Thursday, November 4, 2010

Winter Composting


As we experience our first few days of hard frost here in Michigan I find myself making hearty dinners and doing lots of baking, the warmth of the kitchen calling me in from the garden. It's time to put the gardens to bed for the winter and sweep up all the fallen leaves, but what should we do with our compost piles? Having recently learned it can take more than 40 years for a carrot to decompose in a landfill, I've been personally motivated to continue composting my kitchen scraps straight through the winter. Since I've never done this before, I turned to the internet for a little advice. I was delighted to find so many resources out there and wanted to share one with you.

How to Do Things tells me, I can still compost without a heat source in the winter; it will just take a little longer for things to break down. Knowing how much my plants love the compost I make during the spring and summer, I'm delighted to make even more, and it's so easy! Click on the link above to see for yourself.

As we say goodbye to our sunny afternoons and gardening days, remember you don't have to say goodbye to your compost pile. Don't have a garden, no worries, you can still compost and share with your neighbors, friends and family. With just a little bit of extra effort we can compost our kitchen waste and keep the stuff that decomposes easily out of our landfills.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Markets are Open!


It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting the first signs of spring. Now, Farmers Markets are open all across the region and with each passing day the markets are filling up with all sorts of great, locally grown produce.
So what will you find this week?

Apples
Asparagus
Broccoli
Collard Greens
Garlic
Green Onions
Herbs
Kale
Micro Greens
Lettuces (Red, Green, Romaine)
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Swiss Chard
Zucchini

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Registration Open

Are you interested in local food work? Have you wondered how to start a new farm business or how to grow your farm to school project? Would you like to meet more people working in the local food movement and network? Here's your chance to do all this and more!

5th Annual FSEP Conference
June 24, 2010
Jackson Career Center

View conference brochure and Register today at http://www.fsepmichigan.org/

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Volunteer Opportunity

Paradise Farms and Dahlem Eco Farm in Jackson County are looking for volunteers to help put up their new passive solar hoophouse. Join in on the fun on Tuesday, May 18th from 9am - 5pm (or later). Lunch will be provided for volunteers. Contact Lisa Brown at gardenchick78@yahoo.com for more information and to RSVP.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Marketing to Schools Guide Now Available

The Marketing Michigan Products To Schools: A Step-by-Step Guide for farmers is now available from Michigan Farm to School. Visit: www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu/index.php?q=marketing-guide to download your free copy today!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Register Today!

Just a reminder that the last day to register for the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference at the reduced rate is Friday, March 26th. Go to: www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org to register today!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Upcoming Workshop

The Taylor Conservatory Foundation, Taylor Garden Club and Wayne County Community College District present:

Growing Great Gardens
Saturday, March 20
Registration: $30

Speakers include: Iris Lee Underwood, Yule Love It Lavender Farm
George Papadelis, Telly's Greenhouse

For more information go to: www.taylorgardenclub.org

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Upcoming Workshop Opportunity

Please join us for: GROWING FOR LOCAL MARKETS - a workshop for farmers in Southeast Michigan. Monday, March 8th at 10am - Adrian Public Library, 143 E. Maumee St., Adrian, Michigan. Call (734) 222.3817 to register or for more information.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Food Safety from Farm to Plate

Choices 2010 is holding a conference on March 10-11, 2010 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. This year's conference theme is Collaboration: There's Room at the Table. This annual conference is known for its idea of being the “conference that celebrates food, health and collaboration.”

On Thursday, March 11th one of the breakout sessions is Food Safety from Farm to Plate. This presentation will be lead by Jan Sietz, Eileen Haraminac, and Phillip Tocco from MSU Extension. All three presenters have a strong background in nutrition and agriculture and hope to educate workshop members in food safety.
Participants will learn to
"explain the importance of purchasing food from reputable supplier, define the HACCP food safety process and describe when HACCP is to be followed by food processors, and list procedures consumers need to follow to ensure and maintain the safety of foods purchased."

This conference is a great opportunity for anyone to come and learn about current food issues. This workshop too is highly recommended. For more information about registration or any other questions, please visit the Choices Conference website at:
http://web7.anr.msu.edu/choices/Home.aspx



Monday, February 1, 2010

2010 MSU Student Organic Farm Workshops and Tours

Come check out MSU's Organic Farm located at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (3291 College Rd, Holt, MI 48842) during one of several tours open to farmers and the general public.

These tours are being held:
Monday, March 15 3-4:30pm
Tuesday, April 20 2:30-4pm
Monday, May 10 3-4:30pm
Friday, June 18 10-11:30am
Monday, July 19 6-7:30pm
Monday, August 9 6-7:30pm
Tuesday, September 14 3-4:30pm

Workshops focusing on year-round production and marketing opportunities are also being held. These have limited space are reserved for commercial farmers.

Workshop dates include:
Thursday, June 24 9:30am-4pm
Monday, September 27 9:30am-4pm

Both tours and workshops are free of cost! But registration is required. To register contact Adam Montri at admontri@msu.edu or 517-355-5191 X1407.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Setting the Table for Wellness: A Regional Conference for schools, camps, parents, students, and farms

Farm to School presents: Setting the Table for Wellness

When: March 15, 2010

Where: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, Michigan

Setting the Table for Wellness is an upcoming conference for school employees, students, farmers, parents and active community members looking for an opportunity to learn the best ways to bring fresh, local foods into cafeterias and unite local food and farms into wellness policies. This is a great chance for anyone interested in the health of community children and the local economy. Food Service Directors, school and camp cooks, school board members, teachers, administrators, parents, PTO members, fundraiser groups, students, school nurses, after-school coordinators, health advocates, food businesses, farmers, garden resource organizations, and funders can all come together to discuss and brainstorm more great ideas to promote wellness into our schools! Some topics of discussion include a new, national online toolbox, how to source local foods through a distributor, fresh food preparation, food and farm classroom ideas, and so much more! Scholarships available for districts who bring a full “team” to the conference.

For more information visit: localdifference.org/farmtoschool

Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear about Farm to School real-life examples, tools for success, networking opportunities, wellness policy assistance, and of course, fabulous local food!