I'm looking at a grant application from a 4-H goat leader with the stated aim of attracting more buyer interest in goat meat at the Fair auction in August. I'm looking for suggestions on how to link 4-H goat projects and the local food scene.
Learn how to grow fresh veggies year-round. The Michigan Land Use Institute will present a workshop on hoophouses on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Black Star Farms.
Check out today's article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle about Jen and Nic Welty, who put the "farm" in Black Star Farms. Interesting read on the business angle too, and its investment in young people and farm-to-table agriculture.
Stop by the Leland High School gym next Thursday to support local farmers and schools. Joining forces with MSU Extension, Leland Public Schools will hold its second annual Farmers Market on Sept. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. Showcasing fruits, veggies and other products from local farmers, the event is a great way to get to know what's growing on the peninsula, and introduce local farming to the kids. The event is open to the public, and all products are for sale. Call 231-256-9888 for more info.
Hagerty Insurance recently hosted a farm market run by area high school students as a part of a pilot youth entrepreneur program. In so doing, Hagerty not only supports the youth program, it also provides a health benefit to employees by making it easy to buy fresh veggies. Read more in Diane Conners post over at the Michigan Land Use Instititute.
In Programs Grow Local Food, New Farmers, Diane Conners writes about area programs that gets students involved in farming. Students in one such project are growing food at the community garden at the Grand Traverse Commons property. They then sell their produce at the farmers market and a restaurant on the same property, and will soon sell to low-income families who will receive discount coupons. Talk about a win win situation!
Glenn Puit reports on Pond Hill Farm's new Farming for Our Future program, which will offer five three-day "camps" for kids age 6 to 12 in July and August, as well as farm tours for kids and families. The farm is located just north of Harbor Springs on M-119.
Manistee Area Public Schools, Bear Lake School District, and Kaleva Norman Dickson School District will hold a pre-bid meeting for fresh fruits and vegetables on July 18, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of Manistee High School at 525 12th St. in Manistee, Michigan.
The Leelanau County Planning Commission recently recommended approval of an amendment to Bingham Township's zoning ordinance to make it easier for agricultural property owners to practice agritourism to attract visitors. The language expands the definition of agriculture to encourage activities previously not covered. The commission suggested the language was too narrowly focused on wineries and fruit growing operations, and suggested expanding it to include other agricultural businesses such as those that brew beer, make hard cider and grow flowers. Next up? The Bingham Township Board will consider adoption of the amendment at its next meeting on July 21.
Glen Lake Community Schools hired a trained chef last fall to create healthy, tasty meals from scratch, using as many locally grown products as possible. The number of kids eating lunch each day went from about 250 to 425. That's impressive and such a win-win situation for everyone involved. Suttons Bay is looking to do the same thing for its students, building on the fruit and vegetable snack program it started this year. Read more about the two schools' efforts in Keeping Up with the Jones, Tastefully by Diane Conners.
The Bingham Township Planning Commission is holding a public hearing tonight to present a new Agricultural Ordinance. The ordinance expands the definition of agriculture to include production practices and activities that until late have not been considered agriculture at all or have been allowed with restrictions. These items include such things as farm markets, roadside stands, nature trails, tree production, processing of produce on the farm, wineries and farm-based food service. The hearing is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Bingham Schoolhouse, 7171 S. Center Highway, Traverse City, in Leelanau County. All are welcome to attend and voice their opinion on the proposed ordinance.
Nikki Rothwell, Michigan State University District Extension Horticulturist and the Coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station, writes in today's Record-Eagle about the new Farm Bill and its affect on area specialty crop growers. For the first time, the Farm Bill mentions specialty crops, which are any agricultural crop that is not corn, wheat, soybeans, or cotton. That applies to the majority of farmers in this region, and this group of crops has not received direct subsidies.
Keep an eye out for the 2008 Taste the Local Difference food guide available for free at stores, visitor centers, libraries, farmers markets and other spots throughout eight northern Michigan counties. The guide lists nearly 250 farms and lots of local food and farm products available in northwest Michigan. Perfect to keep in your glovebox! Also check out the project website, which offers a PDF version of the guide to download, as well as a handy search feature where you can find specifically what you're looking for.
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