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Michigan Organic Listserv September 26, 2016 Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems Brought to you by Vicki Morrone, Organic Farming Specialist. Questions or comments: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> What’s up? · Organic Cost Share Certification due Oct 1 · We need your 2 ¢-Educators to align food safety training with farmers’ needs · Soil Health programs held across the state by Dan Ketering · New Organic Training Programs-online and in Michigan o Beginner Farmer o Seed Production o E-Organic Webinars on various topics o Financing a farm operation o New High tunnel systems bulletin offered NOP COST SHARE Her ye here ye all you CERTIFIED organic farmers!! Organic Cost share is due Oct 1!!! If you paid for organic certification for one or more USDA organic certifications this past year (such as one for poultry and the other for vegetables) then you are eligible to receive some of that money back from the US Government. Michigan Department of Ag and Natural Resources is running this program so you can apply for reimbursement through them. Note that each certificate is eligible for cost share. You can fill out a separate application for each certificate but mail then in one envelope. Clip each certification application separately to assure accurate processing. You may have received an invitation to participate in this program through the mail but if you did not, then NO WORRIES! You can get all the info online. You will need a filled-in application form found at this link http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1568_37188-333288--,00.html All applications must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2016. Applications submitted after the October 1st deadline cannot be accepted – this is a requirement of our Finance Division and is not flexible. To receive your cost share of up to $750 or 75% of what you paid… YOU WILL NEED a copy of your organic certificate dated within the last year A copy of receipt of the money you paid to your certifying agency Complete form found at the above web site. To register as a state vendor so a check can be deposited to your bank account. Note you only need to sign up one time, once signed up this year you can use that sign in all following years. Find the forms and instructions at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/2016_Cost_Share_Application__Instructions_Revised_526103_7.pdf SEEKING YOUR INPUT Food Safety Certification is soon to be a reality for many farmers, nationwide. Seeking farmers’ input on their Food Safety preparedness needs (Food Safety Modernization Act) All farmers we are seeking your input of needs and preferences for future training and assistance for food safety certification. Please take about 15 minutes (next rainy day perhaps?) and complete this survey so we at Michigan State University and all the great agriculture organizations seeking to provide assistance can target your needs. Here is the link. Just click, let it open and answer the questions as they apply to your farm. Here is the Box link: https://uofi.app.box.com/files/0/f/7362084753/1/f_94459839753 Thanks, Mary Hosier Project Manager NCR FSMA Training Center S-332 Turner Hall / 1102 South Goodwin Avenue / M/C 046 Urbana, IL 61801 Phone 217-333-7512 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Webinar Series on Organic Seed Production A six-webinar series on organic seed production will provide training for seed growers and seed production. This series, offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), will cover a range of topics, from planting to harvest to the economics of seed production. The series is delivered as part of a new seed internship program offered by OSA and MESA with support from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The webinars are open to the public and appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Here is the link for recorded WEBINARS http://www.extension.org/pages/25242 The webinar starts at 2PM Eastern (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain 11AM Pacific Time). Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> How To Join The Webinar This webinar meets 2 times. * Tue, Oct 18, 2016 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM EST * Tue, Nov 15, 2016 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM EST Add to Calendar: Outlook® Calendar<https://global.gotowebinar.com/icsCalendar.tmpl?webinar=1033801889354662914&user=171609453&cal=outlook> | iCal®<https://global.gotowebinar.com/icsCalendar.tmpl?webinar=1033801889354662914&user=171609453&cal=ical> 1. Click the link to join the webinar at the specified time and date: https://global.gotowebinar.com/join/1033801889354662914/171609453 Before joining, be sure to check system requirements<http://help.citrix.com/webinar/systemcheck?role=attendee&source=registrationConfirmationEmail&language=english> to avoid any connection issues. Note: This link should not be shared with others; it is unique to you. 2. Choose one of the following audio options: TO USE YOUR COMPUTER'S AUDIO: When the webinar begins, you will be connected to audio using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is recommended. --OR-- TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: If you prefer to use your phone, you must select "Use Telephone" after joining the webinar and call in using the numbers below. United States: +1 (213) 929-4232 Access Code: 886-394-695 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the webinar Webinar ID: 150-607-899 E-Organic Offers More Fall Webinars Join us on Tuesday September 20th for the next webinar in the Organic Seed Production Six Webinar Series<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73816>! This webinar features 2 farmers in addition to Micaela Colley and Laurie McKenzie of the Organic Seed Alliance: Keith Kisler of Finn River Farm, and Sam McCullough of Nash's Organic Produce. They will be discussing Seed Quality, Harvesting Techniques and Equipment. The webinar takes place at 2PM Eastern, 1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time. Register now at http://articles.extension.org/pages/73816 Register for any or all of our fall webinars at the links below, They are free and open to the public and advance registration is required. You'll find past webinars archived on the Check out the eOrganic YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/user/eOrganic>. https://www.youtube.com/user/eOrganic September 20, October 18, November 15, 2016 Organic Seed Production Six Webinar Series<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73816>-register just once for the whole series and attend as many as you wish Micaela Colley, Laurie McKenzie, Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance; Sam McCullough, Nash's Organic Produce; Keith Kisler, Finn River Farm October 5, 2016 How to Implement and Verify Biodiversity Conservation Activities in Organic Agricultural Systems<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73891/how-to-implement-and-verify-biodiversity-conservation-activities-in-organic-agricultural-systems> Jo Ann Baumgartner, Wild Farm Alliance; John Quinn, Furman University October 11, 2016 Targeted Sheep Grazing in Organic Dryland Systems<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73910/targeted-sheep-grazing-in-organic-dryland-systems> Fabian Menalled, Devon Ragen, Perry Miller, Montana State University October 19, 2016 Viral Diseases in Cucurbits: Identification and Management Strategies<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73890/viral-diseases-in-cucurbits:-identification-and-management-strategies> John Murphy, Auburn University December 6, 2016 Managing Cucurbit Downy Mildew in Organic Systems in the Northeast<http://articles.extension.org/pages/73892/managing-cucurbit-downy-mildew-in-organic-systems-in-the-northeast> Chris Smart, Cornell University Building Soil Fertility and Growing Nutrient Dense Produce Dan Kittredige, founder of the Bionutrient Food Association (http://bionutrient.org/) on Monday, October 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Allen Neighborhood Center Market Place, located at 1629 E. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, behind Allen Neighborhood Center’s main office. Dan is a dynamic presenter, lifelong organic farmer, and the founder of the Bionutrient Food Association (http://bionutrient.org/). Participants will get an overview of how biological growing methods: • Improve the quality and nutrition of food crops, which improves profitability and promotes human health and environmental vibrancy • Reduce the need for off-farm inputs thereby cutting costs • Adjust soil chemistry and biology to build organic matter and optimize plant health • Change agriculture from a greenhouse gas emitter to a carbon sequestering activity Participants will get an overview of how biological growing methods: • Improve the quality and nutrition of food crops, which improves profitability and promotes human health and environmental vibrancy • Reduce the need for off-farm inputs thereby cutting costs • Adjust soil chemistry and biology to build organic matter and optimize plant health • Change agriculture from a greenhouse gas emitter to a carbon sequestering activity Additional times and locations · Detroit – Earthworks Urban Farm - Sat. Oct. 1 - 1264 Meldrum Street - 2-4PM · Ann Arbor – Sunward Cohousing - Sun Oct. 2 - 424 Little Lake Drive - 1-3PM · Ypsilanti – Growing Hope - Sun. Oct. 2 - 922 W. Michigan Ave – 5-7PM, 2-day intensive soils workshop titled “High Bionutrient Crop Production” November 12-13, 2016 at the Washtenaw Food Hub near Ann Arbor. The cost is $200 but efforts are underway to provide farmer scholarships. To find more information about the soils workshop, see: http://bionutrient.org/workshops. Here are some links to more information about Dan through videos, podcasts and publications. · Southeast Iowa Food Hub fundraiser appearance (18 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z89jhbkix9c · Carbon Farming Conference at Tufts University (about 20 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOtsWsMbabg · Dan’s perspective on Bionutrient Rich Food and Health: http://bionutrient.org/bionutrient-rich-food/bionutrient-rich-food-health Partially sponsored by The Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (http://www.moffa.net<http://www.moffa.net/>), The Greater Lansing Food Bank Garden Project (http://greaterlansingfoodbank.org<http://greaterlansingfoodbank.org/>) and the Allen Neighborhood Center (http://allenneighborhoodcenter.org<http://allenneighborhoodcenter.org/>) USDA WEBINAR: Local Food Financing and Cooperative Business Models Margaret Bau and I will be presenting a Webinar this Thursday at 2 pm EST so please join us and share this widely with your networks. It’s free and open to the public! When: Thursday, Sep 29, 2 pm – 3:15 pm EST Need capital? Where do you turn? There are many sources for financing food enterprises and cooperatives, including grants, loans, investors, and member equity. In this webinar, you’ll hear from food systems and cooperative development experts on various financing options available, and key considerations in choosing the right option based on the type of business and stage of development. Speakers: James Barham, Food Systems Specialist, USDA Rural Development Margaret Bau, Cooperative Development Specialist, USDA Rural Development Join Webinar by Clicking: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/2asq8uq2rmsd&eom - no need to pre-register Farm Incubator Program in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with MSU Program Description: The Apprentice Farmer Program is a farm incubator program that aims to serve as the launching point for individuals interested in starting their own farming enterprise. This two-year, residential program provides farming entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and assistance needed to ensure a solid start to their farming career. Land, equipment, tools, and mentorship are provided to qualified applicants so they can develop a business plan, establish accounts, build capital, and fine-tune skills. The farmers will grow alongside the talented North Farm staff and other farmers, sharing ideas, techniques, and labor. Program runs for two growing seasons, beginning in March. ****Apprentice Farmers Will Receive:*** • Access to organically managed land – 1/4 acre plot for the first year, 1/2 acre for the second year. • Access to shared infrastructure – storage space, walk-in cooler, root cellar, hoophouse space, washing/packing shed • Access to equipment and tools • Mentorship from the North Farm staff and other stakeholders • Opportunities to network with other area growers and food enthusiasts • Opportunities to participate in competency-based workshops and trainings • Optional housing at the North Farm • Assistance in developing a transition plan off the North Farm after the two-year program Cost of Participation • $700 per growing season for land and resources. • Optional on-farm housing provided at $175 per month. • Optional custom tractor work as needed is also available for a small fee. Farm Description: The Michigan State University North Farm is an education, research, and production farm located in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. The goal of The North Farm is to promote sustainable agricultural practices to ensure a robust food system in and around the UP. We utilize organic production practices, emphasize food safety, and work to grow in our challenging northern climate. We are dedicated to providing the training opportunities and resources necessary to help beginning farmers realize their farm dreams. For more information, please visit http://www.msunorthfarm.org/apprentice-farmer-program.html. Collin Thompson Extension Educator – Farm Manager The North Farm at the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Michigan State University t: (906) 439-5058 e: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> w: www.msunorthfarm.org<http://www.msunorthfarm.org> On-line Beginner Farmer Training A wide range of online course offerings for beginning farmers out of Cornell University and the Northeast Beginning Farmers Project. For more information on course schedule and topics: http://www.nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/annual-calendar-of-courses/ Kelly Henderson Begin Farming Program Coordinator Ohio Ecological Food & Farming Association 41 Croswell Rd. Columbus, OH 43214 Phone:(614) 421-2022 x213 Fax:(614) 421-2011 Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques Now Available By West Virginia University Extension Specialist Lewis Jett and his colleagues funded by a USDA SARE grant. Spurred by enthusiasm and growing markets for local agricultural products, farmers are increasing the availability of their crops beyond the traditional outdoor growing season. Find out how with SARE’s High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques<http://list.mlgnserv.com/track/click?u=7374bc3ef77a4d7a5bf6c9128e30cabe&id=c3426fa4&e=03b3463d>, a collection of practical resources for experienced growers and those who are new to season extension. -- Vicki Morrone Specialist for Organic Farming Center for Regional Food Systems Dept of Community Sustainability 480 Wilson Rd East Lansing, MI 48824 517-282-3557 (cell & Whatsap) 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