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Michigan Organic Listserv

April 25, 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

Job Opportunities

Grants Available

Organic and Family Farming News

 

Open Source Software for CSAs Funded by Western SARE

 

The Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative CSA in Southern Oregon has recently unveiled innovative, open source software developed through funds acquired from SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) to assist CSA farmers in connecting with their members.  At a time when farmers work hard to keep up with some of the latest trends in the local food movement nationally, CSA coordinator Maud Powell sought to provide a high-tech, user friendly tool to support CSA members interested in having their member information right at their fingertips.  "CSAs continue to be a great marketing channel for farmers, but in order to attract customers, they need to be adaptive to cultural trends," says Maud.

 

The first of its kind, the CSA App was developed by Josh Shupak with assistance

from Lars Faye of Chee Studio and Becky Brown of iWrite.  Siskiyou Sustainable

Cooperative CSA members participated in surveys and focus groups to determine  the features and functionality that would be used in the App The CSA App supports  CSA members with easy access to product information, recipes, cooking and storage tips and nutritional information for the produce found in their

weekly CSA shares.

 

The mobile friendly tool was created using a web based platform and is easily customizable by anyone comfortable using a computer and navigating the internet.  "The whole idea is to keep it simple for the farmer and easy to use for the membership," says Powell.   "I wanted to help make CSAs more relevant and accessible for younger generations, and the most obvious way to do that is through the use of technology."  Farmers can utilize the templates in the web platform to create their very own personalized App that can include product information, recipes, cooking videos, farmer bios and any specific instructions about how and where to pick up weekly CSA box deliveries.  Creative users may even find additional ways to provide valuable information to their members using mobile technology.

 

Access to the customizable web platform is provided free of charge,although a valid credit card is required to secure information in the account set up phase.  All existing content is open source and available for use, although customization may be necessary to reflect the specifics of a particular CSA farm.  The Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative CSA App can be viewed here

 

For instructions on how to get started or for more information visit here.

 

Student Organic Farm opens for business, rain or shine

 

Spring is here and the MUS Student Organic Farm stand is back up and running. Every Thursday during the months of April through October, the stand sets up shop on Farm Lane in front of the MSU Auditorium. The stand has been running since 2005 and is in business from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. The stand offers a variety of fresh produce, such as vegetables like cabbage and kale, fresh fruit and herbs. All the food is grown on campus by the Student Organic Farm. Stand manager Kelly Wilson said the customers are a mix of students, faculty members and people who are simply aware of the farm within the community.

 

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Educational Events

 

USDA Seeks to fill Seats on Advisory Boards

 

The USDA is accepting nominations for qualified individuals to serve on advisory boards. USDA will be accepting nominations through May 4, 2016 to fill 12 seats on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). Written nominations must include a cover letter, resume, and an AD-755 Application Form

 

More information Here

 

ALSO

 

THe USDA is accepting nominations through June 3, 2016 to fill 5 seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Written nominations must include a cover letter, resume, and an AD-755 Application Form.

 

More information Here

 

Whole Farm Planning for Farmer Well-Being

 

Farming is a complex, risky business and we want it to be both profitable and create a desirable way of life. Holistic Management® Whole Farm Planning can help farmers integrate the production, environmental, financial and social elements of their farm to create their desired quality of life.

This workshops are presented in a collaboration between North Central Michigan College (NCMC) and Crosshatch, with funding from a USDA Risk Management Agency grant and sponsorship by Holistic Management International (HMI).

 

When: Wednesday, May 5, 4:30-7:00 P.M.

 

Location: North Central Michigan College, SCRC 536, 1515 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770

 

Register Here

 

Discover Institutional & Wholesale Markets Workshop

 

Institutional and wholesale markets can be a key component of developing and expanding a successful farm business. At this workshop you’ll learn the basics of selling farm products to schools and other institutions (early childhood programs, hospitals, colleges), and how to make a profit with institutional and wholesale markets as part of your market mix. You’ll also hear about Hoophouses for Health, a unique opportunity to both increase year-round production AND connect with school and/or early childhood markets.

 

Workshop is free to attend

 

Register Here

 

When: May 9, 2016 at 1:00-3:00 PM

 

Where: Brush Creek Mill, 121 N State St, Hillman, MI 49746

 

Crop Establishment & Scheduling for Direct Seeded & Transplanted crops

 

Ensuring a healthy stand of direct seeded or transplanted crops in the field is critical to farm success. This workshop provides an intensive focus on stand establishment in vegetable crop production covering seed, seeders, germination, and knowing when to till it in and start again for direct seeded crops. This workshop will also cover field establishment from greenhouse to a thriving crop for transplanted crops. We will explore various methods of transplanting and transplant production/management. All core plant families will be covered and optimum systems for each considered. Presenters will cover the right scheduling to get your production on-time for a continuous and bountiful harvest.

 

When: Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 8 am - 6 pm

 

Where: Monroe Family Organics, 8009 N. Ennis Rd, Alma MI 48801

 

Cost: $150 for 1 person ($40 additional for a 2nd person from the same farm)

 

Register Here

Job Opportunities

 

MAEAP Program Technician

 

The Eaton Conservation District is currently seeking a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician.  The MAEAP Technician will be responsible for the delivery of MAEAP through on-farm technical assistance, using farm specific risk assessments, education and conservation plan development to implement practices and coordinate local, state, and federal agency resources to help reduce identified environmental risks and make progress toward MAEAP verification.

 

Qualifications:

 

·         Education: A minimum of a B.S. degree in agriculture, animal, crop, environmental,   agronomy, natural resources management, dairy and/or soil science; or horticulture.

·         Experience: A minimum of two years of experience in agricultural or natural resources fieldwork. Experience working with field crops, dairy and/or livestock preferred.

·         Training in nutrient, fuel and pest management desired.

·         Ability to interpret print materials and government policies for clients.

·         Experience working with specialty crops or on-farm food safety preferred.

 

Application Deadline: May 2, 2016

Location: Eaton Conservation District in Charlotte, MI

 

Send cover letter, resume and list of 3 references to

 

Eaton Conservation District

551 Courthouse Dr, Ste 3

Charlotte, MI 48813

Attn: Sue Spagnuolo or email [log in to unmask]

 

Assistant Farm Manager

 

Primary Function: This position is given the authority to make daily farm maintenance and coordination decisions and scheduling of the farm interns, volunteers, and staff; to make repairs to the fencing, housing, watering and irrigation systems and equipment in consultation with Farm Manager and other relevant departments; to assign additional works study or volunteers for unexpected events, and for the schedule of activities at the farm. This position represents the University at conferences, local clinics, and during visitor events at the farm.

 

Challenges encountered in this position may include scheduling farm operations within a limited time frame and subject to weather and students’ work-study schedules; facilitating student leadership and learning, finding appropriate work for volunteers to perform; maintaining ecosystem nutrient balance; monitoring and maintaining a variety of environments; working in inclement weather; carrying feed or equipment over rough ground; lifting objects overhead; and maintaining a safe operating environment for self, workers and visitors.

 

The assistant farm manager will work a flexible schedule in response to the needs of animals and crops and is often driven by weather events. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required and there will also be on-call during some off hours.

 

Location: Sewanee, Tennessee

University of the South, University Farm

 

Apply and View job posting Here

Grants Available

 

$4 Million Available to Develop Innovative Pest Management Solutions

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $4 million to support research and extension efforts to mitigate pest issues and increase crop protection practices for the agricultural community. This funding is made through the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Program, administered by NIFA. Funding can be used to support projects that will address pest management efforts for both conventional and organic production systems. Funded projects may also develop reduced-risk methods for pest-free homes, schools, parks and recreational areas.

 

“Through programs like the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program, USDA is making investments to ensure America’s agriculture sector is able to rely on sound scientific approaches to increase production and ensure continued food security in the face of the many challenges, including pests, that climate change presents,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy.  “The Crop Protection and Pest Management Program has a history of producing best practices and strategies to support communities with effective, affordable, and environmentally-sound solutions to protect human health.”

 

The CPPM program helps researchers develop innovative approaches for managing high priority pests at the state, regional and national levels. The program seeks effective new technologies to deal with both emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns. All competitive fiscal year 2016 grants will be made in the Applied Research and Development (ARDP) focus area, which centers on the development of new integrated pest management (IPM) tactics, technologies, practices, and strategies.

 

Apply for Grant Here

 

Applications are due June 8

 

Applying for the Value added Producer Grants Program

 

On May 6 at 2-3:30 PM ET When farmers and entrepreneurs take raw agricultural products like vegetables, grains, or milk and turn them into something value-added – like jams or bread or cheese – they not only increase their income, but also contribute to community and rural economic development and enhance food choices for consumers. Join this webinar to learn more about the FY 2016 application period for the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program, which provides competitively awarded grants to individual independent agricultural producers, groups of independent producers, producer-controlled entities, organizations representing agricultural producers, and farmer or rancher cooperatives to create or expand value-added producer-owned businesses.

At the time of the webinar visit www.ReadyTalk.com and enter the required Conference ID/Passcode: 9268341. Participants will need to use their computer's audio and the "Chat" feature instead of phone lines.  

 

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