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Part 2:2 Educational & Fun Ag Events The North Farm Extension Workshop Series - Low-Cost Season Extension Technologies and Techniques Date: May 16, 2015 Time: 2 - 4:30 p.m. Location: The North Farm, E3774 University Drive, Chatham, MI Contact: [log in to unmask] or 906-439-5059 All workshops start at 2 p.m. EST and are located at The North Farm, E3774 University Drive, Chatham, MI - 1 mile north of the Village of Chatham on the Rock River Road Participants have two registration options: 1. Individuals - select the “Participant Registration” option and select workshops you plan to attend. Workshops are $10/class/person or you can register for the entire series for $50/person. 2. Farms or Groups - select the “Farm or Group Registration” option and select the workshops your group plans to attend. Workshops are $15/class/group or you can register your group for the entire series for $75/group. Workshop options include: Low-Cost Season Extension Technologies and Techniques — May 16, 2.5 hours Extending the season does not have to be cost prohibitive. Come learn about low-cost ways of gaining weeks in the spring and fall. We will discuss low tunnel and high tunnel technologies, row covers, and crop selection to make sure you can keep producing into the back side of the calendar. Mid-Mitten Farmer-to-Farmer Gathering Join us for the first Mid-Mitten Farmer-to-Farmer Gathering! There will be no formal agendas at the Farmer-to-Farmer gatherings, just some area growers that enjoy swapping ideas, sharing a beverage together, exchanging a bit of experience and maybe even a few resources. We're hoping there might be 4-6 gatherings per year--in the cooler months gathering at ANC or a local watering hole and in the warmer months gathering at rotating farms. If you're unable to make it on the 12th be sure to join the "Lansing Area Farm Chat" facebook page and/or e- mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> to be kept up to date about future gatherings. The first one happened on April 12. Participants were encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice and a snack to share if able Attendees included: local growers who sell produce, herbs, meat, dairy and more from - in and around the Lansing area. -- Swallowtail Farm 1633 Hagadorn Rd Mason MI 48854 SwallowtailFarm.net<http://swallowtailfarm.net/> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swallowtail-Farm/299185864935 17th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference Call For Speakers January 29 & 30, 2016 Deadline to apply as a speaker is June 1, 2015 We welcome proposals from a wide range of speakers on a wide range of topics. Due to space limitations we are only able to accept a portion of the workshop proposals submitted. Just fill out the online speaker proposal form with your idea, and we will consider it as we shape the 2016 Conference. The deadline for conference proposals is Monday, June 1st, 2015. The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference serves as a vehicle to promote and build a local vibrant agriculture community, to equip the small farm community with the tools to be successful, and to be a forum for the open exchange of ideas within the small farm community. This is accomplished primarily through the annual conference in January, but is also accomplished through the support of other education opportunities throughout the year. Conference headquarters mailing address: PO Box 2459, Petoskey, MI 49770 The North Farm Extension Workshop Series - Scheduling and Production Planning Date: June 6, 2015 Time: 2 - 5 p.m. Location: The North Farm, E3774 University Drive, Chatham, MI Contact: [log in to unmask] or 906-439-5059 All workshops start at 2 p.m. EST and are located at The North Farm, E3774 University Drive, Chatham, MI - 1 mile north of the Village of Chatham on the Rock River Road Participants have two registration options: 1. Individuals - select the “Participant Registration” option and select workshops you plan to attend. Workshops are $10/class/person or you can register for the entire series for $50/person. 2. Farms or Groups - select the “Farm or Group Registration” option and select the workshops your group plans to attend. Workshops are $15/class/group or you can register your group for the entire series for $75/group. Workshop options include: Scheduling and Production Planning – June 6, 3 hours One of the most exciting and challenging parts of farming is production planning. This workshop will focus on planning your crop schedule to provide consistent supply to meet your market or family’s demands. We will discuss variety selection, succession planting, crop rotations, and cover cropping. **Each workshop also qualifies for education hours for MSUE Master Gardeners!** Organic Farm Inputs (This is a new section-send me your organic farm input items that you would like listed and send them in a format ready to print) Here's the latest development from Westwind Milling Linden, MI - We have been manufacturing and selling our own Chicken Feed Layer Mash for several months now, and have now made our supply fairly consistent. At this point, we are ready to get the word out to all the backyard chicken fanciers who are looking for a high quality, locally produced feed. Here are some of the highlights: • Certified Organic, Michigan grown corn • Wheat Germ (for protein) from certified organic, Michigan grown wheat • Certified Organic Fish Meal (for protein) • SOY-FREE • Non-gmo Alfalfa pellets • Calcium Carbonate, Oyster Shells, Grit (minimal amounts) The above constitutes all the ingredients in our layer ration. This is a 14% min. protein ration, meant for layer birds (meat birds get more protein in order for people to achieve faster growth, but if you were not in a hurry, they would do fine on this, as well.) Our laying chickens at Westwind Farm have been eating this feed since last August, and they came through the winter great on it - moulting was done by November, all maintained excellent health and good body weights, and their egg yolks achieve a beautiful orange-gold. (As it is Spring, we have lots of eggs for sale here at the Mill Store!) Westwind Chicken Feed is $24.99 + tax for 50 lbs, or $22 per 50 for a minimum purchase of 10 bags, a savings of $30 over the entire purchase. If you order 10 bags, Lee will even deliver it to you to for a flat rate delivery of $15 to most places in the Detroit-Ann Arbor areas. Check out the attached pictures to see the feed itself and the eggs that come from it (ours is on the right.) We are very glad to be providing more healthy grains here at the Mill. If you have any questions or would like to make an order, just give us a call at (810) 735-9192 or email at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Happy Spring! Lee and Linda Note - If you come by, we have moved our operation to the smaller suite up front, nearest to the bridge on Silver Lake Rd., right around the corner of the loading dock. Job Opportunities Beginning Farmer Education Program Manager The MSU Student Organic Farm (SOF) is hiring a Beginning Farmer Education Program Manager. The position is three-quarters time (30 hrs/wk) and is part of a recently awarded USDA grant titled “Michigan’s Emerging Farmers – Strategies and Tools to Enhance Success,” a collaboration among the MSU SOF, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), and the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS). The Beginning Farmer Education Program Manager will work closely with and report to the SOF Organic Farmer Training Program Director and work closely with the MIFFS and CRFS members of the project team. This position has secure funding through November 2017. The overall goal of the grant is to increase new farm success in Michigan by developing networks and resources for land and capital access while providing increased access to education and training. Project-supported resources will be adapted as appropriate for specific groups of beginning farmers with differing needs and perspectives in an attempt to help all of them move toward business viability. The goal for the SOF-led portion of the grant is to increase access to beginning farmer training across Michigan through co-development and delivery of hands-on workshops and educational materials. Project strategy encompasses three sites: The MSU Student Organic Farm, with an eight year history of beginning farmer training and focus on generalized statewide beginning farmers; Farmers on the Move, already established as a Hispanic farmer cooperative in need of training development in a variety of areas as well as site development; and Women in Agriculture, a newly-developed site for women focused on cooperative farming. The project focuses on developing site and people-appropriate training programs that both utilize the lessons learned in previous trainings in Michigan and ensure that they are useful and engaging for the particular audiences intended at the three sites. Area of Work This position will be the program manager for all trainings and workshops. This will include: Co-development of workshop topics, content, materials, and timing with representatives of project audiences. Workshop delivery Coordination of workshop logistics including presenters, promotion, site, materials, and execution Educational content delivery in collaboration with farmer co-presenters Co-development (with project evaluator) and facilitation of workshop evaluations Advising and reviewing business plans required for Women in Ag and Farmers on the Move stipend recipients Development of educational tools and materials to help beginning farmers achieve economic viability and scale up production and sales as needed for use both in workshops and as standalone tools Administrative tasks as needed associated with the project Special Requirements The successful applicant must be available for evening and weekend work in order to accommodate farmers’ schedules This position requires both a high level of autonomy and self-direction as well as an ability to collaborate and work with others. The project manager will work with the managers of the Land Access and the Capital Access components of the grant to provide input as necessary and to make resources related to land and capital available to participants in the training programs. Qualifications Highly organized and a self-starter Strong written and oral communications skills (especially with project audiences) Digital media skills, including Microsoft Office suite, knowledge and use of social media sites, and an ability to navigate and update web content on the program’s web page · Experience with vegetable production, preferably year-round in cold climates · Teaching skills and experience · Farm and farm business management experience · Demonstrated success in program development and project management in a highly collaborative environment Preferred · Educational program management experience · Knowledge of Michigan’s food and farming landscape and systems · Experience with training and technical assistance for adults · Grant project management experience · Experience with audiences where English is a second language; cross-cultural experience similarly helpful · Spanish speaker · Commitment to leading the project for the entire duration of the grant To Apply To apply, send resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Please put Beginning Farmer Education Program Manager in the e-mail subject line. The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will begin in April 2015. Ideal start date is May 2015. Occasional evening and weekend work will occur in order to accommodate farmers’ schedules Extension of the position beyond the grant may be possible based on availability of funding Expansion of the position to 40 hours per week with additional non-grant responsibilities may also become possible Salary Range: $18-21 per hour, commensurate with experience Benefits: Healthcare coverage Michigan State University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action. University programs, activities and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or familial status. The University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 Grants Available Great news! If you are a student pursuing a career in organic agriculture, you may qualify for up to $2500 in tuition assistance. The Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund is an educational grant program available through the CCOF Foundation, in collaboration with partners UNFI Foundation, Driscoll's, The National Cooperative Grocers Association, Clif Bar Family Foundation, Eric Schiermeyer, and Organic Valley. The grant is available to support students' studies at a vocational school, community college, and/or four-year undergraduate institution in the United States in 2015. Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 15, 2015 at midnight PDT. Learn more and click here to apply<http://farmvetco.bmetrack.com/c/l?u=519931E&e=732413&c=36432&t=0&l=49ECCE5&email=L43woUc8NtY%2F%2FmP%2FRMIt%2FQ%3D%3D> USDA Funds Available for Michigan Honey Bee Conservation EAST LANSING, April 14, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has conservation funds available to help Michigan farmers improve honey bee habitat on their land. Funding will be provided to producers to plan and install conservation practices that will provide honey bees with nutritious pollen and nectar while providing benefits to the environment. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for this effort until May 15, 2015. In 2014, 48 Michigan farmers entered into contracts to improve honey bee habitat on 1,080 acres of land and they will receive $193,100 in conservation financial assistance. The funding will be used by farmers to establish or improve forage habitat for honey bees. Studies have shown that beekeepers are losing about 30 percent of their honey bee colonies each year, up from historical norms of 10-15 percent overwintering losses experienced prior to 2006. Significant progress has been made in understanding of the factors that are associated with Colony Collapse Disorder and the overall health of honey bees. This effort is one of many that USDA has underway to address the issue, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. More information, including how to contact your local USDA Service Center, is available on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov<http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDE0LjQ0MDcyMTAxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQxNC40NDA3MjEwMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MzIwMDA5JmVtYWlsaWQ9c29ycm9uZUBtc3UuZWR1JnVzZXJpZD1zb3Jyb25lQG1zdS5lZHUmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&http://www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/>. Rural Energy for America Program Loans and Grants If you are an agricultural producer with at least 50% of your gross income coming from agricultural operations, USDA RD offers loans and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements through RAP. For program information, forms and other resources, visit the REAP pages<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XmujWn8iSYdoYxCxuZzSFUVICQBgTCQlpkNsgG2rUwm5I9b4ksQim9I_R7ZbwyKNkRssju6asbPWRqJahxLlh5Hb3PveoIGYEWr1dusJl4RT8kCaJqQoSKTmWKt8-3j7t9iXSRfw9aE7KSPocONDT2bLv7ZJB5plZONBb7zhmqFO9apODXQmKSnnOfpAELbKmkvHyLfpQd1Qq58i9OmeH10gY7sOwmBoE6rlDEsbrYr2tpgXG1nd47BwwUL7veDzfaEa2mhyxiJHWEcRr2EkWJBXojqHrXvFLRrsRZDiPJ0=&c=vX6zq4qfPTfYhvgs3-_IFvSo9U_1hBRY33lwGa9SceLmE46gj0EIog==&ch=GGwUZQtGcqiCU4evMcAk6ogSVUHA7kmagxEHRxBTS2xxL0jKglOmsQ==> SARE (Sustainable Agricultural Research and Extension) is a program funded by USDA to serve sustainable farms (including organic) through educational and research opportunities. They have a funding program for several grant types, one in fact is JUST for Farmers and Ranchers. The grants are available annually and are based on regions within the US. We, in Michigan are in the North Central Region, so when you look for grant information please be sure it’s for the North Central Region (if you are from Michigan or from any of the other NC states). Take a look and see the types of projects funded, maybe your work will be on this list next year!! The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is pleased to announce the projects recommended for funding for the Farmer Rancher grant programs. More than 40 grant projects were selected to receive a total of more than $400,000 through this NCR-SARE grant program, which offers competitive grants for farmers and ranchers who are exploring sustainable agriculture in America’s Midwest. The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is pleased to announce the projects recommended for funding for the Farmer Rancher and Youth Educator competitive grant programs. More than 40 grant projects were selected to receive a total of more than $400,000 through this NCR-SARE grant program, which offers competitive grants for farmers and ranchers who are exploring sustainable agriculture in America’s Midwest. The Farmer Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Those selected to receive funding included (in order by state): • Raymond Hansen of Prairewood Farms in Ogden, IA was awarded $14,865 for the project, “Invasive Species Control Through Combined Methods of Browsing and Prescribed Burning.” • Jeff Liston of Turtle Rock Angus in Lovilia, IA was awarded $4,836 for the project, “Farmer Rancher Grant.” • Nelson Smith of Springtown Ranch Ltd in Brighton, IA was awarded $3,751 for the project, “Organic No-till Pumpkins with Roller/Crimper Rye and Oat Cover Crops.” • Ralph Upton Jr. of Upton Farms in Springerton, IL was awarded $7,289 for the project, “Utilizing Precision Application of Cover Crops to Minimize Planting Challenges while Maximizing Benefits to Corn.” • Margery Wachter of Second Nature Honey in Urbana, IL was awarded $11,734 for the project, “Developing a Method to Capture and Authenticate Single Varietal Honey on Diverse Landscapes.” • Steven Doud of Doud Orchards in Denver, IN was awarded $21,735 for the project, “Selecting a New Array of Crisp Apples for Increased Consumer Demand and Grower Profit.” • Stephen Howe of Howe Farms LLC in Crown Point, IN was awarded $7,397 for the project, “The Economic Impact of Fall Planting vs Spring Planting Hops.” • Dan Perkins of Perkins' Good Earth Farm in Demotte, IN was awarded $5,680 for the project, “On-Farm Recipe Trials and Yield Impact from Fermented Compost (bochasi) for Vegetables.” • Amy Surburg of Berry Goods Farm LLC in Morristown, IN was awarded $7,476 for the project, “Investigation into a Year round Complimentary Broiler and Vegetable Farm Enterprise using Mobile High Tunnels.” • Gage Werner of Werner Creek Farm in Winfield, KS was awarded $7,498 for the project, “Preserving the Genetic Diversity of Acclimated Feral and Survivor Stock Honeybees for Future use as Breeding Stock in Local, Diversified Production of Queen Bees.” • Brian Bates of Bear Creek Organics LLC in Petoskey, MI was awarded $10,752 for the project, “Exploring Shelter-Based Options for Over-wintering Honeybee Colonies in Northern Climates to Reduce Winter Loss.” • John Dindia of Spirit of Walloon Market Garden in Boyne City, MI was awarded $7,301 for the project, “Farm-Generated Fertility: Vermicomposting Horse Manure and Vegetable Wastes.” • Josh Graybiel of Traverse Aquaponics, LLC. in Harbor Springs, MI was awarded $3,801 for the project, “Traverse Aquaponics.” • Meghan Milbrath of Bending Sickle Community Farm in Munith, MI was awarded $7,492 for the project, “Improving Apiary Sustainability by using an Overwintered Nuc System for Colony Replacement and Expansion Instead of Purchased Package Bees.” • Rodrigo Cala of Shared Ground Farmers' Co-op in Saint Paul, MN was awarded $20,999 for the project, “Immigrant Farmer High Tunnel Project.” • Nancy Lunzer of Bear Street Ranch, LLC in Ogilvie, MN was awarded $7,477 for the project, “Intensive Rotational Grazing with Sheep on Riparian Land to Target Invasive Reed Canary Grass and Common Buckthorn.” • Diane Wilson of Dream of Wild Health in Minneapolis, MN was awarded $7,500 for the project, “Native Youth Plant a Bee Meadow.” • Earnest Bohner of Persimmon Hill Berry Farm in Lampe, MO was awarded $7,496 for the project, “Blueberry Field Renovation.” • Penny Frazier of Goods From The Woods in Ava, MO was awarded $7,469 for the project, “Creating a Depository of Local Honey Bee Strains From Feral Swarms and Demonstrating a Sustainable Beekeeping Model Using Horizontal Hives and Bee-Friendly Management.” • Rachel Levi of EarthDance in Ferguson, MO was awarded $7,500 for the project, “Greening” a Greenhouse Through Sustainable Energy Solutions.” • Wendy Lombardi of Falcon Ridge Farm in Falcon, MO was awarded $7,483 for the project, “Call to Farms.” • Adam Millsap of Urban Roots Farm in Springfield, MO was awarded $6,344 for the project, “Evaluation of Efficiency and Efficacy of a Method for Managing the Nutrient Cycle on a Bio-intensive Micro-farm.” • Matt Moreland of Red Barn Ranch in Harrisonville, MO was awarded $3,818 for the project, “Effectiveness of Different Cover Crops for Erosion, Weed, Pest, and Disease Suppression in Pumpkins.” • Emily Wright of Small Farm Systems LLC in Columbia, MO was awarded $11,917 for the project, “Assessing Productivity and Profitability of Vegetable Production in the Central Missouri River Bottomlands: Tools for Farm Transitions.” • Glendon Philbrick of Hiddendale Farm in Turtle Lake, ND was awarded $13,516 for the project, “Quinoa Production in Central North Dakota.” • Ashley Gordon of Nebraska Mushroom in Grand Island, NE was awarded $22,398 for the project, “Spent Mushroom Substrate as Fertilizer.” • Crystal Powers of Darby Springs Farm in Ceresco, NE was awarded $7,216 for the project, “Improving Wetlands Using Holistic Grazing of Dairy Cattle and Low Impact Crossings.” • Ben Bebenroth of Spice Acres in Cleveland, OH was awarded $7,492 for the project, “Let Pigs Eat Waste: Spice Acres to Reduce Landfill Waste and Lower Food Costs by Using Non-Meat Waste from Local Restaurants.” • Laura DeYoung of The Spicy Lamb Farm in Peninsula, OH was awarded $20,526 for the project, “North Coast Lamb Co-op: Using Carcass Scanning for Producer Production Criteria.” • Michelle D. Gregg of Gregg Farms in Bellville, OH was awarded $7,500 for the project, “A Model for Mitigating Giant Ragweed on Certified Organic Operations: Ag Engineering and Farm Tours.” • Don Maloney of Dons Prawns & More in Lancaster, OH was awarded $7,477 for the project, “In-Pond Substrate to Increase Yield and Size of Freshwater Prawns.” • Steve Patterson of Hop 'n' Pepper Farms, LLC in Athens, OH was awarded $22,497 for the project, “Multi-farm Assessment of the Optimal Yield Performance in Six Hop Cultivars Grown Throughout Ohio.” • Alan Susarret of Probasco Farm in Cincinnati, OH was awarded $921 for the project, “Mushrooms on Coffee Waste : Effectiveness of Incorporating Locally Available Coffee Chaff for Improving the Effectiveness of Small-scale Oyster Mushroom Production.” • Abbe Turner of Lucky Penny Farm in Garrettsville, OH was awarded $21,800 for the project, “Food Waste For Farms.” • Michelle Wiggins of Mellie's Garden LLC in EATON, OH was awarded $7,500 for the project, “Use of Walipini (semi-subterranean greenhouse) for Year Round Production in the Midwest Using Solar and Geothermal Energy.” • Lucas Dixon of The Good Stuff Gardens in Milwaukee, WI was awarded $7,129 for the project, “Vacant lots to Abundant Farms: Water Collecting, Composting, and Seed Saving to Turn Vacant Lots into Self-Sustaining Community Gardens and Businesses.” • Jeff Endres of Endres Berryridge Farms in Waunakee, WI was awarded $22,500 for the project, “Evaluating the Environmental Benefits and Economic Opportunities of In-Vessel Composting Solid Dairy Manure.” • Peter Fritsch of Rushing Waters in Palmyra, WI was awarded $15,000 for the project, “Rushing Waters Aquaponics Feasibility Study.” • Lisa Kivirist of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B in Browntown, WI was awarded $5,371 for the project, “Increasing Value-Added Product Sales through Improved Labeling & Packaging.” • Janet Marsh of Morning Sun Farms, Inc. in Frederic, WI was awarded $7,500 for the project, “Commercial Sustainable Micro-green Production in a Northern Climate.” • Ingrid West of Misty Dawn Farm LLC in Stoughton, WI was awarded $14,791 for the project, “Comparison of Shiitake Yield on Red Maple (Acer rubrum) on Timing of Cut and Rate of Wood Moisture Loss Prior to Inoculation.” Read descriptions of these projects online at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Recent-Grant-Projects. The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is pleased to announce the projects recommended for funding the new Partnership Grant Program. SARE has just announced the recipients of the new grant program, Partnership grants-which means extension educators work with farmers to provide research and outreach programming. For the 2015 Partnership Grant Program, NCR-SARE awarded more than $330,000 to 12 projects. The Partnership Grant Program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. For the 2015 Partnership Grant Program, $200,000 of the partnership grant pool of funds was available for projects focused on cover crops and soil health. This special request for proposals on cover crops and soil health was made possible by a one-to-one match of funds between NCR-SARE and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. • James DeDecker of Michigan State University Extension in Roger City, MI was awarded $29,810 for the project, “Northeast Michigan Aerial Cover Crop Seeding Demonstrations.” • Robin Moore of Land Stewardship Project in Montevideo, MN was awarded $29,870 for the project, “Shifting Local Trends with Cover Crops and Short Season Corn.” • Susan Jaster of Lincoln University Cooperative Extension-ISFOP in Concordia, MO was awarded $29,755 for the project, “Improving Weight Gain in Goats grazing Cover Crops Selected through Soil Health Samples.” • Charles Ellis of Lincoln County Extension Center in Troy, MO was awarded $14,345 for the project, “Incorporating Cereal Rye Into a No-Till Corn/Soybean Rotation For Erosion Reduction and Possible Grazing Use.” • Abbey Wick of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND was awarded $27,021 for the project, “Adaption of Cover Crops to Build Soil Health in the Northern Plains.” • Lisa Kivirist of Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service in Spring Valley, WI was awarded $28,426 for the project, “Enhancing Women Farmers’ Understanding of Cover Crops.” • Julia Olmstead of University of Wisconsin-Extension in River Falls, WI was awarded $25,000 for the project, “Farmer-Led Research for Increased Cover Crop and No-Till Adoption in Northwest Wisconsin.” • Claire Strader of FairShare CSA Coalition in Madison, WI was awarded $29,997 for the project, “Cover Crops as Living Mulch under Organic Vegetables.” For the remaining Partnership Grant Program funds, other project topics appropriate to the NCR-SARE were considered for funding. Those selected to receive funding included (in order by state): • Keefe Keeley of Savanna Institute in Urbana, IL was awarded $29,957 for the project, “Crop Performance, Pests, and Pollinators in Diverse Agroforestry Systems.” • Elizabeth Maynard of Purdue University in Valparaiso, IN was awarded $29,994 for the project, “Scheduling Vegetable Planting for Winter Protected Production in the Midwest.” • Karl Foord of University of Minnesota Extension in Chaska, MN was awarded $29,964 for the project, “Maximizing Pollinator Services from Native Bees.” • Frank Kutka of Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Stewardship Fund in LaMoure, ND was awarded $29,998 for the project, “Evaluating Early-Maturing, Cold-Tolerant White Sorghum Cultivars.” Read descriptions of these projects online at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Recent-Grant-Projects. Vicki Morrone Organic farming specialist Center For Regional Food Systems at MSU 480 Wilson Rd Rm 303 East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542/517-282-3557 (cell) Www.MichiganOrganic.Msu.edu If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html