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Michigan Organic Listserv

February 8, 2016

News for and about organic farming

This news is to assist you. It is not intended as promotion or advertisement for any businesses.

 

Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University

Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])

 

Organic and Farming News

Educational Events

Michigan Organic Product/Meat for Sale

Job Opportunities

Organic and Family Farming News

 

USDA Encourages landowners to Sign-Up for Conservation Planning

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling on Michigan farmers and private forest owners to sign up for conservation planning assistance by April 30. Conservation planning helps farmers and private forest owners identify resource concerns on their land and identify different methods to address them.

 

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides conservation planning services to farmers and private forest owners at no cost. NRCS also provides financial assistance for conservation activities on private land that help reduce soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and improve wildlife habitat. Some practices eligible for NRCS financial assistance include windbreaks, livestock waste storage, nutrient and pest management plans, grassed waterways, cover crops and timber stand improvement.

 

During conservation planning, an NRCS conservationist and the landowner or operator, walk the land and identify resource concerns. A conservation plan is developed prioritizing resource concerns and how the landowner can alleviate them. When the conservation plan is completed, the landowner may apply for USDA financial assistance to implement conservation practices that address the resource concerns identified in the plan. Participants are not required to address the resource concerns identified, enrolling in USDA conservation programs is completely voluntary.

 

Applying for USDA conservation financial assistance is a competitive process. Completing a conservation plan does not guarantee that a landowner will receive financial assistance. However, developing a conservation plan is the first required step for enrolling in USDA conservation programs.

To learn more about USDA conservation programs and technical assistance contact your local USDA office or go the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.

Job Opportunities

 

9 Bean Rows-Farm Farmhand Position

 

9 Bean Rows Farm is seeking a farmhand to help with their farm. If you are interested here are the position description. Farmhands are our farm’s technicians, diligently tending the fields and executing tasks with precision and care. A small team of Farmhands are guided by the Field Manager to execute daily tasks and achieve weekly goals related to vegetable production. Farmhands assist in preparing seedbeds, planting and seeding, managing weeds, making minor irrigation and hoop house repairs, and harvesting. Work may at times be physically strenuous and/or performed in undesirable weather; a worker with good physical health and a steady, positive attitude will perform well in this work environment.

 

This position is appropriate for individuals interested in food production, regular exercise in the outdoors and the aesthetic of clean fields and beautiful produce. While we will work with farmhands to achieve personal learning goals related to sustainable farming and provide a positive work environment, we must stress that this is foremost a job, that farming is production work, and that the farm earns money only by what is actually produced and sold.

 

Desired Qualifications

·         Previous farming or gardening experience

·         Good physical health; able to lift 50 lbs and work a 10-hour day

·         Attention to detail

·         Pride in the quality of one’s work

·         Ability to clearly communicate

 

Compensation

Commensurate with experience, beginning at $9-10/hr. Bread and vegetables for personal use.

 

To Apply

Email a cover letter describing your interest in farming (both in general and specifically with 9 Bean Rows) along with a resume to [log in to unmask]. Upon receiving the email, we will contact you for a preliminary telephone interview, at which time you are encouraged to ask further questions about the position. Don’t be ashamed applications are welcome at any time.

 

To View Job Posting Click Here



Greater Lansing Food Bank/Garden Project/Lansing Roots is seeking candidates for several positions

 

Full Time Positions

 

Lansing Roots is seeking a Marketing Coordinator to assist farmers who participate in the Lansing Roots Program in growing, marketing, and selling their produce and goods. This position is both hands-on in the field and in the office supporting individuals starting their own farm business. For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.

 

Greater Lansing Food Bank is currently seeking a Development Manager to direct, manage and coordinate all fundraising activities while working closely with the Executive Director to meet the established fundraising goal of the GLFB.  For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.

 

Power of We Consortium AmeriCorps Summer Positions

 

Garden Service Leader The Garden Service Leader will expand and maintain community gardens, promote a more sustainable food system, and improve access to healthy foods.  To view a complete position description, please click here.

Immigrant and Refugee Liaison Assistant  The Immigrant and Refugee Liaison Assistant will serve at six refugee gardens fostering on-site leadership, organizing educational workshops, managing volunteers, and assist with translations of materials so all gardeners receive information in their native language. To view a complete position description, please click here.

If you have any question contact Majel Maes at [log in to unmask]

Educational Events

 

Access to Land and Financial Capital for New and Beginning Farmers

 

This full-day workshop will help beginning farmers understand the types and uses of capital and to prepare to access it. We’ll explore land tenure options, financial and investment readiness, finding and assessing land, and negotiation with investors and landowners.Cost $25.

 

When

March 7th 2016

9 AM - 4 PM

 

Location

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

219 S Harrison Rd Rm 104 AB

East Lansing, MI 48825

 

For more information contact [log in to unmask] or call (517)432-0712

 

View Event Page Here

 

If you plan to attend Register Here

 

Michigan Organic Product/Meat for Sale

 

Roseland Organic Farms Ground Beef Sale

 

They currently have several quarters, halves, or wholes available that would be all ground beef. If you would be interested in these they are $5.00/lb by hanging weight with no processing charge. Call (269) 228-0376 or email [log in to unmask] to let them know if you’re interested.



 

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