Michigan Organic Listserv
Feb 16, 2019
Center for Regional Food Systems
Questions or contributions?
Contact Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask]) 517-282-3557
News to help you and your farm grow!
Educational Events
Hoophouse Management and Marketing
Saturday, February 23, 2019, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
North Central Michigan College, HESC (Science) building
1515 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
1:00 Registration
1:15 Speakers:
• Erin Caudell, MIFMA; Pricing for wholesale and market sales.
• Brian Bates, Bear Creek Organic Farm; Lean farming for profit and prosperity.
• Susan Sharp, Open Sky Organic Farm; Flowers and specialty herbs.
Business advisors will be available for consultation
Fee: $20
For more information call
or email Larry Dyer: 231-881-2784 or [log in to unmask]
This field day is a collaboration with Crosshatch, www.crosshatch.org,
and the Local Food Alliance with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency.
The USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider
Information or questions contact: Larry Dyer-231-881-2784
Join us for the fifth annual Great
Lakes Hop and Barley Conference, February 28 - March 2 at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, Michigan!
The conference will feature an introductory preconference for beginners on February 28th, individual hop and barley tracks covering advanced topics on March 1st, and an exciting plenary
session as well as two post conference tour options on March 2nd. We are also excited to again partner with the Michigan Brewers Guild for a special networking reception for attendees.
The hop track will feature John Taberna (Western Labs) discussing soil and plant nutrient testing and management, Doug Walsh (Washington State University) taking a deep dive into mite
biology and management, presentations by the Hop Quality Group and Hop Growers of Michigan, as well as many Michigan State University specialists covering topics ranging from disease management to nutrient leaching.
The barley track will include a presentation on malting grains for function and flavor by Aaron MacLeod (Center for Craft Food and Beverage, NY), information on barley contracts by Ryan
Hamilton (Michigan Barley Association), the 2018 barley quality report from Christian Kapp (MSU), and numerous research reports by MSU specialists.
The combined plenary session will feature a value chain, sales and marketing panel with industry experts, a sensory panel training with Roy Desrochers (Tufts University), and an exciting
cover crops presentation by world renowned expert Dr. George Bird (MSU).
During the registration process, participants will be asked to select their preferred track for Friday in order to determine space needs at the facility.
February 28: Optional Pre-Conference Session - Introduction to Hop and Barley Production
March 1: Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference - Keynote presentation, Hop Track, Barley & Malt Track, Michigan Brewers Guild Reception
March 2: Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference - Plenary session including sensory training and cover crop presentation (Morning)
March 2: Option Tour - MI Local Hops or Great Lakes Malting Company (Afternoon)
Register today by clicking below.
https://events.anr.msu.edu/GLHBC2019/
J Robert Sirrine, Ph.D.
Senior Educator
Michigan State University Extension
Suite 107, 8527 E. Government Center Dr.
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231-256-9888
hops.msu.edu
Starting and Sustaining a School Garden
Register at: events.anr.msu.edu
Participants will learn about starting a school garden and how to keep it going. The theme for the conference this year is "Exploring Seasons in the Garden." |
Payment can be made by credit card or check. An invoice will be emailed immediately after registration is completed. If paying by check please mail check to address on invoice. The
registration deadline is Friday, April 26, 2019. For information about partial scholarships, contact Kristine Hahn (248) 802-4590 or [log in to unmask]
Kristine Hahn
Michigan State University Extension Educator
Community Food Systems
Oakland County Office
1200 Telegraph Rd. #26E
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-802-4590
Farming for the Future - March 20, 2019
8:30-3pm. VanBuren Conference Center, Must register but free event!
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We have finalized our meeting agenda and we are excited to share it with you! Registration is required and lunch is included for this free event. There are 6 RUPs and MAEAP Phase
1 available.
We have great topics lined up for this year’s conference. We are bringing in Gary Zimmer as our Keynote speaker to talk about how carbon drives nutrients in our soils. He will also
discuss incorporating composts, biologicals and cover crops into your current system. Other topics include: improved sprayer technology, organic transition, DEQ permits for wetlands, Lessons from a farmer on building soil health and how to prevent agriculture’s
next SWD.
8:30 A.M.
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Registration & Refreshments
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9:00 A.M.
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Welcome & Introductions; VBCD Programs
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9:30 A.M.
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Biological Farming: How to make it work for your farm
Keynote Speaker: Gary Zimmer (Midwestern BioAg)
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11:00 A.M.
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Breakout A: Do I need a permit from DEQ to farm here? Wetland rules and regulations for farmers (Derek Haroldson & Amy Berry, MDEQ)
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Breakout B: Best practices for grain spraying: more spray where you want it,
less where you don’t! (Mark Ledebuhr, Application Insight, LLC)
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12:00
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Lunch
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1:00
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Breakout A: Best practices and cutting-edge tech for fruit and vegetable sprays (Mark Ledebuhr, Application Insight, LLC)
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Breakout B: Lessons from a farmer: One farm’s evolution toward soil health (Brock Gobrogge, Dykhuis Farms)
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1:50 2:50
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Break
Breakout A: How to prevent the next SWD - Lessons from Pennsylvania management of Spotted Lanternfly and other invasive pests (Heather Leach, Penn State Extension).
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Breakout B: Transition to organic farming – the “What,” “Why” and “How” (Mark Seeley, On Mark Certification Services & Joel Layman, J D Layman Farms)
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2:50 P.M.
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Adjourn |
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You can find more information or to sign up go here: https://vanburencd.org/event/farming-for-the-future-2019/
Or give us a call at 269-657-4030 x 5
Starting and Sustaining a School Garden: Exploring
Seasons in the Garden May 10 8-3:30 Tollgate Educational Center
This conference is designed for hands-on teachers, parents & volunteers involved in school gardens.
The conference will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Tollgate Education Center and Farm located at 28115 Meadowbrook Road Novi, MI 48377.
The registration fee is $85.00 for the entire day and includes lunch.
Online registration is available at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/SchoolGarden2019/
Save The Date…July 26, 2019
2019 MSU Ag Innovations Day; Focus on Precision Technology that Pays
The event is July 26, 2019 at University Farms in East Lansing, Michigan. With a theme of “Focus on Precision Technology That Pays,” experts will detail how implementing technology
that aids in decision-making can improve yields, increase profit margins and reduce environmental impacts.
The free event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., features nine field-based sessions focused on specific issues and includes lunch.
To find additional information on the event and to register please visit: visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/msu_agriculture_innovation_day/
Grant Opportunities
Funds for School Gardens
We are pleased to announce a new garden grant opportunity for school and
early care and education sites:
The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant
program is now accepting applications for the 2019 grant year.
With funding from the Community
Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Michigan State University Extension will award approximately
20 grants for schools or early care and education sites that are planning or implementing school garden programming.
Grant awards will range from $500 - $1,500. In addition to funding, grantees will receive technical assistance, training and connection to a network of peers.
The grant year is from April 8th, 2019 – April 7th, 2020.
The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant program
offers planning and implementation grants to schools or early care and education sites located in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The application must be submitted by an employee of the school or
ECE site affiliated with the garden.
Note: For schools located in Detroit, we are partnering with local organizations which currently provide support to school gardens,
including the Detroit Public School Community District’s Office of Nutrition and Keep Growing Detroit to avoid duplicative efforts and maximize resources available to schools.
We encourage schools to connect with these organizations (links below) and consider the resources offered before applying for this grant. We hope this grant will offer opportunities to complement these resources and
contribute to sustainability of the network of resources available in the City.
Planning grants help schools
and early care and education sites that are in the beginning phases of creating a school garden. Planning grantees will create a school garden action
plan and form a school garden team by the end of the grant period.
Implementation grants help schools
and early care and education sites that are ready to establish a school garden or will expand their school garden program.
Expansion can include expanding the physical garden, curriculum implemented, students reached or other program additions. Having a school garden team
is a prerequisite to apply for an implementation grant. Implementation grantees will create a school garden sustainability plan
to maintain the garden and activities beyond the grant period.
Please visit the Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant
page for more details regarding the grant program, eligibility, and requirements.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/community_food_systems/school-gardens/school-garden-mini-grants
Applications are due on Monday, February 25th at
5pm.
Questions or additional information?
Contact:
Kaitlin Koch Wojciak
Michigan State University Extension Educator
Community Food Systems
21885 Dunham, Suite 12
Clinton Township, MI 48036
Work: 586-469-6088
Cell: 313-695-7746
Work Opportunities
Michigan Food Corps Openings!
A great opportunity to share, gain valuable experience and demonstrate your passion and abilities!
The application
portal for 2019-2020 FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Members is now open through March 15, 2020. Members for the program year must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours between August 1, 2019 and July 15, 2020.
FoodCorps offers service positions in 18 states and cities, including communities throughout AZ, AR, CA, CT, DC metro area, GA, HI, IA, ME, MA, MI, MS, MT,
NJ, NM, NYC, NC, and OR. To see a list of our State Partners, please visit FoodCorps
Service Sites .
In Michigan, we currently serve in the following communities: Battle Creek, Boyne Falls,
Detroit, Ferndale, Flint, Muskegon, Pellston, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City. For a description of these sites, visit: FoodCorps
Michigan Website . If applying for a Michigan placement, be sure to select the state as a preferred location on your application.
Who We Are
In order to successfully complete your term of service, you must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours between August 1, 2019 and July 15, 2020.
FoodCorps is a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy. We do that by placing motivated leaders in limited-resource communities
for a year of public service. Serving under the direction of local partner organizations, our service members focus on three areas of service:
· Hands-on learning: students grow, cook, and taste new foods, which builds their skills and changes food preferences
· Healthy school meals: the cafeteria experience steers students towards the healthiest options and gets them excited to try new healthy foods
· Schoolwide culture of health: as a whole, the school community and environment – from hallways to classrooms to cafeteria to grounds – celebrates healthy food. We measure
our success in terms of changes in children, schools, and systems.
What We’re Looking For
• Passion for building a healthier future for schoolchildren
• Commitment to working hard in order to make a difference
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Motivation to serve full-time in a limited resource community
• Perseverance in the face of challenges and creativity in finding solutions
• Respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background
• Experience working in or studying food systems, agriculture, public health, education, community organizing, or public service
• Experience working or volunteering in education, youth development, or other teaching settings
• Knowledge of the culture, history, and/or language of the communities we serve
• Desire to gain hands-on experience for your career
• Demonstrated ability or dedication to performing the activities listed below
To be considered for a FoodCorps service member position, you must:
• Be 18 years or older by the start of your service term
• Be a legal, permanent resident of the United States
• Hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
What You’ll Do
Service members work with schools, service site organizations and local communities to build healthy school food environments. They do this in a variety of
ways:
What You’ll Gain
· $18,250 living stipend paid out in biweekly increments over your 11-month term
· $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of your term of service, which can be used for additional schooling or to pay off student loans
· Student loan deferral or forbearance upon approval from your lender
· Health insurance if you aren't already covered
· If you have children, you might be eligible for childcare reimbursements
· Numerous training and professional development opportunities
· The experience of a lifetime!
For More Information
Contact FoodCorps Michigan Program Coordinator Ana Cristina Cujar - [log in to unmask]
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Promote an Outstanding Farmer or Educator for NCR SARE Hero!
SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension) North Central Program is seeking nomination for their 2019 NCR SARE Hero!! These are persons who have done great work toward
promoting sustainable agriculture in their communities.
In recent past Michigan was the home to two of NCR SARE Heroes, Dr. Dale Mutch (the “cover crop king” for Michigan and Dr. George Bird “The nematode guru”. If you have a person that
you would like to nominate please take a moment and sent their name and info to North Central SARE by March 20, 2019.
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Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist
Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-282-3557 (cell)
sorrone11 (skype)