The Local Food Alliance and Crosshatch, with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency are offering two mini-conferences in Charlevoix and Petoskey. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with other farmers There will also be opportunities for one-on-one consultation with business advisors */Register online/**/: Hoophouse (/**/http://bit.ly/hoophouses/**/); Fruit and nut crops (/**/http://bit.ly/fruitcrops/**/)/**//**Fee: $20 *for each mini-conference***/ /* */For more information call or email Larry Dyer/*: 231-881-2784 or [log in to unmask] Fruit and nut crops in Northern Michigan Thursday, March 1, 2018, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Charlevoix Public Library, Community Rooms, Charlevoix, Michigan 1:00 Registration 1:15 Speakers: • Duke Elsner, MSU Extension; Understanding spotted wing Drosophila • Roger Blackwell, Chestnut Growers, Inc.; Potential for chestnuts in Northern Michigan. • Julie Studier, Tower Hill Farm, Renovating and transitioning apple orchards to organic. 4:15 Farmer forum * *Innovations in hoop houses Saturday, March 17, 2018, 1:00-5:00 p.m. North Central Michigan College, HESC (Science) building, Petoskey, Michigan 1:00 Registration 1:15 Speakers: • Rachel Cross, Spirit of Walloon; Diverse specialty crops in the hoophouse. • Dion Stepanski, Presque Isle Farm; Extending your lettuce season • David Coveyou, Coveyou Scenic Farm. Using geothermal and solar technologies. 4:15 Farmer forum -- Larry Dyer 231-881-2784 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