Third Call for posters for the 2017 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market EXPO!

Poster submissions are due by NOVEMBER 22nd!

PURPOSE:. Each year the Great Lakes EXPO attracts more than 4000 growers, farm marketers, greenhouse operators, and processors of fruit and vegetable crops from the Great Lakes Region and beyond. The Great Lakes EXPO poster session is part of the concurrent educational program hosted by Michigan State University, the Michigan State Horticultural Society, and the Michigan Vegetable Council during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO (http://glexpo.com/) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Posters are meant to showcase current research and extension projects relevant to fruit and vegetable producers and marketers in the Great Lakes region. Posters are organized by crop and topic area and displayed along the Grand Concourse of the DeVos Convention Center. 

This year the EXPO will be held December 5-7.

Presenting authors receive complementary registration to the EXPO. Authors are NOT required to stand by their posters.

APPROPRIATE CONTENT

• Results of extension, demonstration, and research work on fruit and vegetable pest management techniques, pest phenology, production practices, harvesting innovations, marketing tools, and packaging design.
• Summaries, from previous articles or scientific publications, transformed into posters or previously presented posters from other scientific and industry meetings (as long as they may be understood by a layperson).
• Michigan State Horticultural Society Trust Fund project reports.
• Updated or revised extension advisories.
• Institutional promotional literature. 
• Please note: advertising and/or reports developed by commercial companies are not allowed in the poster session (that is the purpose of the exhibit hall space).

INSTRUCTIONS

• Submit your poster title(s), full authorship, and the name and mail/email addresses of the presenting author** using the online form by Wednesday, NOVEMBER 22nd (https://juliannatuell.weebly.com/glexpo-poster-submission-form.html). If submitting multiple posters, please submit each poster title separately.
• Each poster will be assigned a 4 x 4 ft poster area - please be sure that your poster does not exceed these dimensions!
• Posters may be affixed to boards using velcro (not provided) or push pins (provided).
• When you arrive to install your poster, check in at the registration desk to find out your board assignment, to pick up your registration badge, and to pick up push pins (if needed).
• Posters may be installed as early as the registration desk opens on Tuesday morning, but MUST BE INSTALLED by NOON on Tuesday and left up until NOON on Thursday.
• Pertinent brochures, reprints, or 8.5x11" copies of the poster may accompany posters - please plan to attach a manila envelope to the board under the poster to contain them.
• While standing by your poster is not required, the best time is usually during the hour right before or after the afternoon sessions (from 1-2pm or 4-5pm). If you plan to stand by your poster, be sure to post the time and date when you will be there.
• Posters may be removed between 12-2pm on Thursday. After 2pm, all remaining posters will be returned to the MSU campus.  Posters returned to campus will be found in Room B18, Food Safety and Toxicology Building - presenting authors will receive an email to tell them posters are ready for pick up. 

To achieve the greatest impact in this forum:

• Keep in mind that people attending the meeting have limited viewing time.
• Make your poster colorful with plenty of photos and summary graphs, and less text.
• Focus on presenting the highlights of the work or story.
• Information presented in text form should be in a large font readable from several feet away.

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Opportunity to serve on North Central SARE Advisory Council (Sustainable Ag Research and Extension

The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) is seeking nominees for a farmer or rancher from the 12-state North Central Region to serve on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council.  The 12 states that comprise the North Central Region of SARE are IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI. Nominees based in Michigan, Missouri, or Ohio are particularly encouraged, but individuals from any of the 12 North Central Region states will be considered. 
 
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes granting decisions for the region. A collection of farm and non-farm residents, the Administrative Council includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in our 12 states. Council members come from regional farms and ranches, university extension and research programs, and nonprofits. In addition, the Administrative Council includes regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, state agencies, and agribusinesses.
 
The term for each of these SARE Administrative Council slots is three years, with the first meeting for new Council members being July 10-12, 2018. Council members attend two meetings a year, typically 2-3 day meetings in July and February at various Midwest locations, and also participate in a few conference calls each year. Travel expenses are fully covered for travel to Administrative Council meetings. Nominees should have a basic understanding of sustainable agriculture and be comfortable with reviewing grant proposals and participating in a group decision-making process. Please note that members of the Administrative Council are not eligible to apply for SARE funding during their time on the Administrative Council. More information about NCR-SARE and the Administrative Council is online at http://www.northcentralsare.org/About-Us/NCR-SARE-Leadership-and-Policy
 
To nominate yourself for a seat on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, submit the following information using our online form by December 5^th, 2017. 
(https://docs.google.com/a/umn.edu/forms/d/1N2-Ci-Ep6B0EneDC_8TXv7yo0J52KdzVISlt7XHVUy4/viewform):

• the nominee’s areas of interest or focus in sustainable agriculture 
• why the nominee is interested in serving on NCR-SARE's Administrative Council 
• the nominee’s experience, affiliations and/or qualifications 

To nominate someone else for a seat on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, please email the name and contact information for the nominee to Jean Andreasen at [log in to unmask] and she will contact them to solicit an application.

Nominations should be submitted online. We will acknowledge receipt of the materials and send a reply regarding the outcome of the election by late February 2018.

NCR-SARE is one of four regional offices that run the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, a nationwide grants and education program to advance sustainable innovation to American agriculture. Since 1988, NCR-SARE has awarded more than $40 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states. The SARE program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).

 

Educational Events and Conferences

 

Farmer to Farmer Sharing

Farmer Field School Roundtable Discussion & Gathering

Dec. 12 11:30 - 4pm

Cost: FREE (Lunch provided)
Location: Eastminster Presbyterian, 1315 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, 48823

 

11:30 am - 2pm  --  Lunch & Roundtable Discussion: Work-Life Balance for Farmers

Together, farmers and others will get together over lunch and share in discussion of successful (and unsuccessful) practices and approaches to finding balance between the work of farming and life off the farm or at least off the clock. How do passion, values, ideals, goals and financial security for the farm mesh with those of family and loved ones, and our own personal limits? A look at how and why we make the decisions we do and what we can learn from eachother and understand about the farm and family life we choose.


2 - 4pm  --  Farmer Field School Gathering & Lunch
Farmer Field School Gathering, is for workshop attendees and other new farmers to get to know more about each other, but also help us brainstorm provide feedback about Farmer Field School. This includes: feedback on workshops, input on workshop structure, pricing, timing & content, explore how to support dialogue & learning between workshops and among each other, and other topics around workshops as they emerge.

 

This year’s new Farmer Field School Gathering, is mainly for previous workshop attendees (but others are welcome) to get to know more about each other, but also help us brainstorm provide feedback about Farmer Field School. This includes: feedback on workshop format, structure, pricing, timing & content, etc., explore how to support dialogue & learning between workshops and among each other, and other topics around workshops as they emerge.

 

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AT http://www.msuorganicfarm.org/ffs-registration.html

 

All About Food: From Farm to Fork 2018 Call for Session Proposals

Event is on March 20, 2018

 

The Macomb Food Collaborative is now accepting session proposals for the 2018 All About Food: From Farm to Fork Conference being held on March 20th at the Macomb County Family Resource Center. The Family Resource Center is located at 196 North Rose, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.

Who/what is the Macomb Food Collaborative? The Macomb Food Collaborative was founded in 2011 by Macomb MSU Extension. The group’s five previous conferences have showcased the talents of more than 110 industry experts and community members while drawing an average of 200 guests per event. 

Our goals as a local, non-profit are: To boost access to local food; promote sustainability and a vibrant local food economy by educating consumers, growers, small-business and non-profits and connecting people to the resources they need to plant, grow, buy, sell, prepare, preserve, share and eat food.

We continue to expand membership to include growers, educators, food service, healthcare, government agencies, small businesses, non-profits and consumers.

 

Speaker search: We seek conference speakers who can help us achieve our goals. A few examples of past sessions: Vegetable Gardening 101; Food Preservation; Growing Your Food Business; Food Justice; Understanding Community Food Systems; and School Gardening. Unless previously agreed upon, speakers are not reimbursed for their services and are responsible for their own mileage. Creativity is encouraged!

Time slots are available in the morning and afternoon for 60 minutes. We will try to accommodate preferences, but cannot make advance guarantees. The Macomb Food Collaborative/Macomb Community Action will provide each speaker with one entry fee, a room moderator, laptop, Wi-Fi connection and projection screen. Additional entry fees may be extended to those who require assistance in setting up or delivering their presentation. Speakers are required to provide other necessary equipment, unless prior arrangements have been made.

 

Complete the online submission form at https://goo.gl/forms/ba2LcEnD5mlVMrue2 no later than COB November 24th, 201. You will be notified regarding selection in early January.

For more information, email the All About Food Conference co-Chairs, Nicole Urban at [log in to unmask] or Carolyn Thomas at [log in to unmask]. Be sure to also connect with us at MacombFood.org or on social media, at Facebook.com/MacombFoodCollaborative and on Twitter at @macombfood.

 

Tri-Societies Organic Soil Health Special Session Recap-Available for on-line viewing of sessions

 

There were over 40 research presentations and poster sessions on organic agriculture at the Tri-Societies annual meeting, including a special session on organic systems and soil health facilitated by Dr. Diana Jerkins, OFRF's Research Director. The session was recorded and is now available for viewing.

Read more

 

Registration Open: 2018 Organic Farming Research Conference   OFRF, in partnership with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and Rutgers University, will be presenting the 2018 Organic Farming Research Conference on Friday, January 26th at Rutgers University, immediately preceding the NOFA-NJ Annual Winter Conference. Join us for this in-depth discussion of organic farming and food systems. Register now

 

2018 Michigan Family Farms Conference

Welcome to the 15th Annual Michigan Family Farms Conference: Cultivating a Thriving Food Community… From the Soil on Up! This conference offers beginning, small-scale and culturally diverse farmers a chance to network, learn, and build sustainable family farms. It is an energizing, hands-on event customized for this important audience. We hope you will join us!

We are excited for all the great presenters this year including specialty crop production, labor laws, and how to choose a market. Join us on February 3, 2017 for this dynamic conference with Key Note Speaker Monica White, Sociology professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison

and alumnus of Western Michigan University.

Dr. Monica White’s research focus on communities of color and grassroots organizations involved in the development of sustainable community food systems. She is author of several publications including; Sisters of the Soil: Urban Gardening as Resistance Among Black Women in Detroit” and D-Town Farm: African American Resistance to Food Insecurity and the Transformation of Detroit.  She is currently working on her first book, Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement, 1880-2010 which summarizes and compares contemporary urban agriculture with the historical legacies of African American farmers fighting to acquire access to land.  Using historical and contemporary examples, Freedom Farmers examines the development of farmers’ cooperatives as strategies of resistance, and documents the ways that these organizations, in general, and Black farmers specifically, have contributed to the Black Freedom Movement.

Register here!

 

Employment and Internships

 

The Food Bank's Garden Project is looking for a PAID Intern: 

 

The Plant Propagation Interns will be responsible for greenhouse production of vegetable transplants for the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Garden Project and will assist in plant distribution to those in need. The internship includes a stipend ranging from $500-$1000 depending on availability and experience. Academic credits may be possible, depending on your program of study. 

 

Deadline to apply: 12/22/17 – position will be filled as soon as possible 

Internship Dates: Mid February 2018 – Mid June 2018, exact dates negotiable 

Hours per week a person can intern: minimum of 10, 15-20 preferred 

Number of applicants that are currently being accepted: 1

 

 

Organization Information: The Greater Lansing Food Bank is a non-profit organization that provides food assistance to individuals and families in need, and helps people grow their own food through the Lansing Roots Incubator Farm and Garden Project. Lansing Roots Farm helps limited resource and/or historically under-served individuals from the greater Lansing area begin successful market gardening and farming enterprises through an incubator farm setting. The goal of the Garden Project is to cultivate connections so that all community members can have access to fresh healthy foods through gardening opportunities. Since its initiation, the Garden Project has grown to support a network of nearly 500 low-income home gardeners and 130 community gardens, helping more than 8,000 people by providing access to land, how-to education, free seeds and plants, tool lending, a networking hub and more. Seedlings grown by the interns will contribute to the more than 23,000 plant starts typically given to community gardeners, home gardeners, school and church gardens and other garden entities each year at the Garden Project. 

 

 

Responsibilities: 

• Crop selection, planning and scheduling for spring and summer transplant distributions 

• Starting, watering, nutrient management, and ongoing plant maintenance 

• Management of greenhouse space (learn climate control mechanisms, organize and clean greenhouse materials) 

• Self-motivation will increase possibilities of service scope and may include conducting research projects, distribution of plants to low-income and community gardeners, and working with immigrant and refugee gardeners 

•  

 

Qualifications: 

• Academic background in Horticulture, Botany, or related field 

• For students, a Junior or Senior standing is preferred 

• Ability to travel to Hill Center Greenhouse and to the GLFB administrative office in north Lansing 

• Flexibility to work on some weekends 

• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs 

• Ability to occasionally work outdoors in all conditions while maintaining a positive attitude 

•  

 

Skills: 

• Experience growing plants from seed, familiarity with common greenhouse insects and diseases is a bonus 

• Attention to detail, and good observational skills to detect and address problems while they are small 

• Ability to serve independently after receiving adequate guidance 

• Excellent communication and organizational skills 

• Ability to coordinate work schedule and duties with other interns and program staff 

•  

 

Transportation/Location information: The greenhouse is at the Hill Center, off 5825 Wise Rd. Intern will also have work responsibilities at the GLFB administrative office at 919 Filley St. Lansing. 

 

To apply please send resume and cover letter to: 

Donny Comer - Program and Education Coordinator, Greater Lansing Food Bank 

[log in to unmask] 

 

 

Shared with you by: Donny Comer | program and education coordinator

greater Lansing food bank

mailing: p.o. box 16224 | lansing, mi 48901

office: 919 filley | lansing, mi 48906

p: 517.853.7802  f: 517.853.7817 | www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org

 

Serving Eaton, Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee, Gratiot, Isabella & Clare counties.

 

 

 

Georgia Organics is seeking a Director of Development

 

Background

Georgia Organics is a dynamic and team-driven nonprofit connecting organic food from Georgia farms to Georgia families.  Since 1997, the organization has served as the statewide leader in fostering organic farming, farm to school and community food systems.  The next five years present a tremendous opportunity for Georgia Organics to capitalize on surging interest in the good food movement and expand resource development to further its impact.

 

Position Summary
The Director of Development is responsible for leading, planning, and accelerating fund development while fostering a culture of philanthropy within the organization. The Director of Development manages a full-time development coordinator and works directly with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to meet strategic fundraising and organizational growth objectives.

 

Principle Accountabilities

• Develop and execute Georgia Organics annual fundraising plan and create monthly fundraising reports that track progress towards goals.
• Advance major donor strategies and giving to elevate the organization’s capacity.
• Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective donors that build organizational loyalty and involvement.
• Develop strategies with the Executive Director and the Georgia Organics team to expand and diversify funding sources.
• Coordinate grant-writing (research, case statements, proposal writing, reporting) projects to government, foundation and corporate funders.
• Work with the board of directors to develop fundraising skills and integrate in development strategies.
• Work with the Development Committee to execute annual plan and strategies and organize quarterly meetings and ongoing communication with committee members.
• Leverage fundraising database (eTapestry) to cultivate and retain members and donors through a streamlined system of record keeping, tracking and reporting.
• Plan, implement and coordinate fundraising special events and event sponsorships.
• Oversee the development of collateral fundraising materials and execution of direct mail and online appeal campaigns.
• Leverage emerging technologies to organize campaigns and raise funds online.
• Advance planned giving within overall fundraising plans and strategies.
• Foster a strong development culture that engages all staff in fundraising.


Select performance measures:

• Meeting strategic and budgetary fundraising goals for a $2 million budget.
• Growth and retention in members, sustaining members and major donors.
• Growth in new private funding sources, including cultivation of Georgia’s philanthropic community and national funders.
• Success of special events in both fundraising and attendance.
• Success in online and direct mail appeal campaigns.
• Involvement of board, staff and volunteers in meeting funding goals.

 

Preparation and Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five or more years of experience in nonprofit development, successful fundraising and strong understanding of fundraising principles and practices
• Demonstrated leadership in organizational, managerial and communication skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to handle situations with poise, tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to organize and prioritize work in a deadline-driven environment and effectively work within a team environment.
• Proficiency working with MS Office and donor databases; experience with eTapestry or Raiser’s Edge a plus.
• Enthusiastic, tenacious, goal-oriented and committed to excellence.
• Ability to travel throughout the state and occasionally work evening and weekends.
• Flexibility, a sense of humor, and a commitment to the mission of Georgia Organics.

 

Compensation

 

The position is a full-time position, working 40 hours a week.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  


Application Procedure

 

To apply for the position, email a cover letter, salary requirements, resume and three references to Alice Rolls, Executive Director ([log in to unmask]) by a deadline of Dec 10, 2017.  Please put “Director of Development Position” in the subject line of the email.

 

 

 Shared by: Emily Cumbie-Drake

Director of Programs

Georgia Organics

(404) 481-5005

200-A Ottley Dr.,

Atlanta, GA 30324

DONATE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | VIMEO

INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | georgiaorganic.org

 

 

Vicki Morrone-Organic Farming Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Rd

Rm 303

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-282-3557

[log in to unmask]

www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu