellence in Organic Extension Webinar Series! The webinar on Monday, October 7, 2013 features Debbie Roos of North Carolina State Extension and
Debra Heleba of the University of Vermont Extension, who will discuss how they use social media to interact with their audiences. Start time is 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time). All webinars are free and open to the public,
and advance registration is required. Attendees will be able to type in questions for the speakers, and the presentations will be recorded and made available in our
archive.
Registration is also open for our upcoming webinars on organic farming and research. Several new webinars have been added and some dates have changed, so see the updated schedule below!
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Upcoming Organic Farming Webinars (click on title for more info and to register) |
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Environmental/Natural Resources/Sustainability Fair
Event Information
Wed, Oct 23, 2013 at 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Spartan Stadium, 4th floor
The MSU Environmental, Natural Resources & Sustainability Career is an event that will expose students to opportunities in the industry. Students will be able to hear from alumni and industry professionals
through career exposure panels and will be able to interact and network with representatives at career fair booths.
See who’s attending:https://msu-csm.symplicity.com/events/students.php?mode=list&cf=EnvFair2013fall
If you have any questions on the event contact the Career Events Office at (517) 884-1310 or e-mail us at [log in to unmask].
Making It In Michigan Conference and Premier Specialty Food Show The MSU Product Center
Tuesday, November 12th from 7:30AM – 4:00PM at the Lansing Center.
“As this year also marks the 10th anniversary of the MSU Product Center, the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Celebrate Your Business’ – accelerating your achievement at every stage of your company,”
states Matthew Birbeck,
MSU Product Center’s High Impact Venture Action Team Project Manager. “It will be exciting for attendees to learn more about growing their own brands and making their businesses more efficient and profitable,”
says Birbeck.
Tim McIntyre, Vice President of Communications for Domino’s Pizza, will deliver the conference keynote address. Mr. McIntyre will present the story of how Domino’s Pizza broke all of the rules of traditional
marketing to reinvent its brand including airing consumer criticisms, showing bad product and exposing the secrets behind food commercial shoots.
The one-day event features morning educational sessions that will bring together leading Michigan experts to help guide attendees in refining and growing their businesses in the following areas:
• It’s about the product in the package: moving past the starter recipe into explosion, food safety and sourcing ingredients and selecting the appropriate co-packer at the right time
• Growing your specialty food business even further: alleviating the growing pains associated with accelerated business growth and strategizing your entry into retail sales
• Marketing Your Food Product: designing your product label and retail sales tools and minimizing confusion about your product packaging by correctly assessing your product needs
• Keeping the regulatory requirements in check: obtaining legal protection for your business and your product – essential vs. suggested elements including patents, trade secrets and trademarks and getting
food product licensing by the State of Michigan – existing foodservice operation expansion or new food business launch
The $79 per person conference registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and educational sessions, digital copies of all presentations and reference materials and admission to the Marketplace trade
show.
The Marketplace trade show in the afternoon will feature over 150 new and existing businesses that will be showcasing their Michigan-made food and agricultural products to the general public and Michigan-based
food buyers.
The trade show is free to the general public.
Conference participants will also have time to network with the winners of this year’s MSU Product Center awards and learn from their success stories.
Awards will be presented for the Best Barrier Buster, Start-up to Watch and Entrepreneur of the Year. MSU Product Center innovation counselors and staff members, Product Center clients, business consultants,
regulatory officials and food and farming groups will also be available to provide in-depth information and counseling.
More information and conference registration is available at
www.productcenter.msu.edu/miim/registration. Those interested in attending can also call Greta McKinney
at 517-353-7185 or send an email to
Thursday Dec 12 is Organic Day at the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo
Registration open for Meet The Buyer Event and the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo Dec 10-12 in Grand Rapids, MI
(www.glexpo.com)
This year’s reception will again be held during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Center Concourse
of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Last year, 17 buyers and more than 400 producers and agricultural industry representatives participated in the reception. This year, we are expanding the event by increasing promotions leading up to
and during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO, including a Tuesday workshop for growers. We are also expanding into a larger, more open space at the Amway this year to increase traffic and exposure of the event.
If your organization would like to participate in the 2013 Meet the Buyers reception, please complete and return the attached forms to MIFFS.
Each participating organization will have signage and space at the reception, and producers will be provided with a map of your location and interest areas.
Please RSVP to MIFFS with your information by no later than Friday, November 8, 2013 if you wish to attend, as interest in this
event continues to grow and we anticipate that space will be limited.
If you have any questions, please contact the MIFFS office at 517-432-0712 or
[log in to unmask]. We look forward
to your response and your participation in this year’s event!
THREE-DAY SUSTAINABLE GROWERS SEMINAR
A complete Grower Program Utilizing State-of-the-Art Eco-Agriculture
With Dr. Phil Wheeler Author of
The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook
& Joe Miazgowicz, Certified Soil Food-web Advisor
January 7- 9, 2014
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Learn to work with Mother Nature to optimize soil conditions, raise healthy, nutrient dense crops and livestock, while lowering costs and raising profits…
Nontoxic
Sustainable Biological Energetic
Come with specific questions/challenges/problems and pick our brains!
Bring your soil test reports for Dr. Wheeler to personally review and make recommendations.
Cost: $425 prepaid with check by Dec. 1, 2013 to reserve your seat
Checks are held until after the class. ($475 at the door)
Bring a farm family member for $225 prepaid or $275 at the door.
Send check to: Crop Services International,
1718 Madison S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49507
For More information call CSI at 1-800-260-7933
Topics Include:
The history and science of agriculture: “Breaking the myths that our fathers were sold by the chemical companies.”
Understanding a plant from the roots up.
Understanding how fertilizers work and how to use them:
“Getting soils and plants to respond the way you want them to.”
The role of microbes in the soil: “Nature’s mineral brokers.”
The role of weeds and insects: “Using the clues your weeds and insects are giving you. “
Understanding soil testing and soil balancing:
“Getting the maximum benefit for your crops.”
Using the refractometer: “A simple easy way to monitor your crops’ current health and potential yield.”
Foliar feeding: “The simplest, inexpensive way to enhance your crops.”
New This Year: Compost Tea Brewing
The seminar will be held at the Best Western Hotel – 28th St at I-96 -- 616-949-8400 (ask for CSI room rate)
located within walking distance to restaurants but breakfast included. Attendee's must make their own room arrangements.
Note: It’s best if you have read The Nontoxic Farming Handbook
published by Acres USA and written by our own Dr. Phil Wheeler and Ron Ward – available from CSI for $31 including shipping. This seminar will go well beyond the book!
2nd Call for posters for the 2013 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo!
This is an excellent way to promote findings from a Farmer or SARE grant, you reach fruit and vegetable growers from the NC region!!
The 2013 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO is scheduled for December 10-12 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 concurrent educational program hosted by Michigan State University and the Michigan State Horticultural Society. Posters are displayed in a prominent location in the Grand Concourse of the DeVos Convention Center, providing a high visibility area 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 from other 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: commercial products, 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 22 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 (please plan to attach a manila envelope to the board under the poster to contain
them).
4.
Posters MUST BE INSTALLED no later than Tuesday morning by 11:00 AM and left up until 2:00 PM on Thursday. Posters may be removed between 2-4 PM on Thursday. If you are
unable to remove your poster at that time, we will be collecting all remaining posters for return to the MSU campus, 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 Building, MSU campus, after the Expo. An email will be sent out to the presenting author when posters are ready for pick-up on campus.
5.
ALL authors should 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.
Digital versions are due within one week after the EXPO - send your PDF as an email attachment to Julianna
Wilson.
**The "presenting" author will receive complimentary Expo registration. Authors are NOT required to provide time to stand by their posters, but if you plan to do so, please post the time you will be
there to answer questions with your poster.
To achieve the greatest impact 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.
These instructions can also be found here along with a link to a sample of the posters that were presented last year: http://juliannatuell.weebly.com/glexpo-poster-instructions.html
Good News! MSU SOF Hoophouse Gala Raises $80,000
EAST LANSING, MI — MSU’s fifth annual Hoophouse Gala had record attendance on Sept. 29, with more than 270 people gathering at the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm (SOF) for the evening.
The event raised more than $80,000 for the MSU SOF, which supports the training and education of future generations of organic farmers.
Guests were treated to a seven-course, local and sustainably produced meal prepared by MSU’s award-winning chefs. The meal
showcased pork raised at the MSU SOF and products from Michigan farms and wineries.
The MSU SOF is a 15-acre, certified organic year-round teaching and production farm. The farm collaborates with The Division of Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS)
through on-campus residential programs and selling organic produce to MSU dining halls, campus food trucks and The State Room Restaurant. The gala is supported RHS and the MSU SOF.
“The MSU Student Organic Farm is a testimony to our institutional commitment
to the Land Grant mission,” said Laurie Thorp, director of MSU’s Residential Initiative for the Study of the Environment (RISE) program. “This farm and the scholarships you provide keep alive this important social contract.”
Scholarships were awarded to seven
student farmers during the 2013 Hoophouse Gala. Larry and Faylene Owen Emerging Farmer Awards and Vennie Gore Emerging Farmer Awards were given to David Chickering, Ellen Murphy, Elizabeth Wysocki, Mallory Quackenbush, Samantha MacFarland and Tyler Toszak.
Charles DeFever received the Cyde Piece Scholarship Award.
In addition to support for scholarships, event attendees made donations throughout the night to raise funds for building or relocating a barn at the SOF. The barn would provide the SOF with a dry,
protected space for teaching and learning, space for storage and the ability to host more special events.
Community enCompass’ McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm is seeking an
Urban Farm Manager.
The
person will work approx. 30 hours to start, with increase to 40 hours during spring and summer growing season. This unique farm management position will be responsible for the cultivation and management of our
two farm sites (approx. one acre), located in the heart of Muskegon, including two large hoop houses, a shade house, and a modular aquaponics system).
The farm is a multi-purpose space used for organic-practice production, demonstration, education and events, and the farm manager must keep the space presentable to the public at all times. The Urban Farm Manager will be responsible for meeting aggressive
farm earned revenue goals (which partially fund the position) and leading farm and garden education through tours and workshops, and with volunteers, job trainees, VISTAs, youth farmers, and other visitors. S/he will update farm business and crop plan, oversee
all farm/garden production, manage sales and communication for existing wholesale and our 20-share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, keep careful records of inputs and outputs, explore value-added opportunities, manage weekly compost pick-ups
and deliveries, and other McLaughlin Grows staff duties as assigned.
Urban Farm Manager will oversee
and develop work schedule for 1 McLaughlin Grows VISTA (year-around), 5-10 volunteers and 5-8 youth farmers during throughout the highest growing season (May through October).
S/he will report to the Community enCompass Executive Director and to the McLaughlin Grows Steering Committee, which meets monthly and consists of seven at-large community members and partners.
More information about the history and operations of McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm can be found at
http://mclaughlingrows.org/
and lots of pictures of the activity and evolution of this project can found on Facebook at McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm.
Qualified candidates will exhibit the following:
Compensation Range: $17,000-$20,000, depending on experience. Free
housing provided in addition to salary, including rent and utilities (Valued= $8,000).
To apply: Resume & 2 page cover letter, complete with reference contact
information, to Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga, Executive Director at [log in to unmask]
Samples of written or visual work also welcome, though not required.
Application materials
due by Monday, October 21st by 5 pm.
Seeking an Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Sustainable Food Production Systems
The Berea College Agriculture and Natural Resources Program invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track, assistant professor position in agronomy and sustainable food production. A Ph.D. in agronomy,
agroecology, crop science, or a related discipline is required. Individuals with practical and research experience in integrated crop-livestock production systems and management of sustainable food systems appropriate for small to medium-sized farms are strongly
encouraged to apply. Teaching responsibilities will include courses in the following areas: crop production, farm management, and soil conservation, with additional areas negotiated based on need, interest, and available facilities. Responsibilities will also
include supervising, training, and working with students on the College's 500-acre educational farm, which includes livestock, field crops, and horticulture.
http://www.berea.edu/people-services/assistant-professor-of-agronomy-and-sustainable-food-production-systems/
Food System Economic Partnership is hiring a part-time Program Manager This person will oversee
program development and implementation of the Incubator Farm Program at Tilian Farm Development Center. The Incubator program is entering its fourth season and the Program Manager will be responsible for recruiting and selecting a new cohort of incubator
farmers, providing on-site management and technical support, and coordinating with other staff to create a meaningful mentorship program and series of pertinent educational workshops for beginning farmers.
Excellent candidates for this position will possess strong knowledge of organic vegetable and/or livestock production, experience facilitating groups, skills in business planning and development, a demonstrated
aptitude for cultivating relationships within the greater food and business community, and a self-motivating work ethic. Ideal candidates will have previous experience running a market farm, including experience with year-round production techniques including
hoophouse use.
For a complete job description, go to
http://fsepmichigan.org/index.php/jobsinternships/.
We will accept applications through November 1, 2013 or until the position is filled.
Certified Organic Alfalfa Hay
Must pick up. Located in East Lansing
Kicker Bales are 30-35# each @ $6.00 a bale.
Traditional 50# bales are also available for
$9.00 a bale
B-grade traditional bales are available for $7.00 a bale
Nutritional value analysis available to potential buyers.
To arrange pick up or for more information:
Call the Old Town General Store
517 487-6847
Ask for Rhea or leave a message.
While quantities last - Certified under OEFFA
Prices subject to change