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Michigan Organic Listserv
December 4, 2020
Center for Regional Food Systems
Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
We thank all of our farmers for the
great food
you produce and all of your hard work. We hope that each of you are healthy and safe during these challenging
times.
Peace to all of you. |
Educational Events
Michigan Good Food Fund-Loan Preparation for New and Beginning Farmers
WHERE: Register here– https://events.anr.msu.edu/LoanPrepforFarmers/.
Jamie Rahrig, MPH, RDN
Michigan Good Food Fund Specialist, Innovation Counselor
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, MSU Product Center
Mobile: 517-881-5897
Underground Innovations-Virtual Farmer networking focusing on innovative agriculture production practices.
This event will be virtual this year, held over the course of three separate dates through the winter on Dec 18, Jan 22, and Feb 26.
Featuring Michigan growers speaking about their experiences implementing new management approaches, national and international speakers sharing ideas
that might work here, and presenters with opportunities to improve diversification of cropping systems.
The event is intended to facilitate networking between link-minded growers and stakeholders, and while a virtual format makes that more challenging,
the one advantage to this format is the ability to easily include geographically distant attendees and speakers. The attached flyer includes the agenda for session 1. One-flat price of $30 covers attendance at all three sessions. For more information and registration,
visit tiny.cc/Underground2020.
Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo is happening in December but via virtually!
Are you seeking quality programs to learn bit more about organic production and a chance to ask questions to farmers and practitioners?
This is YOUR chance
The 2020 Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo is happening, just that the program will be offered in a virtual format. This program will be held
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 8, 9, and 10. Sessions will be offered thru extended hours (into the evening) to allow attendees greater access. Registration is now open and there is no deadline or late registration fee.
Cost is $40 per person that includes all the Educational Sessions and the Virtual Trade Show.
A reduced rate is offered for students is $25. To register go to: https://glexpo.vfairs.com/en/registration
We hope that you join us. Note there are CCU credits offered for each session too!
Over the three days of GLEXPO, we are offering 19 educational specifically about organic production and key practices to help you toward successful
farming. Our speakers include organic farmers, farmers practicing organically, and researchers engaged in on-farm research.-
Here are all the program session scheduled and topics related to organic production!
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Introduction to Organic Farming Join us for a Round Table Discussion and Q&A |
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Tuesday December 8 |
3:30-5:30 |
Farming practices with or without certification and why! |
Susan Sharp, Open Sky Organic Farm, Mikayla Rowden, Still Wind Farm, Carol Caplan, Farm on Jennings Road |
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Large Scale Organic Production
This session focuses on large scale organic vegetable production
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Wednesday- December 9 |
9:00-9:25 |
Soil Fertility Management in Organic Systems
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Allen Philo
BioStar Organics Overland Park, Kansas |
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Wednesday- December 9 |
9:25-9:50 |
Electric discharge systems for weed control in sugar beet |
Tom Peters North Dakota State University |
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Wednesday- December 9 |
10:00-10:25 |
Mechanical cultivation at PrairiEarth Farm |
Hans Bishop
PrairiErth Farm Central Illinois |
AND….
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Soil Health We are constantly hearing that soils are valuable to our farming operations. But, what
does this really mean? Learn about the services that a healthy soil can provide to your farm, and different ways that soil health is measured, both in the laboratory and on the farm. |
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Wednesday December 9 |
3:30-3:55 |
Is my soil healthy? Observing and assessing soil health indicators on your farm |
Julie Grossman University of Minnesota-St Paul Dept of Horticultural Science |
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Wednesday December 9 |
3:55-4:20 |
Fertility in the context of Soil Health |
Allen Philo BioStar Organics , Overland Park, Kansas |
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Wednesday December 9 |
4:30-4:55 |
Mustard cover crops for biofumigation |
Jim Jasinski The Ohio State University |
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Wednesday December 9 |
4:55-5:20 |
Experiences in integrating cover crops on a diverse vegetable farm |
Jean-Paul Stewart-Cortens Philia Farm Johnstown, NY |
AND…
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Organic Vegetable Production Session 1 & 2
Key issues important to organic vegetable production
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Thursday Dec 10 |
3:00-3:40 PM |
Food Safety Certification for Organic Production |
Food Safety Modernization Act is now law and must be followed by farmers earning more than $25,000 gross per year. Learn how organic
production can be done while still meeting the needs of FSMA. |
Phil Tocco- Michigan State University Food Safety Specialist |
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Thursday Dec 10 |
3:40-4:10 PM |
Organic field and high tunnel tomato production |
Tomatoes, especially if available early season are an excellent product for fresh markets. Whether growing in the field or high
tunnel organic production, good management practices and careful scouting are required. Learn about the common challenges and approaches to reduce disease outbreaks and crop loss. |
Steve Bogash-organic IPM specialist with Marrone Bio Innovations |
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Thursday Dec 10 |
4:10-4:30 PM |
Q & A for previous 2 speakers |
All invited to chat-in questions and ask previous 2 speakers your questions |
All invited to participate |
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Organic Vegetable Production 2 |
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Thursday Dec 10 |
4:30-4:50 PM |
Vegetable disease Management for organic systems |
Using multiple approaches to manage disease outbreaks is your best bet, especially in organic production. Learn a whole system approach
to reduce disease build-up and crop loss. |
Judson Reid- Cornell University Vegetable Specialist |
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Thursday Dec 10 |
4:50-5:10 PM |
Nematodes managed while improving soil health for organic production |
Nematodes that attack vegetables are challenging to manage, especially in organic systems. Learn how improving your soil’s health
along with better crop production practices will manage nematode problems and reduce the risk of nematodes becoming a problem. |
Marisol Quintanillia- Michigan State University Assistant Professor in Nematology |
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Thursday Dec 10 |
5:10-5:30 PM |
Q & A for previous 2 speakers |
All invited to chat-in questions and ask previous 2 speakers your questions |
All invited to participate |
AND…
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Organic Marketing Opportunities Experiences from Farmers who use these market practices!! |
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Thursday-December 10 |
1:00-1:20 |
Socially Distant Direct Marketing: REKO Markets |
REKO (RA-ko) is a Swedish acronym meaning “fair consumption.” This Facebook-based sales model creates
a direct relationship between customers and 28 small scale farmers & producers. Members place their orders and pick up weekly in Holland or Ada, Michigan. Join this session to learn the how, when and why REKO markets. |
Heather Anderson
Green Wagon Farm |
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Thursday-December 10 |
1:20-1:40 |
Socially Distant Direct Marketing: Customizable CSA |
Green Wagon Farm has offered traditional CSA shares, a points-based choice system and is now using
a fully customizable CSA. This system maximizes choice and social distancing. Members choose the season length, share size, and pickup frequency, as well as how many and which vegetables will be in their weekly share. Or members can just take the “Suggested
Share” similar to a traditional CSA. Join us to learn about this marketing option. |
Rebecca Henderson Green Wagon Farm |
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Thursday-December 10 |
1:40:1:50 |
Live Q&A
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All are invited to ask questions and engage in the conversation |
Anderson & Henderson |
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Thursday-December 10 |
2:00-2:40 |
Cooperative Farm Marketing: Grown in Detroit |
Grown in Detroit (GID) provides urban growers with low-barrier opportunities to sell the fruits and
vegetables they grow in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. Growers receive 100% of the profits from produce sold, assist at the market stalls at Eastern Market and benefit from shared marketing via a well-respected brand. Growers have access to seeds,
plants, tools and workshops as part of the Garden Resource Program, which supports a network of 1,600 urban gardens and farms in the city. Grown in Detroit is part of Keep Growing Detroit, a nationally recognized non-profit that also operates a 1.5-acre urban
farm and teaching facility in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market District. Join this webinar to learn about this cooperative marketing model and to consider whether a similar effort could work in your community.
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Imani Foster
Keep Growing Detroit |
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Thursday-December 10 |
2:40-2:50 |
Live Q&A
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All are invited to ask questions and engage in the conversation |
Imani Foster
Keep Growing Detroit |
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AND…
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Organic Fruit Production Critical pests in organic fruit production in the Great Lakes Region |
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Thursday December 10 |
1:00-1:30
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Know your enemy: update on SWD ecology |
Dr. Matt Grieshop, Michigan State University, Dept of Entomology |
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Thursday December 10 |
1:30-2:00 |
Codling moth phenology 101: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Degree Day Models |
Dr. Matt Grieshop, Michigan State University, Dept of Entomology |
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Thursday December 10 |
2:00-3:00 |
Codling Moth Sterile Insect Release Overview |
Chris Adams, Oregon State University, Dept of Entomology |
AND… For beginning farmers!
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GLEXPO Beginning farmer sessions overview |
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Tuesday Dec 7 |
7:00-9:00 pm |
Beginning farmers share their experiences of how they “learned” farming and marketing of their produce |
Iythiyel Zurishaddai-Farming and working with D-Town Farms, Detroit MI Mikayla Rowden, Owner and farmer of
Stillwind Farm in Muskegon, Michigan Carole Caplan-Sosin, owner and farmer of
The Farm on Jennings in Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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Wednesday Dec 8 |
7:00-9:00 pm |
1.
The virtues of cover crops to support soil and crop health. 2. Choosing robust varieties to meet your farming and market needs 3. How the EQIP program can help beginning farmers-application process and program identification. |
1. Dr. Julie Grossman from University of Minnesota –
2. Dr. Ron Goldy, with Michigan State University Extension-
3. Jen Silveri, Agriculture Director of MIFFS (Michigan Food and Farming Systems) in Lansing, Michigan-. |
We hope to “see” you at GLEXPO. For full agenda visit www.GLEXPO.ORG
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Grants & Funding Opportunities
CFAP-2-Help for farmers who lost income from their markets during COVID 19
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This program is to assist farmers with lost income due to market disruption during COVID-19 . Deadline is Dec
11 and you can get help from your local FSA office or through MIFFS, Michigan Food and Farming, This round is much easier to apply for than the previous round, so give it a try to make up for some of your losses.
Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) is available to help get you started on your application- help in English or Spanish. For more information, please call (517) 709-8271 or email [log in to unmask],
and for support in Spanish please call Filiberto Villa-Gomez at (269) 830-2309 or email [log in to unmask].
General information about the program is available at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/cfap__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8FuPhK7ow$
CFAP2 FAQ https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/faq__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8F9PxYiZQ$
HOW TO APPLY
Application Deadline is December 11, 2020
Producers with questions or who need assistance can make an appointment with FSA to review their application or for help.
STEP 1: Review the eligibility criteria to determine if you can and should apply.
Use the USDA payment calculator tool to estimate your payment:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CFAP2-PaymentCalculator-09242020.xls__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8EZ8WiXeQ$
STEP 2: If you have questions or would like to talk your application over before submitting it, either call the producer hotline (877-508-8364) with questions or call your local FSA office for an appointment (even if you are not 100% sure you will apply).
An FSA office locator is available at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8EOylfHYw$
STEP 3: Complete all forms and begin compiling necessary records.
Reminder: supporting documentation is not required to apply, but may be requested by FSA later as part of a spot check verification. If supporting documentation is requested to verify the information specified on the application, the producer must provide
records that support what the information you reported. Useful records may include proof acres, sales, inventory, or production reported, by showing copies of receipts, ledgers of income, income statements of deposit slips, veterinarian records, register
tapes, invoices for custom harvesting, and records to verify production costs, contemporaneous measurements, truck scale tickets, or contemporaneous diaries that are determined acceptable by USDA.
For more details visit: FLAG (Farmers' Legal Action Group) here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.flaginc.org/covid-19-guide/__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8G2fHZY1A$
STEP 4: Submit your application before December 11, 2020 through your local FSA, at your USDA Service Center, or online. FSA staff at your local USDA Service Center will work with producers to file applications. Applications may be submitted via
mail, fax, hand delivery, or via electronic means.
If you have an eAuthentication account with USDA, you can apply online for CFAP2 at the portal: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://apps.fsa.usda.gov/cfap2/index.jsp__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8FVgYqSOA$
If you do not have an eAuthentication account with USDA, you can create one with the USDA office. More information is on the page https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/sign-in__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8GqNKycWg$
(scroll down to create new account). You will need to contact the service center to set up an account, use the service center locator here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8EOylfHYw$
A call center is available for producers who would like additional one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process. Please call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. The call center can provide service to non-English
speaking customers. Customers will select 1 for English and 2 to speak with a Spanish speaking employee. For other languages, customers select 1 and indicate their language to the Call Center staff. For more information on the application process, please visit
the CFAP 2 FAQ page at https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/faq__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8F9PxYiZQ$ .
For additional resources on how to apply, including several hotlines with people eager to assist you in your application, please visit our website: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.miffs.org/cfap-2__;!!HXCxUKc!ikiIFH__Wu6kv9_nPPBQyYFor81wpLdmZ92DlBMtwco8DNZyap9DX8GZsvHC8Q$
If you are in need of relief funds then we strongly encourage you to apply, whether your production is urban or rural, small or large-scale, nonprofit or for profit. Please share this widely and let us know if there is anything MIFFS can do to support you!
EcoFarm
Conference Scholarships
The Ecological Farming Association and Sierra Harvest are presenting the 41st EcoFarm Conference virtually from January 21-23, 2021. Scholarships are
available to cover registration costs. EcoFarm is committed to centering and lifting up BIPOC and LGBTQAI++ who are doing transformative work in agriculture. Scholarship recipients will include those affected by climate disasters.
Applications are due by December 28, 2020.
Young
Farmer Grants
The National Young Farmers Coalition is offering 50 Young
Farmer Grants of $5,000 each to a new cohort of young
farmers and ranchers: 45 awards to businesses already in operation, and five to projects starting in 2021. Young Farmer Grants are designed to provide a flexible financial boost to young farmers
building long-term careers in agriculture. Applicants must be farmers and ranchers between 18 and 40 years of age as of April 1, 2021. A minimum of 50% of the grants are committed to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, and 50% of grants to female-identifying,
non-binary, and trans farmers, not mutually exclusively.
Applications are due by January 15, 2021.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative
(OREI) for Fiscal Year 2021. This program offers approximately $25 million to support projects that solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension. The purpose of this program
is to fund high priority integrated projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical,
and social sciences, including economics. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, private organizations and corporations, and individuals.
The application deadline is January 14, 2021.
Employment Opportunities
Michigan Good Food Fund Partnership Specialist-Outreach
Application Procedure:
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/listing/
This is job # 680888 with Michigan State University The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) within the Department of Community Sustainability is seeking a full-time Specialist
– Outreach, to support outreach and business assistance efforts to Michigan food businesses to increase good food access to low-income urban and rural communities. The position will support existing CRFS initiatives and help to develop additional programming
capacity to meet deliverables of a USDA-funded Regional Food Systems Partnership project. Core partners are MSU Extension, MSU Product Center, and the City of Battle Creek.
This position, as a full-time Academic Specialist in a partnership between CRFS and the MSU Product Center (PC), will support the Michigan Good Food Fund (MGFF), the healthy food
financing initiative of the Michigan Good Food Charter and a $30M loan fund that to date has provided over $12M in financing to good food businesses. The work includes leading efforts through partnerships within Battle Creek and the SW Michigan region’s food
systems initiatives focused on food and farm entrepreneurship, conducting outreach, and working one-on-one with entrepreneurs, especially focused on supporting entrepreneurs of color, connecting them to business resources and financing. They will support programmatic
efforts aligned with the Michigan Good Food Charter in Battle Creek and SW Michigan, occupying an office in Battle Creek as well as on the MSU campus in East Lansing.
In partnership with the MSU PC, this position will also function as a PC Innovation Counselor, participating in MSU Extension’s Community, Food, and Environment Institute. Responsibilities include conducting
outreach and marketing educational programs for business development for agriculture/food sectors to advance value-added products and services in line with deliverables of the grant. Personal, written, and multimedia education as well as planning and implementation
of virtual, local, regional, and statewide events, such as Making it in Michigan, is an integral part of the position.
High emotional intelligence, using a racial equity lens in all program and communication efforts, network building and facilitation, and organization skills are critical for success.
The position will be responsible for striving to create a strong, equitable, and sustainable networked food ecosystem in partnership with local organizations and area businesses.
This position is an opportunity for a collaborative, network-oriented, resourceful candidate to join teams supporting local and regional agriculture and food economic development
in Michigan.
Position expectations:
Expected of all CRFS Academic-Outreach specialists:
Qualifications:
Status: This is a full-time, annual year, fixed-term position.
Initial appointment will be for one year with annual reappointments contingent upon funding and performance.
Available: March 1, 2021, or when a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Deadline: December 7, 2020 11:55pm Eastern Standard Time or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Salary: Commensurate with education and experience
Reporting: Individual reports to Director,
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
Application Procedure:
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/listing/
This is job # 680888
MSU Affirmative Action Statement:
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages
applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. Michigan State University employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion,
age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Michigan State University (www.msu.edu)
is a pioneer Land Grant institution based in East Lansing, Michigan that provides regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research, excellence in teaching, an emphasis on international engagement, and a strong extension program
that partners with diverse stakeholders to bring science-based responses to social and environmental challenges.
The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible
and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is
achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.
Racial Equity Statement of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems:
CRFS recognizes that racism in the food system is historic, ongoing, and systemic. As we collaborate with partners to advance food systems rooted in local regions and centered on
food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable, we emphasize racial equity as a foundation of our work.
** END**
[log in to unmask]" alt="signature_314545316">
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)
Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.