|
Advanced Grazing School - February 24-25, 2022
Registration Deadline: February 20, 2022
Brimley, MI - Michigan State University Extension will be conducting an Advanced Grazing School February 24, and 25, 2022, at Waishkey Bay Farm, 10135 W. Mills Rd, Brimley, MI 49715. This workshop is for graziers that have multiple years of experience, use a system of rotational grazing, and want to further enhance the outcomes of their grazing efforts. The emphasis of this workshop will not be on the right thing to do, but on the ideas and information a producer can use to further their grazing program. The cost will be $150/person if signed up by February 20, 2022. Group discounts will be given to farms bringing more than one participant, cost for group participants is $130/person. The program is limited to 30 people, and they encourage farms to bring two people for group work. Registration deadline is February 20, 2022.
Register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/advancedgrazingschool2022. For more information contact Kable Thurlow at 998-426-7741 or thurlowk@msu.edu or Frank Wardynski at 906-884-4386 or wardynsk@msu.edu.
|
|
|
2022 U.P. Master Gardener Association Membership Dues
Deadline: March 1, 2022
It is time to renew your membership. The Association is planning a delayed start to their programs this year because of the increase in Covid cases. They are looking to schedule a March event if everything goes well. There is a deadline this year of March 1st to get your $25.00 membership fee in. Please mail your checks to: Linda Andriacchi, 1500 Aspen Drive, Ishpeming, Michigan 49849.
Note: The U.P. Master Gardener Association is affiliated with the Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener Program. For information on becoming an extension master gardener contact Rebecca Krans, kransr@msu.edu.
|
|
|
The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in §112.22(c) that requires, "At least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration."
This one day course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. The course Fee is $50 for Michigan residents and $85 for non-Michigan residents. Click here to register.
Remote Dates:
March 8, 2022 – Remote Training via Zoom
March 22, 2022 – Remote Training via Zoom
April 12, 2022 – Remote Training via Zoom
April 26, 2022 – Remote Training via Zoom
|
|
|
MSU Extension to Host Agriculture for Tomorrow Conference
March 9, 2022 9:15 a.m. - 4:05 p.m. Bay de Noc Community College Main Campus Joseph Heirman University Center
Michigan State University Extension is hosting the 15th annual Agriculture for Tomorrow Conference on March 9, 2022, at Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan, to help Upper Peninsula farmers and homesteaders stay informed, up to date and profitable.
The conference will open with a keynote address from Abbey Palmer of MSU Extension and Lori Wardynski, agriculture instructor with Ontonagon/Gogebic Intermediate School District. The keynote address will focus on the recent growth of agriculture education in Upper Peninsula K-12 schools. Click for more information and to register.
|
|
|
Monthly Webinars on Rural Grocery Succession Planning
Webinar 2 - February 17, 2022: Business Valuation 101
The Rural Grocery Initiative at Kansas State University is hosting a series of free webinars on business transition. This monthly series is aimed at grocers, prospective grocers, resource providers, and community stakeholders who care about retaining and supporting rural grocery. Creating a transition plan helps ensure the grocery store continues operating, even after the owner exits the business, which is crucial in rural communities, where grocery stores are anchor institutions. Webinars will be held every third Thursday at 2:30 PM Eastern, 1:30 PM Central. Register here. To learn more, visit www.ruralgrocery.org.
|
|
|
MDARD Announces Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Opportunity
Proposals due by 3 p.m., March 24, 2022
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is now accepting applications for its latest round of value-added grants. The Value-Added and Regional Food Systems Grant Program is designed to help retain, expand, attract, or develop agricultural processing in Michigan through targeted investments in technology and equipment, feasibility studies, healthy food access, regional food systems and urban agriculture. Grant proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. (EST) on March 24, 2022.
The maximum grant award eligible is $100,000 per proposal. Each project will require a minimum 30 percent match. The value-added proposals will be evaluated through a competitive selection process. Applications for grant funds will be asked to outline how the project will impact and produce measurable outcomes for Michigan’s food and agriculture industry. Those interested in applying should visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants to view the application and grant guidelines.
|
|
|
Saturday, March 26th, 2022 - Details to Follow
Peter White Public Library, Lower Level in the MACC.
|
|
USDA Grant Opportunities
Other Grant Opportunities
|
|
Intern Positions and Farm Manager - Partridge Creek Farm, Ishpeming, MI
Partridge Creek Farm is a 501(c)3 educational farm in Ishpeming, Michigan with a mission of building a healthy, prosperous and empowered local community through food and wellness education. Over the past few years we have developed a robust internship program with the help of many inspiring young people. Here are the 2022 intern roles, please consider applying if you have an interest in a career in non-profits, community development, or regenerative agriculture. Additionally, Partridge Creek Farm, in partnership with Ishpeming School District No.1, is building a downtown Intergenerational Farm and farm-to-school program and we are seeking a farm manager to help guide the farm planning, curriculum writing and eventually oversee the farm operations. Here is the role description. Please reach out to May with any questions, may@partridgecreekfarm.org.
Farmer - Delta Garden Farm, Garden MI
Seeking an experienced farmer to help with cattle operation and grain crops on an 800+ acre farm in Garden, Michigan on the Upper Peninsula. Now accepting applications. Farmer is responsible for daily care, health, and over all well-being of cattle and will have experience in hay or grain production. Applicants should have the ability to lift up to 50lbs, able to operate various farm equipment, and provide basic repair and maintenance. Compensation is competitive based on experience. Housing is available for this position. Please forward a summary of your current skills and relevant work history to deltagardenfarm@gmail.com or contact us at 773-929-6007. Please also include a contact number so we can call you to discuss the opportunity further.
Multiple Positions - Seeds & Spores Family Farm, Chocolay, MI
Seeds and Spores Family Farm is located in Chocolay Township, twelve miles south of Marquette. Our diverse "beyond organic" farm is home to eleven hoop houses, five acres of produce, perennial fruits, medicinal herbs, hemp, and pasture raised livestock. We are in the process of assembling our farm crew for the 2022 season. There are three or four open positions, one of which includes running our pack shed on harvest/wash/pack days. All positions include working as a team under the guidance of experienced farm managers. The preferred commitment is full time between May 1st and October 31st, and all crew members must be able to preform manual labor in all types of weather. Prior agricultural experience is favorable. If you are interested in learning more, please send a note and resume to seedsandspores@gmail.com.
Farm Manager Position - Lake Effect Farm, Copper Harbor, MI
Lake Effect Farm is tucked in and around Trails End Campground in Copper Harbor MI. They transitioned the farm from a community garden to a production farm in Spring of 2021. They are looking to complete infrastructure in 2022, and move into winter production. They are looking for someone to grow with them as they build this farm.
The Farm Manager at Lake Effect Farm is primarily responsible for the day to day operations of the farm. The Farm Manager works closely with the Field crew and the owners to ensure that the farm is profitable through organic vegetable production, sales, and tours and event management. The manager will be responsible for managing, planning and overseeing the success of this farm. This ranges from field preparation through quality harvest and product delivery and sales. If you're a person that thrives in the outdoors, has high regard for good food, enjoys physical activity, finds problem solving exciting, loves people and is a natural leader plus enjoys getting your hands dirty; this job might be for you. Click here to learn more and to apply.
Institute of Agricultural Technologies Program Coordinator - Bay College
Application Deadline: July 23, 2023
IAT Programs Coordinator – This position will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the IAT and other feeder programs located at Bay College. Visit the Institute of Agricultural Technology at www.iat.msu.edu for program information. The position provides leadership for the IAT programs located at Bay Community College. The current program offering is Agricultural Operations. Responsibilities include:(1) counseling and advising students; (2) student recruitment, and internship placement and monitoring; (3) teaching courses in career development, leadership, communications, internship and other courses in the candidates area of expertise and/or as needed by the program; (4) fostering a working relationship with the agricultural industry, high school counselors and teachers, and diverse communities in the service district of Bay Community College; (5) evaluation of the programs and curriculum; (6) working closely with appropriate Departments for program delivery and development, and (7) assisting the with the exploration and development of new off-campus programs in partnership with Bay Community College. To find out more information and to apply, click here.
FOR SALE: Simmental Bulls, mature and young, registered and non-registered. Call Duane Kolpack (906) 362-6862.
FOR SALE: 2nd and 3rd crop alfalfa, small square bales. Marenger Potato Farm, Flat Rock. (906) 384-6587.
FOR SALE: Hay, large square bales 3x3x7.75 Timothy grass, 4,000 to sell. Former dairy farm doing all big square bales hay. Call Dave Bell in the EUP 906-440-6455 or email Bellsdairy@yahoo.com. Also a realtor in the UP so contact me for real estate here, Dave@smith-company.com.
Beautiful property in the Upper Michigan, 130 acres In Perkins for sale or pasture for rent for livestock for the 2021 season. Beautiful river running through it. Great for hunting, building or developing, or simple grazing livestock. Land is divided into 9 paddocks with high tensile electric fence and 5 stock watering ponds. Call (906) 359-4825.
FARM FOR SALE: Upper Peninsula Farm with over 1,100 acres, water access, maple syrup production, and much more! Contact Henry DeGroot (906) 238-4251, hjdegroot@alphacomm.net. Upper Peninsula Farm For Sale | Wells Township | Shady Lane Farms (wixsite.com).
Have something to list? Email your listing to ehopp@marquettefood.coop and Eli will add it to the next edition!
|
|
|
Celebrating Black History Month with Food
Taste the Local Difference Blog
Good food brings people together. From recipes to gardening practices passed down through generations, our food tells a story. Unfortunately, not all stories are good ones. The foundation of our food system is rooted in the exploitation of enslaved people forced to work on stolen Indigenous land. Despite emancipation, discriminatory land policies drastically impacted land access for Black farmers. Today, fewer than 2% of all farms in the United States are Black-owned. Click here to read the full article.
|
|
More to read...
Check out the U.P. Food Exchange's website here.
Check out the UPFE Online Marketplace for institutional purchasers here.
Check out Michigan's Conservation Districts website here.
Check out the Western U.P. Food System Council's website here.
Check out the Michigan's On-Farm Produce Safety website here.
Check out the Taste the Local Difference newsletter here.
Check out the MSU UP Research & Extension Center monthly newsletter here.
Check out Marquette Food Co-op's newsletter here.
Regional Email Listserv for Western UP Growers and Food Provisioners
This is a peer-to-peer listserv open to posts about to all things about growing and sharing food in our region. More information about it can be found here.
|
|
|
|
|