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Michigan Organic Listserv
February 6, 2023
From the Desk of Vicki Morrone ([log in to unmask])
Dept of Community Sustainability
News you can use so don’t snooze!
Conference and Educational Opportunities
Michigan Organic Reporting Session –
A day to learn, discuss and network!
ITS BAAACK!!! The Michigan Organic Reporting Session will be held March 3, 2023 at Brody Hall at MSU from 9-4 pm. $25 includes great
discussions, lunch, handouts, and a heck of a good time!
The theme will be “Managing organic crops in our changing climate’.
We will offer presentations on Michigan based on-farm research and practices shared by researchers and farmers. In the afternoon we will facilitate discussion groups with farmers, researchers, and practitioners
to share findings and experiences that can help you with your farming decision making.
Registration application will be sent February 10, 2023 so keep an eye out in your in box! OR send an email to express your interest
to [log in to unmask]
Keeping bees?
Have you wondered if beekeeping is right for you? Have you considered keeping honey bees to produce honey or increase pollination? Honey
bees can be awe-inspiring, but keeping them healthy takes a lot of learning and hard work.
Before you get started, find out what costs, time and effort are required. Learn what beekeepers do and where
they can go for resources and support.
Join the MI
Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference on Feb. 27, 2023, at 6 p.m. via Zoom for a live presentation by Ana
Heck, apiculture educator at Michigan
State University Extension, on how to get started with beekeeping. There is no cost to register, but pre-registration is
required.
READ NEXT: POLLINATOR SUPPORTIVE TREES AND SHRUBS
FOR FARM AND ORCHARD WINDBREAKS
Michigan is home to many species of bees and other pollinators. You don’t need to become a beekeeper to help take care of the bees.
This presentation will also cover pollinator diversity, issues that bees are facing, and what people can do to support pollinator health.
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https://www.miffs.org/mffc2023
Date of Event: Saturday, February 25, 2023
Location:
[log in to unmask],-85.683639,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x881774065735669b:0x6a54402b0849c818!8m2!3d42.2263148!4d-85.6814503" target="_blank">
Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Texas Township Campus)
[log in to unmask],-85.683639,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x881774065735669b:0x6a54402b0849c818!8m2!3d42.2263148!4d-85.6814503" target="_blank">6767
W O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Registration
is available here. If you would like to know more about the transportation options
offered by MIFFS to and from the conference, check out our transportation page
here.
This year the conference will offer an entire track on the Farm Bill including a round table discussion for farmers and those engaged
in our food systems (and who isn’t, we all eat!) Join the MIFFS community on February 24 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for a day of engaged learning and networking.
The Michigan Family Farms Conference is more than just a conference. Year after year, farmers, educators, and food system professionals gather
to network, learn, and share resources and experiences. We also come together to celebrate diversity, expand our knowledge of sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the supportive network of farmers that we know is essential for building resilient farms.
The Michigan Family Farms 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 featuring multiple tracks of breakout sessions plus a youth track to engage the whole family.
The 2023 MI Ag Ideas to Grow
The 2023 MI Ag Ideas to Grow conference will be held virtually, Feb. 27, to March 10, 2023.
This two-week program encompasses many aspects of the agricultural industry and offers a full array of educational sessions for farmers
and homeowners interested in food production and other agricultural endeavors.
While there is no cost to participate, attendees must register to receive the necessary Zoom links. Registrants can attend as many sessions
as they would like and are also able to jump around between tracks. RUP and CCA credits will be offered for several of the sessions.
More information can be found on the MI
Ag Ideas to Grow With webpage.
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2023 Farm Bill
Encourage congress to include climate change in the next Farm Bill!
Maybe? sign a letter as a farmer to encourage congress to include climate change in the new US Farm Bill.
Every 5 years there is a new Farm Bill developed by US Congress. This one is running a bit behind schedule, so your concerns are needed more than ever. You know when you are in a hurry you often
forget the most important things!
FACT (Food Animal Concerns Trust) encourages farmers to sign this letter if climate change is
Important to you and YOUR FARM! Please open this link and take a look to see if this is a letter you want to sign your name to.
Tell congress the next farm bill
needs to address climate change.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to virtually attend the fourth public meeting of the Federal Advisory
Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (Committee) on Feb. 23, 2023.
“Since last year, the Federal Advisory Committee has been a source of valuable, on the ground information and recommendations for USDA,” said Terry Cosby, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS), which houses USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). “This meeting will help us better serve urban and innovative producers and their communities.”
The Committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban and innovative agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Members include agricultural producers, and representatives from the areas of higher education
or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing. Three public meetings of the Committee were held in 2022.
About the Meeting
Topics include:
The meeting will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. ET on February 23. To attend virtually, register by February 23 on the
Committee’s webpage.
Written comments for the meeting must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 9 through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Docket #2022-24020.
For special accommodations, contact Markus Holliday at
[log in to unmask].
USDA will share the agenda between 24 to 48 hours prior to the meeting on
https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/federal-advisory-committee-urban-ag. Additionally, other resources include the
Federal Register notice and the
Committee’s webpage.
How the Farm Bill Included Urban Ag in 2018 and we anticipate it will again!
OUAIP was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture and innovative production. The Committee is part of a broader
USDA investment in urban and innovative agriculture. Other efforts include:
Learn more at
usda.gov/urban. For additional resources available to producers, download the
Urban Agriculture at a Glance brochure or visit
farmers.gov/urban.
New Market Opportunity
Farmers and food vendors, are you looking for a new market?
West Lansing Farmers Market is being developed and seeking vendors for this coming season!
Growers are invited to sell at the market that will be held every Saturday from 8-2 starting this season and run from May thru October.
The market will be held in the parking lot of a community church, Union Missionary Baptist Church at 500 MLK Rd, Lansing MI.
There is convenient and ample parking for vendors (like yourself?) and customers.
For information call Jane (517-231-2240) or John (773-398-7744) or email to
[log in to unmask]
This market is being sponsored by the Lansing Urban Farm Project
Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist and Beginning Farmer Educator
Dept of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University
+ 1-517-282-3557 (cell and What’s app)
Sorrone11 (skype)