Michigan Organic Listserv

February 3, 2014

News for Farmers and others interested in Organic Production

Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University

Vicki Morrone [log in to unmask]

February 3, 2014

What’s on Offer??

Click on the section you wish to visit:

Agriculture News

Educational Opportunities (4 different WEBinar Series!)

Employment Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

NEWS you can USE

AGRICUTLURE NEWS

 The USDA Farm Bill--Farm Bill Final Steps  http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/farm-bill-final-steps/

January 31st, 2014

Earlier this week, the Farm Bill conference report was approved by the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 251-166.  In sum, 162 Republicans and 89 Democrats voted to pass the final farm bill and send it on to the Senate, with 63 Republicans and 103 Democrats voting no.

The majority of votes in favor was momentous after a long, winding and tortuous two-and-a-half-year House process of fits and starts on the farm bill.  Given the entrenched debate the House has engaged in over the farm bill to date, it is not all that surprising that this week’s vote represents the most number of members who voted against any farm bill since 1981.  Nonetheless, the final farm bill (H.R.2642, Agricultural Act of 2014) was ultimately embraced by a strong majority of House Republicans members many of whom had voted down a similar farm bill last year.

Although a majority of Democrats opposed the bill, notable Democrats who supported the measure included top party leaders, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D- CA), Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the assistant Democratic leader.  Democratic opposition centered on the $8 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the lack of farm subsidy reform, including especially the elimination of the payment limitation reform included in both the House and Senate-passed farm bills but gutted in the House-Senate conference and thus the final bill.

There were clear victories for priorities that fell on both sides of the aisle, and for programs that appealed to members representing major regions of the country, including:  a boost in money for subsidized crop insurance that had wide appeal everywhere; higher government set commodity target prices and a lucrative new cotton insurance subsidy program that appealed particularly to Southern commodity farmers; and renewal of federal land payments for Western states.  Additionally, re-linking soil and wetland conservation requirements to crop insurance subsidies gave conservation groups and their congressional supporters something to cheer about.

Weighing heavily on our minds were all the previously stranded programs that have lacked any funding at all since Congress passed a one-year extension of the old farm bill at the end of 2012 that left most sustainable farm and food system programs with no money.  In the NSAC letter to Congress, we reluctantly urged Members to vote yes in order to renew funding for those programs and enact many other important  policy improvements that we have worked long and hard on to win in this farm bill.  At the same time, however, we noted with bitter disappointment the decision of the final farm bill negotiators to pull out nearly all of the subsidy reform included in one or both bills.  NSAC issued a similar press statement that echoed these positions.

The Bill is projected to easily pass in the Senate, with a cloture vote anticipated to take place on Monday, the roll-call vote on Tuesday, and the bill sent to President Obama for his signature before the close of next week.  White House spokespeople have indicated that the President will sign the bill into law.

Ultimately, the consensus among leaders from both parties was that the noted imperfections did not outweigh the imperative to pass a farm bill to provide a level of certainty to farmers and all the other farm bill constituencies.  After two and a half long years of what should have been a much quicker process, the prevailing mood was one of farm bill fatigue and wanting to get something done and to move on.

We have also published a blog today that summarizes the content of the bill on our priorities, and over the next two weeks will be issuing more detailed treatments on particular areas of interest for sustainable agriculture and food system advocates.

Seeking a New Crop to Grow? Check this out.-Teff in Michigan?

Why not grow teff, an ancient grain that is the main grain in Ethiopia but DOES well in Michigan too?  In 2009 I was working with some farmers who are refuges from Ethiopia. They invited me to not only see their vegetable gardens but also see their field of grain. It was beautiful, mature and drying in time for a fall harvest. It was golden brown and stood about 4 feet high. The teff grain heads were filling nicely and would provide a decent harvest.  The challenge was that the crop was ready to be harvested the same time as red clover seed and they needed to borrow a harvester that could handle seed, small like red clover. So, the families worked together, much like they did at home, and hand harvested, all 6 acres of the grain. They thrashed it and then had it milled to use to make Ethopian bread called injera, a fermented bread eaten with meals, usually in place of rice.  So why not read this article below and consider growing teff in Michigan. This could be the new flour; gluten free, a crop rotation, and as you see, a grain now in demand in the United States.

Ethiopia’s teff poised to be next big super grain

 

At Addis Ababa airport, visitors are greeted by pictures of golden grains, minute ochre-red seeds and a group of men gathered around a giant pancake. Billboards boast: “Teff: the ultimate gluten-free crop!”

Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries, well-known for its precarious food security situation. But it is also the native home of teff, a highly nutritious ancient grain increasingly finding its way into health-food shops and supermarkets in Europe and America.

Teff’s tiny seeds – the size of poppy seeds – are high in calcium, iron and protein, and boast an impressive set of amino acids. Naturally gluten-free, the grain can substitute for wheat flour in anything from bread and pasta to waffles and pizza bases. Like quinoa, the Andean grain, teff’s superb nutritional profile offers the promise of new and lucrative markets in the west.

In Ethiopia, teff is a national obsession. Grown by an estimated 6.3-million farmers, fields of the crop cover more than 20% of all land under cultivation. Ground into flour and used to make injera, the spongy fermented flatbread that is basic to Ethiopian cuisine, the grain is central to many religious and cultural ceremonies. Across the country, and in neighbouring Eritrea, diners gather around large pieces of injera, which doubles as cutlery, scooping up stews and feeding one another as a sign of loyalty or friendship – a tradition known as gursha.

Outside diaspora communities in the west, teff has flown under the radar for decades. But growing appetite for traditional crops and booming health-food and gluten-free markets are breathing new life into the grain, increasingly touted as Ethiopia’s “second gift to the world”, after coffee.

Sophie Kebede, a London-based entrepreneur who, with her husband, owns Tobia Teff, a UK company specialising in the grain, says she was “flabbergasted” when she discovered its nutritional value. “I didn’t know it was so sought after … I am of Ethiopian origin; I’ve been eating injera all my life.”

Market The gluten-free market is the backbone of Kebede’s business. Today, Planet Organic shops in London stock 1kg bags of Tobia Teff flour (￡7 each), while 300g packets of its teff breakfast cereal sit alongside milled flaxseed and organic, sugar-free Swiss muesli, and cost ￡5.44 The company also sells readymade, gluten-free teff bread with raisin, onion, sunflower and other varieties. (Teff is available at other UK stockists).

Here is a good news article on teff from the Whole Grains Council. http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/teff-and-millet-november-grains-of-the-month

They note that teff is about 14% protein and is eaten as a whole grain. It sprouts in 36 hours (the fastest of all grains)

Educational Opportunities

ORGANIC FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Organic Farmer Training Program at the MSU Student Organic Farm offers nine months of intensive instruction in year-round organic farming. The program focuses on diversified production of vegetables, livestock, flowers, fruits and herbs for local markets. Participants manage all aspects of a 15-acre certified organic farm, including passive solar greenhouses used for year-round production in cold climates. Participants also manage the Student Organic Farm's field and hoophouse production. Produce is grown for the farm’s primary markets, including a 48-week CSA, seven-month on-campus farm stand, and sales to campus dining services.

Participants develop competencies in farm skills and business planning through skills trainings, individual advising meetings and engagement in the daily operation of the farm. Hands-on training is combined with workshops, lectures, readings and assignments that build participants’ knowledge and understanding of organic farming principles and practices. The program is designed to give participants a strong background in production skills as well as the knowledge, management, and decision-making skills necessary to operate a diversified small farming business. 

Scholarships available! Merit and need-based scholarships are made possible by funds raised at our annual Hoophouse Gala, sponsored by MSU Residential and Hospitality Services. We are proud and excited to be able to offer these scholarships in order to decrease barriers to training for new and beginning farmers.

Visit the Student Organic Farm website for the application.

Contact the farm at [log in to unmask] or 517-230-7987.

 

UNITED PRODUCERS TO AWARD $1000 SCHOLARSHIPS

http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/schools-business-agriculture/united-producers-award-1000-scholarships

MARYVILLE, Mo. — United Producers Inc. has announced that it is again offering two $1000 scholarships in each of its 16 districts to deserving high school and post-secondary students pursuing agriculture degrees.

The producer-owned livestock cooperative, which has a sale barn in Maryville, provides marketing, financial and risk management services to the farmers in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.

“The future of agriculture depends on those who are currently considering and pursuing a career in this critical industry,” said Dennis Bolling, UPI president and CEO. “We want to do all we can to encourage students who have an interest in agribusiness, farming, veterinary medicine or other agriculture-based industries to pursue their careers, and this is our way of helping them do so.”

Applicants must be a Preferred Member of UPI or a child or grandchild of a Preferred Member. They must also be a 2014 graduating high school senior or a student currently attending a college or technical school and studying an agriculture-related field.

Completed applications and essays must be postmarked by April 1, 2014.

Visit www.uproducers.com for more information and to download an application form.

 

Seeking soybean farmers and crop advisors to participate in survey (10 min)

If you are a North Central Region soybean farmer or CCA/Agronomist advising soybean farmers, we are looking for your input on cover crop use in soybean systems.

 

A team from the Midwest Cover Crops Council is conducting surveys of North Central Region soybean growers and CCAs/Agronomists to learn more about the use and challenges of including cover crops before and after soybeans from a farmer’s perspective. This survey is funded by a North Central Soybean Research Program grant and the information will be used to produce a report for farmers on cover crop use in soybean production.

 

You can access the surveys online via the following links:

 

Soybean Farmer Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGTMJ2S

Soybean CCA/Agronomist Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5PDV788

 

Please note:

•             The surveys should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

•             Your answers will remain anonymous.

•             This survey is intended for soybean growers.

•             For the purposes of these surveys, a cover crop refers to any crops intentionally planted between traditional spring/summer crop production periods.

 

 

Dean Baas, PhD

Senior Research Associate-Ag and Agribusiness Institute

Office Phone:  269-467-5646

Cell Phone: 269-967-9672

Email:  [log in to unmask]

 

National Discussion on Cover Crops and Soil Health

Date: February 18, 2014 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location: Ludington, East Lansing, Holland and Adrian, MI Contact: Michigan State University Extension Lake Christina Curell, 231-745-2732 [log in to unmask]

 

On Feb. 18, 2014, farmers have an opportunity to learn from one another while exploring local and national perspectives on cover crops. You are invited to attend a free, live broadcast of the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health and discuss how to build soil health, improve yields, curb erosion, manage pests and build resilience in your farming system.

Locations in every state across the country will host Cover Crops and Soil Health Forums concurrent with the National Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference in Omaha, Neb. The forums will open with live video Internet-stream from the national conference and will feature Secretary Tom Vilsack (invited) and Howard G. Buffett, followed by panel presentations from leading cover crop farmers from across the nation.

Approximately 200 concurrent forum locations throughout the country will provide farmers, NRCS and our conservation partners and stakeholders with a unique opportunity to experience the conference and discuss ways we can more fully organize and energize our efforts to enable the soil health movement—at the grassroots level.

For specific locations and information on registering, take a look at the MSU Extension news release,

 

Free, online Cover Crops and Soil Health Forum

Feb. 18, 2014, to assist in making cover crop decisions.

Dean Baas, Michigan State University Extension

 

Interest in cover crops and their contribution to soil health has been on the rise nationally, statewide and locally. There are many benefits in adding cover crops in farming systems including erosion control, nutrient sourcing and management, weed and pest control, building soil organic matter and reducing soil compaction. Now is a good time to be thinking about how cover crops fit into your rotations this coming year, what cover crops will provide the benefits you are looking for, seed sources for those cover crops and when and how to plant them. The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) website has information and tools to assist you in making cover crop decisions.

On Feb. 18, 2014, farmers have an opportunity to learn from one another while exploring local and national perspectives on cover crops. You are invited to attend a free, live broadcast of the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health and discuss how to build soil health, improve yields, curb erosion, manage pests and build resilience in your farming system. On Feb. 18, locations in every state across the country will host Cover Crops and Soil Health Forums concurrent with the National Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference in Omaha, Neb.

The national conference is sponsored by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and will bring together key leaders, researchers, innovators and policymakers in American agriculture to examine the benefits, opportunities and challenges associated with improving the health and function of our soils through the adoption of soil health management systems.

The forums will open with live video Internet-stream from the national conference and will feature Secretary Tom Vilsack (invited) and Howard G. Buffett, followed by panel presentations from leading cover crop farmers from across the nation. Approximately 200 concurrent forum locations throughout the country will provide farmers, NRCS and our conservation partners and stakeholders with a unique opportunity to experience the conference and discuss ways we can more fully organize and energize our efforts to enable the soil health movement—at the grassroots level.

Following the broadcast, discuss with fellow forum participants local issues related to advancing cover crop use and soil health efforts in Michigan. Feedback from this discussion will be forwarded to the national meeting.

The forums are being held at four locations in Michigan:

Michigan State University Extension Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center Classroom 2, 1372 N Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221 Shelby A Bollwahn, 517-439-9301 ext. 315 [log in to unmask]

Macatawa Area Coordinating Council 301 Douglas Ave., Holland MI 49424 Mark P. Ludwig, 616-395-2688 [log in to unmask]

Michigan State University Extension Mason/Lake Intermediate School District 2130 W US Highway 10, Ludington, MI 49431 Christina Curell, 231-745-2732 [log in to unmask]

National Resources Conservation Service 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 250, East Lansing, MI 48823 Jim Scott, 517-324-5281 [log in to unmask]

 

MSU Extension offers WEBINAR SERIES for beginning farmers

            A growing number of new farms are appearing across the state of Michigan. Many people starting these farm businesses, or considering it, are new to farming.  Others have experience, but are getting started with a new agricultural enterprise.  Either way, the 2014 MSU Extension Beginning Farmer Webinar Series will provide convenient, on-line learning opportunities on a variety of topics for the beginner. 

            The series will consist of eleven weekly webinars running from January 20 through early April.  All of the webinars will begin at 7pm eastern time and last 1-2 hours.  Each webinar is a separate program with registration available at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/ as the webinar date draws nearer.  Click ‘search all events’ and scroll through the programs listed by date to find the webinar programs you are interested in.    A $10 fee is charged for each program, and a high-speed internet connection is required.  You will receive the URL for each program when you register.

 

To  register  or any or all of these sessions go to: events.anr.msu.edu/GSWorganicvegpest.

Cost is $10 per session. You may also send $10 for each session (payable by check to Michigan State University) and mail to:

2014 Beginner Farming Webinar, Presque Isle MSUE, 106 Huron Ave Suite C, Rogers City, Mi, 49779

Contact the Alger County MSU Extension office at 387-2530 or [log in to unmask] for more information.

Soil Health Webinars offered by National Soil Health and Sustainability Team.

Topic	Date
Getting started with soil improvement on your farm	Monday, January 20, 2014
Getting started with selling to restaurants	Monday, January 27, 2014
Getting started with organic vegetable pest control	Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Getting started with selling to schools and hospitals	Monday, February 10, 2014
Getting started with selling at farmers markets	Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Getting started with hops	Monday, February 24, 2014
Getting started with CSA (community supported ag)	Monday, March 3, 2014
Getting started with organic field crops	Wednesday, March 12
Getting started with expanded vegetable production	Wednesday, March 19
Getting started with basic business records	Monday, March 24
Getting started with Hoophouses	date to be announced

 

 

SOIL HEALTH WEBINARS OFFERED BY SARE

FROM FEB THRU AUG 2014

 

For more information about these forums and to find other participating locations, visit www.SARE.org/covercropconference.

 

 

The National Soil Health and Sustainability Team, located at the USDA

NRCS East National Technology Support Center, is pleased to offer a

series of soil health webinars in 2014. Start time for our soil health

webinars is 2pm Eastern / 11am Pacific. For the full list of webinars,

please see http://conservationwebinars.net/

 

* The Biology of Soil Compaction (February 11)

* Soil Health and Production Benefits of Mob Grazing (March 11)

* Managing for Soil Health on Dryland - A Farmer's Perspective (April 8)

* Using RUSLE2 to Evaluate Soil Health Planning Principles (May 13)

* Managing for Soil Health in the Piedmont Area of the Southeast - A

Farmer's Perspective (June 10)

* Managing for Soil Health when Raising Potatoes - A Farmer's Perspective

(July 8)

* Managing for Soil Health on an Organic Farm - A Farmer's Perspective

(August 12)

 

Our webinar topics in partnership with NRCS' National Energy Team and for

"Understanding Organic and Sustainable Agriculture" will be released

soon! Bookmark Planned Conservation Webinars for the most up-to-date

schedule of conservation webinars presented by USDA NRCS Science and

Technology.

 

Thanks to the 800+ NRCS state, area and field office employees that

completed the East National Technology Support Center webinar survey to

help develop our 2014 schedule.

 

Visit the Science & Technology Training Library

(http://conservationwebinars.net/) to participate in live and replay

webinars and earn CEUs/certificates.

7th Organic Seed Growers Conference in Corvallis, Oregon ONLINE. We know not everyone can make the trip out to participate in person, so we're partnering with eOrganic to live stream a selection of sessions directly from the conference. Please see below for the live webinar schedule.

 

The webinar series is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

 

SEE SCHEDULE at http://www.extension.org/pages/70186. THE SESSIONS WILL BE AVAIALBLE ONLINE IN 2 WEEKS AS RECORDED SESSIONS

 

Webinar Sessions

Why Organic Seed Matters and How to Meet the Demand

Research Update: Small Grains and Corn

Research Update: Vegetable Crops

Unpacking the Cell Fusion Debate

Pollinator Conservation Strategies for Organic Seed Producers 

Managing Seed-Borne Diseases in Seed Production 

 

 

Most effective ways to begin selling to local hospitals and schools

Monday February 10^th MSU Extension educators Kendra Wills and Garrett Ziegler will present on the Topics will include: food safety requirements for institutional markets, wholesale pricing, strategies for communicating with food service directors, selling through a distributor or food hub, and available resources to help get you started.  

 

Questions and discussion will take place through the webinar 'chat' function. Supporting written materials will be available for download during and after the webinar.  Participants will receive the webinar URL after their registration and payment is received. A recording of the webinar will be made available to registered (and paid) participants within 10 days of the session.

 

Fee: $10.00 per person.

 

Register at http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=GettingStartedWithSchools.

 

Payment must be received by Feb. 7 for participants to receive the link to connect to the webinar

 

Garrett Ziegler

Extension Educator, Community Food Systems

MSU Extension Greening Michigan Institute

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Office: 616.608.7436

Cell: 814.777.3562

 

Growing Michigan Agriculture Conference

March 5, 2014 during ANR Week at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. This is a multi-commodity conference which aims to disseminate cutting-edge information addressing significant issues that will impact Michigan farmers now and into the future. There will be breakout sessions for animal, field crop and specialty crop areas.

 

Conference registration, agenda, and program page can be found at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/growing_michigan_agriculture_conference. Early registration rate ends Tuesday, January 28, 2014 and is available at http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=GMAC2014.  

 

A link to an article that has been picked up by several media outlets is available at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/2014_growing_michigan_agriculture_conference. The conference will be held in conjunction with Michigan Farm Bureau’s Winter Commodity and Marketing Conference.

 

Conference agenda:

8:30      Registration and networking

9:00      Global Economic Outlook and Impacts on Agriculture – Bryan Dierlam, Director, Government Affairs, Cargill, will discuss national and international trends that impact agriculture’s future. Global demand for food increases with population growth, economic growth and changing consumer demands their wealth increases. Along with scientific and technical improvements, many policy initiatives must be advanced so food can get from where it is best grown to where it will be consumed. Understanding how trends impact the future of agriculture will help establish a favorable policy and consumer environment that will allow us to meet the food needs of future.

9:45      Antibiotic Use and Resistance – How do We Keep Michigan Agriculture Resilient so it Continues to Grow in the Future? – Jim Tiedje, MSU Distinguished Professor, Center for Microbial Ecology.

10:30   Break

10:45   Predicting Availability of Water Resources and Challenges Posed by Changes in Climate and Land Use – David Hyndman, MSU Department of Geological Sciences, will give an overview on how human activities have a significant impact on regional water resources. This presentation will highlight how the impact of past and projected future activities utilizing water resources are quantified. Predicting those impacts using projected changes in climate and land cover requires methods that characterize variability in subsurface moisture along with models that can simulate hydrology. These predictions will provide critical information for farms with irrigated cropland.

11:30   Farm land is a valuable farm asset – where is the value? – Dennis Stein, MSU Extension, will give insight on what seems to have driven farm land prices higher in some areas so quickly while other farming communities have seen only modest increases in farm land values? This presentation will focus on farm land and the value as an investment, as a farm production resource and as an income generating part of the farm portfolio. Current farm land rental rates, where they may be headed and what factors have an impact on changing them in the future will also be discussed.

12:15   Lunch and networking; update from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

1:15      Breakout sessions – Animal, Field Crop and Specialty Crop

•    Animal

?                      Employee Management and Communication Gaps : A New Reality for Dairy Producers – Dr. Ron Erskine, MSU Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, will talk about how the therapy of mastitis is also the single most common reason for antimicrobial use in dairy cattle in North America. In the past quarter century, the average farm has increased reliance on hired labor. English is not the primary language for much of the labor pool. Many dairy producers have evolved their human resource skills to reflect the labor dynamics. The potential role for an improved management culture on dairy farms will be presented in relation to reducing mastitis and antibiotic use. 

?                      Michigan Emergency Preparedness Planning – Dr. Mike Neault, MDARD, will discuss how the state of Michigan is planning to share revised “Mass Carcass Management” plans for emergency events involving farm animals, including the development of business continuity plans for milk, eggs and live animals in the event of trans-boundary disease. Look to learn more about protecting and maintaining Michigan’s animal industries when faced with serious challenges.

?                      Changes to Michigan Feed Law – April Hunt or Tim Lyons, MDARD, will give an overview of the efforts Michigan recently undertook to update its 38-year old Feed Law.  At the end of 2013, proposed changes were being considered by the Legislative Services Bureau and movement to the House of Representatives is anticipated in the future. Proposed changes focus on improved food safety through improved feed safety.

•    Field Crop – From Data to Drones: Precision agriculture applications, trends and use of data. – Matt Erikson, Economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, will discuss how precision agriculture technologies in agriculture have created a large volume of information commonly referred to as “big data” from variable rate application of inputs, soil mapping, real time weather data and yield information. The ability to analyze data to make informed management decisions, utilize the cloud for data sharing, paired with the rapid increase of communication options have created both opportunities and challenges for producers.  This session will provide an overview of current and future technology applications, along with some discussion on issues surrounding ownership, access and use of individual farm level data.

Bruno Basso, MSU Department of Geological Sciences, will explore the application of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and crop models in agriculture during the second half of the session. Learn how MSU’s first drone is being used to gather specific data about crops and how that information can help farmers make more informed decisions about crop management.  This session will highlight research in the use of drones integrated with crop modeling to increase farmers’ profitability and reduce environmental impact. The project is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

•    Specialty Crop - Food safety and labor focus

?                      Food Safety Modernization Act and You -  Phil Tocco, MSU Extension, will discuss what growers may need to do to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on their farms. Participants will learn if they need to change parts of their operations and which farm operations are causes for concern.

?                      Where is Our Labor Coming From? – A panel discussion of how Michigan fruit and vegetable growers can secure a reliable seasonal workforce. What are some possible long and short term solutions to insure Michigan growers enough seasonal farm labor, especially critical harvest labor. From the spring asparagus harvest to the fall apple harvest, there is a need for a skilled mobile workforce that growers can easily access and use.

2:45      Break

3:00      Modeling farming system strategies to optimize water, carbon and nitrogen cycling - Bruno Basso, MSU Department of Geological Sciences, will discuss process oriented crop simulation models integrate the effects of multiple stress interactions on crop growth under varying environmental and management conditions. Bruno will illustrate an integrated approach that links precision agriculture techniques with calibrated process based models to simulate the impact of Nitrogen management on yield and nitrate leaching at field scale.

3:30      State and National Legislative Update – Ryan Findlay and Matt Smego, Michigan Farm Bureau.

4:00      Evaluation and wrap-up

4:30      Adjourn

****

5:30      MFB Statewide Commodity & Marketing Conference – Kellogg Center

Thursday, March 6, 2014

           MFB Statewide Commodity & Marketing Conference – Kellogg Center

Registration

•    Registration is open. Cost for the conference is $75 by Jan. 28, $85 by March 3 and $95 at the door. For more information, or to learn how to become a sponsor, contact ANR Event Services at [log in to unmask] or 517-353-3175.

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FoodCorps Applications for next year's service are open!

 

To the Community Food Systems workgroup and the Center for Regional Food Systems team,

 

FOODCORPS RECRUITMENT BEGINS - Applications Open for Growing Cadre of School Food Change-makers

 

FoodCorps, a national organization that connects children in underserved communities to real food in order to help them grow up healthy, has opened applications for its fourth annual class of service members. The selected emerging leaders will dedicate one year of full-time public service in school food systems – expanding hands-on nutrition education programs, building and tending school gardens, and bringing high quality local foods into school cafeterias.

 

The service member and fellow application processes were launched for the 2014-2015 service term last week! Eligible applicants are able to apply for service member and fellow positions. The fellow application will close on February 19, 2014 and the service member application will close on March 30, 2014. Please see the Recruitment Press Release (attached), and share widely with your community contacts. Emerging leaders interested in getting more information should go to http://foodcorps.org/become-a-service-member .

 

For more information on the FoodCorps MI Program, please go to https://foodcorps.org/where-we-work/michigan

 

Upper Pond Farm LLC – Field Manager

 

Farm Description

 

Mission: Provide healthy, organically grown produce to the local market, especially the restaurant Six Main. Upper Pond Farm produces food and sells it at a rate that is financially sustainable, using ecologically sustainable methods while paying a socially just wage to workers.    

 

Upper Pond Farm uses ecologically based agricultural practices to manage the landscape holistically.  Improving soil health and structure, along with enhancing biodiversity is a top priority.  The majority of work is done by human power, providing jobs and experience to people rather than tractors. We use tractor, draft animal or rototiller power for some jobs that are too large for human powered tillage.   

 

Upper Pond Farm focuses on growing annual vegetables, fruits and herbs for the local market, especially the vegetarian restaurant Six Main. Upper Pond Farm is establishing perennial plants, focusing on long term aesthetics, design, biodiversity and income sources.  Furthermore, Upper Pond Farm recycles nutrients, encouraging composting on and off farm, diverting landfill waste, reducing purchased inputs and building resilient systems.  Upper Pond Farm uses preventative methods, building systems that are plant positive to avoid treatment of disease and pests.  

 

Upper Pond Farm provides a fun, collaborative, positive work environment.  From May 1st to October 1st, each day will start at 7:30AM, providing a 15 minute morning break, lunch from 11:30-12:15PM, another 15 minute afternoon break and the work day ending at 4:15 PM.  There will be times when the daily schedule will change because of weather or the needs of a production focused farm. Consequently, schedules will be flexible; although management will do all they can to keep a routine schedule. 

 

Upper Pond Farm will provide on job training and will pay for all staff to attend NOFA CT’s winter conference.    Upper Pond's Farm Manager Baylee Drown is looking for her right hand.  This hand needs to have a green thumb attached.   

 

Position Description: The Field Manager will work closely with the Farm Manager to adhere to the production plan while maintaining or building the health of Upper Pond Farm.  The Field Manager will observe conditions to help determine the priorities of various food production activities.  The Field Manager and Farm Manager will collaborate on issues such as pest and disease. 

The Field Manager’s duties include but are not limited to:

•    Vegetable production, harvesting, processing,

•    Maintenance of farm infrastructure

•    Supervision of field labor 

Field Manager qualifications and skills:

•    2 full seasons experience on a diversified, vegetable producing farm of a similar scale

•    A degree in agriculture preferred or equivalent experience

•    Plant positive approach

•    Capacity for collaboration and leadership

•    Good attitude and work ethic

•    Ability to lift 50 pounds

•    Valid drivers license

Compensation: Dependent on qualifications. Between $10-11 hourly.  Inexpensive housing available and free veggies provided. Attendance at NOFA CT will be paid for by UPF.

    

 

COMPENSATION

this position is PAID

HOW TO APPLY

 

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DEADLINE--February 06, 2014

 

 

Extension Educator - Field Crop & Specialty Crop Production – MSUE Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute

 

As part of Michigan State University Extension and the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute, this position provides local as well as statewide leadership and educational programming expertise in Field Crop and Specialty Crop Production with emphasis on crop production under irrigation. Located in St. Joseph County, this position may collaborate across work groups, Institutes and community groups, and work with faculty, specialists and educators for overall advancement of Michigan agriculture industries.

 

Interested and qualified candidates should visit the Michigan State University jobs page at www.jobs.msu.edu  to apply for posting number 9018 under the MSU Extension postings. Candidates are asked to submit an up-to-date resume/CV and a cover letter that includes the names and email addresses of four professional references. The application deadline is February 20, 2014.  

 

 

 

 Funding Opportunities for Farmers

NRCS Announces Cut-Off Date for Conservation Funds  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/mi/newsroom/releases/?cid=STELPRDB1242511

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that Feb. 21 will be the cut-off date for applications for the first round of Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding in 2014. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance to farmers and non-industrial forestland owners for protecting and conserving natural resources.

“Only farmers who submit applications by Feb. 21 will be eligible for the first selection of applications for fiscal year 2014 Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding. I encourage farmers seeking 2014 funds for making conservation improvements, such as adopting conservation tillage, planting cover crops or installing windbreaks, to contact their local USDA Service Center,” said NRCS State Conservationist Garry Lee.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forestland owners for adopting a wide variety of conservation activities. Conservation activities receiving financial assistance must be part of an agricultural or forest operation’s conservation plan. Producers should work with their local NRCS or conservation district staff to develop a conservation plan before applying for the program. Successful applicants enter into a contract with NRCS to implement conservation activities and are reimbursed for a portion of the cost.

During fiscal year 2013, Michigan farmers received over $18 million in conservation financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. NRCS in Michigan has an initial allocation of $14.6 million available in financial assistance. Examples of conservation activities eligible for financial assistance include nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, seasonal high tunnels, cover crops, and forest stand management. Conservation financial assistance for organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production is available.

NRCS provides higher levels of financial assistance for beginning farmers and historically underserved producers. More information about conservation financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is available at local NRCS offices and online at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.

HAS ANYONE USED A SHADEFUND LOAN?

PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS PROGRAM IF YOU PERSONALLY HAVE SECURED A LOAN FROM THEM OR ATTEMPTED TO SECURE A LOAN. PLEASE share only comments that are true and sincere.

Here is the site for those curious. http://www.shadefund.org/entrepreneurs/gap-financing

The business offers low interest loans to help farmers as they wait for cost share (such as EQIP or Organic Certification cost share) finances to be paid.  You do not have to use cost share but this is a common reason farmers need upfront capital with a fairly secure payback.