Michigan Organic Listserv

January 20, 2023

From the desk of Vicki Morrone, Dept of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University

This information is not intended to promote any product or commercial enterprise.

 

Welcome to the new year. I hope your season is bountiful and you and your families are healthy and happy.

News You Can Use

2023 Farm Bill Program & Crop Insurance Decisions – What fits your farm?

The 2023 US Farm Bill is being discussed and you have an opportunity to join and share your thoughts! If you are a farmer/grower/rancher then your needs and ideas should be heard! There are listening and discussion sessions coming up-here are 2 chances to engage:

A webinar series is being offered by MSU Extension to assist farmers in choosing the best Farm Bill program to fit their needs.

Will it be Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or Agricultural Loss Coverage (ARC) for your farm?

For the upcoming 2023 production year, producers once again have the opportunity to select which Farm Bill program will work best for their farms. Will it be Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or Agricultural Loss Coverage (ARC) for your farm?

Answering that question is a bit more complex when considering the importance of crop insurance options that tie into farm bill programs. The Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) are key factors in determining which program may be best. These county-based revenue insurance additions would be on top of what producers have selected for individual coverage on their farms up to 86% for SCO and from 86% up to 95% with ECO.

On February 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., experts from Michigan State University Extension and Eagle Valley Ag Risk Advisors, LLC will provide you with the best information to help you evaluate your risk and make your Farm Bill decisions. Online via Zoom!

At this meeting producers will:

• Hear highlights from the 2023 decisions and how those decisions played out across the state
• Learn the latest in policy and impacts of programs
• Learn about current and new crop insurance options available to you
• Work through case examples using the MSU Extension Farm Bill Calculator to help make better decisions on ARC versus PLC as each crop and FSA farm number may result in a different choice
• Discuss specific program details with experts

Featured Experts:

• Molly Sears, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
• Roger Betz, Michigan State University Extension Senior Educator
• Jon LaPorte, Michigan State University Extension Educator
• Elliot Alfredson, Eagle Valley Ag Risk Advisors, LLC

Participation in this meetings is free, but producers are asked to register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/farmbill23/.

 

Winter school online for apple production offered

Hey apple growers, looking for some information on your orchard and production system?  Penn State University is offering an online winter school, 2 afternoons. Check it out! Pennsylvania has many of the same challenges and climate as much of Michigan, so this information is relevant, although this program is not strictly on organic production. https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/winter-commercial-tree-fruit-school-webinars-offered-by-penn-state/

 

Michigan Family Farms Conference

Michigan Family Farm Conference

miffs.org/mffc2023 Join us!! February 25 at KVCC!

 

We are excited and continue planning the in-person conference at the Texas Township Campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. We have been working on a new layout plan for the conference to give a bit more space and enjoy more of the beautiful building. Registration, Sponsorship, and Awards Nominations are all open and links are below. We will be posting updates and more info on social media with updates (and maybe even a special newsletter!).

 

Conference Registration: https://bit.ly/mffc2023registration

Conference Awards Nominations: https://bit.ly/mffc2023awards

Sponsorship & Exhibiting:     https://bit.ly/https://bit.ly/mffc2023sponsorships

 

Feel free to reach out with questions or for more info!

We are also looking for volunteers for the day of the event and if you are interested, please email us at [log in to unmask]

 

We are still firming up some of the details about busses but will have that soon! For more info about the bus in your area, contact the coordinator for the locations below:

·         Brenda Foster-Sharpe 313-971-9557 (Detroit)

·         Kelly McClelland 810-244-8555 (Flint)

·         Julie Lehman 517-853-7809 (Lansing)

·         Battle Creek TBD

 

Marbleseed's 34th Organic Farming Conference

https://marbleseed.org/events/organic-farming-conference

Join us for the 34th annual Organic Farming Conference, February 23-25, 2023 in La Crosse, Wisconsin!

Featuring inspiring speakers, educational workshops, Organic Universities, and farmer panels, the Marbleseed Conference offers knowledge for all experiences from organic and sustainable farmers, homesteaders, food policy advocates and more. Dozens of transformative, skill-building workshops and roundtables covering business management, soil health, and production are crafted to advance resilient organic farms and regenerative food systems. Learn more about our 34th Organic Farming Conference here.

Explore lodging options in La Crosse. Please note, the options marked “Shuttle Hotel” will be on the shuttle route.

If you would like to receive a printed Registration Guide please contact [log in to unmask].

Interested in volunteering at the conference? In exchange for 10-12 hours of service, you can attend the full conference for just $50! Volunteers must be at least age 18. Apply now! .

Interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor at the next Organic Farming Conference? Opportunities are announced in September. Learn how to become a sponsor or exhibitor.

NEW THIS YEAR! Conference registration includes online access to workshop recordings.

Workshop and Roundtable submissions are closed for the 2023 conference, but we’d love your input for the 2024 conference!
Submit a 2024 Workshop proposal here.
Submit a 2024 Roundtable proposal here.

Get updates about the Organic Farming Conference and more when you sign up for our newsletter.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for the full conference, one-day admission, or Organic University. Priority may be given to beginning farmers, veterans, historically underserved farmers, and those who have not been able to attend the conference in the past. Tell us why you want to attend the Marbleseed Conference and need a scholarship to make that happen. Apply now to be placed on the scholarship waitlist!

 

 Great Lakes Incubator Farm is Accepting Applications!

https://natureiscalling.org/glif

 

Do you or someone you know want to start a farming business but don’t know where to begin? Here at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF), we’ll show you the ropes to get your foot in the agriculture industry!

 

GLIF is a farmer training program where participants actively grow crops on the land while learning regenerative farming principles, building a personalized business plan, and developing the skills needed to run a successful farm business, all while being supported by GLIF’s infrastructure and educational framework. Throughout the program, GLIF will provide land, tools and equipment, mentorship, and necessary education to best support a farming business. We welcome all levels of experience, but preference will be given to applicants with some agricultural experience or training.

 

Each participant will be responsible for farming their own crops and will have access to additional plot space used for experimental and demonstration crops. The program will begin in March 2023 and will run for three years, or until the farmer has met the graduation requirements. Farmers will not only have access to land, equipment, and training, but also have the opportunity to tour successful regenerative farms in the area as well as attend professional workshops and events.

 

To become a farmer at GLIF, please apply at https://natureiscalling.org/glif-application

 or contact the farm manager, Layla Khorsheed email: [log in to unmask] for any questions or more information about the program. 

 

 

Midwest GRIT is Seeking Farmers for its 2023 Cohort!

https://www.midwestgrit.org/

 

Join fellow agricultural entrepreneurs in the Upper Midwest in a paid peer-to-peer learning experience beginning April 2023! Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training) was developed to support food-grade grain farmers and their contributions to a resilient regional grain shed!

 

Midwest GRIT is a compensated yearlong training program built on a foundation of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Farmers will support each other to gain new knowledge of organic food-grade grain production and marketing, while also developing and/or strengthening mentoring skills that will benefit their communities beyond the length and scope of this program and each individual cohort. Educational programming will provide tools, hands-on education, and networking opportunities to establish or expand on each participants’ existing agricultural enterprises and experience. 

 

Twelve (12) months of programming includes:

• Regular peer-to-peer engagement
• Monthly workshops
• Monthly virtual seminars with topics ranging from field work to finance
• Regional field days, on-farm demonstrations, and hands-on workshops
• Virtual and in-person networking events to connect farmers with one another, as well as grain processors, end-users, and consumers
• Programming that supports and strengthens the success of women, non-binary, BIPOC, beginning, and other disproportionately under-resourced farmers

 

Application period is open through March 3, 2023. Further program details and benefits can be found online at www.midwestgrit.org/apply. Learn more at our GRIT program informational webinars on Thursday, January 19, 2-3p CT or Thursday, February 16, 6-7p CT (click date to register). 

 

All farmers are encouraged to apply, and one third of the cohort is reserved for farmers that identify as women. Preference is given to women, BIPOC, and currently farming applicants in IA, IL, IN, MI, MN and WI. Should you have any questions or difficulty submitting your application, please contact Midwest GRIT Program Manager Christine Johnson at cjohn[log in to unmask] or by phone at 847-971-3092. 

 

Cheers to dynamic new year & growing season,

Christine Johnson, Program Manager of Midwest GRIT

 

Employment Opportunities

 

Job Opportunities Listing in the food and ag world

If you are seeking employment in the ag sector there are some great opportunities listed on ComFoods Job list: Visit: https://elist.tufts.edu/sympa/subscribe/comfoodjobs?previous_action=info to sign up to receive notices

 

The St. Louis (Michigan) Farmers Market is seeking a new market manager 

https://www.stlouismi.com/visitors/farmers-market/

Job description and salary can be found here:

SLFM MM Job Description (gratiotfarmersmarkets.com)

 

To apply please submit a job application, cover letter and resume to [log in to unmask]

 

Please direct questions to Linda Bader at (989)620-0448 or email: [log in to unmask]

Linda Bader

Certified Market Manager

St. Louis Farmers Market

Cell/Text: 989-620-0448

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/stlouisfm

Web: www.gratiotfarmersmarkets.com/st-louis.html

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter

To remove yourself from this list, email to: [log in to unmask] and include the following in the text of the message: UNSUBSCRIBE FARMMKTMI.

 

Braddock Farms is seeking a Farm Manager

https://www.growpittsburgh.org/about-us/locations/braddock-farms/

Production · Braddock, Pennsylvania

Priority Deadline: January 29th. Open until filled. 

Summary of Position:

The Braddock Farms Manager is responsible for managing vegetable, fruit, herb, and seedling production at Braddock Farms, located in Braddock, PA.  Food produced is sold directly to the local community through Grow Pittsburgh’s on-site farm stands at Braddock Farms and Shiloh Farm, through underserved local farmers markets, and occasionally through partners such as Harvie. The Braddock Farms Manager will oversee all crop production and manage all day to day responsibilities of the farm and the people working there.  

Braddock Farms also serves as an urban agriculture demonstration site, offering educational opportunities for farm workers, volunteers, and high school employees, as well as the public through our workshop series and online resources. The farm provides space for community engagement with events in addition to the farm stand. 

The ideal candidate will support and guide Braddock Farms supporting Grow Pittsburgh’s commitment to our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion practices.  The Manager is responsible for creating and nurturing a collaborative team at Braddock Farms.

Grow Pittsburgh General:

• Meeting and working with other Grow Pittsburgh Staff to execute Grow Pittsburgh’s  mission and vision 
• Regularly update Grow Pittsburgh’s communications team about electronic newsletters and social media posts.
• Participate in general Grow Pittsburgh meetings, committees, and initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations

Overview of role: Production of produce, education for volunteers and community, develop manage staff and hiring, work with market outlets such as restaurants

Required skills

• At least five years of experience working on a vegetable farm
• Two years farm management experience. 
• Experience working at or managing a farmers market or farm stand
• Knowledge of and experience in utilizing Integrated Pest Management
• Plant, pest and disease identification skills
• Well organized, with focus and follow-through
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Ability to work independently/resourcefulness
• Good communication skills, including writing and public presentation skills with both youth and adults
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, including the ability to plan events and organize workers
• Ability to do physical and labor intensive work in all weather conditions for at least 8 hours.
• Able to work Weekends and outside of normal business hours
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Access to a reliable vehicle

• Must also be comfortable driving the company vehicle as needed for large purchases and deliveries

• Must attain Pennsylvania child abuse clearances

• Proficiency with social media, Powerpoint, Google Drive, Excel, Wordpress, and Salesforce a plus

Benefits:

The COMPLETE RANGE for this position is $41,000 - $51,000   Great benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage, 401k retirement plan with employer match, mileage reimbursement and partial cell phone reimbursement.  Professional development budget provided.

 

Position Title- MSU EXTENSION COMMUNITY, FOOD, AND ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE-Tollgate Public Program Coordinator

https://www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/

 

Extension Program Instructor- MSU Extension at Tollgate, Novi Michigan

Program Instructor, #841057 Tollgate County, District 11. Salary $40,400, Benefits Comprehensive benefits package (https://www.hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html)

To Apply

Current MSU Employees:

Access the EBS portal. Under the My Career and Training section, select the Careers @ MSU tile to view Internal Job Postings.

 External Applicants:

Visit http://careers.msu.edu

 Posting Number:

841057

 Application Deadline:

2/7/2023, Contact [log in to unmask] if you have questions

 

Position Overview               

As part of MSUE and the CFEI, MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center promotes food system awareness through exploring the sustainable, nutritional, and cultural aspects of agriculture. Our programming educates the public about food production while encouraging ethical food producers.

 

We are seeking a Public Program Coordinator to further the mission of MSU Tollgate through the planning and delivery of day camps, and additional public programming. In this role, you will coordinate all aspects of our summer camp programming including supervising counselors, planning programming, ensuring compliance with MSU and 4-H policies, and creating a safe, fun, and educational experience for youth for the nine weeks of summer. Provides leadership and oversight of local programs, clients, and participants, oversees and ensures program/project promotion and expansion activities. Through supervising educator, works in concert with the appropriate MSUE Institute and/or work team(s) to ensure alignment of programs with overall goals of work team, Institute, and organization.

 

This position will work from the MSU Tollgate Farm, a 160-acre farm located in the suburbs of Detroit, MI. This position is a full-time, end-dated appointment renewable annually based continued funding. Currently funding is anticipated to be available for 1 year.

 Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (see full description for complete list of requirements)‌

• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, agriculture, or other applicable degree and two years of experience in program management and delivery in area of focus.

• Combination of education and specific, relevant experience, may be considered in lieu of degree.

Application Process

View full description and apply through the MSU careers page. Search for posting 841057 using the Job Search field.  Application deadline is February 7 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

Sorrone11 (skype)