15 Dec 2011    NRCS Announces FY 2012 CSP Sign Up INFORMATION ALERT 2012 Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up On Friday, December 9, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that the fiscal year (FY) 2012 ranking period cutoff for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is January 13, 2012. Interested farmers and ranchers have until January 13, 2012, to complete the initial application form to compete for a spot in the 2012 enrollment class for the program. To sign up, producers should visit their NRCS local service center.   10 Dec 2011    Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association's (OEFFA) 33rd Annual Conference Ohio’s Largest Sustainable Food and Farm Conference: Online Registration Now Open Press Release Granville, Ohio—Registration is now open for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) 33rd annual conference, Sowing the Seeds of Our Food Sovereignty, February 18-19, 2012 in Granville, Ohio (Licking County). The state’s largest sustainable food and farm conference, the event draws more than 1,000 attendees from across Ohio and the Midwest, and has sold out in advance the past two years. This year’s conference will feature keynote speakers Woody Tasch and Andrew Kimbrell; more than 70 informative, hands-on workshops; two featured pre-conference events on February 17; a trade show; a fun and educational kids’ conference and child care area; locally-sourced and organic homemade meals, and Saturday evening entertainment.   1 Nov 2011    Project GREEEN Priorities These are the priorities that MOFFA has identified to guide MSU researchers with priorities of research and outreach to best help Michigan’s organic farmers. MSU researchers refer to this list of priorities developed by various commodity teams and non-profit groups serving farmers, such as MOFFA, when they are seeking funds through Project GREEEN (see www.greeen.msu.edu) to fund research that is in line with needs of Michigan’s agriculture industry. Below are the priorities identified by MOFFA. The board worked to develop priorities that are practical and timely. These can be changed annually if needed so please share your ideas of what are priorities to develop better understand of organic agriculture systems.   20 Oct 2011    2011 Eastern Upper Peninsula Local Foods Summit This event is a result of several meetings held earlier this year and some of the feedback we got as a result of the survey done in the Eastern UP and the UP Ag Assessment. Join us to further the discussion about how to address local food issues in the region.   18 Oct 2011    Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Accepting Applications for State Pesticide Notification and Organic Farm Registries The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division (PPPMD) annually publishes two registries intended to protect Michigan citizens -- the Pesticide Notification Registry and the Certified Organic Farm Registry. The Pesticide Notification Registry allows persons with a physician-diagnosed condition to be notified by commercial pesticide application firms before applications are made on turf or ornamental plants on properties adjacent to their primary residence.  To be added to the Pesticide Notification Registry, an applicant must submit the Pesticide Application Notification Registry application, Physician’s Certification form indicating the applicant’s condition and any additional distance requirements for notification, and Additional Properties Listing form showing adjacent and other properties within the distance of notification.   10 Oct 2011    Concerned about GMOs or GEOs?* According to the Organic Center, "GE (genetically engineered)crops have been responsible for an increase of 383 million pounds of herbicide use in the U.S. over the first 13 years of commercial use of GE crops (1996-2008)."   4 Oct 2011    Michigan Small Farms Conference Announced The 13th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Grayling High School, Grayling MI.  The theme is Growing a Food and Farming Legacy.  Keynote will be a tribute presentation of Chris Bedford's last film "Getting Real about Food and the Future" with commentary by Stephanie Mills.  Chris was a documentary film maker, advocate of organic food, supporter of local foods in schools and co-founder of Sweetwater Local Foods Market in Muskegon.  For more information go to www.smallfarmconference.com, northmichsmallfarmconf@gmail.com or call 231-838-8093.   16 Sep 2011    Organic Farming is Superior to Conventional Agriculture According to 30-Year Comparative Study Rodale Institute today announces the latest results of the Farming Systems Trial, America’s longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming practices. Originally created to study the transition from conventional to organic production, this 30-year study also examined productivity, soil quality, energy and economics. “The next step forward is to educate growers, whether they are conventional or organic, in the methods used in the Farming Systems Trial to assure equal or better yields through farming practices that do not harm the environment.” Key findings show: Organic yields match or surpass conventional yields. Organic yields outperform conventional yields in years of drought. Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system. Organic farming uses 45 percent less energy and is more efficient. Conventional agricultural systems produce 40 percent more greenhouse gases. Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional farming systems.   1 Sep 2011    MOFFA Welcomes New Office Administrator MOFFA recently welcomed, Kay Tremble, as our new Office Administrator. Kay is a skilled Administrative Assistant with more than twelve years of experience and a continued desire to learn and grow both professionally and personally. Kay is a dedicated member of her childrens' school district as well as an active member in her community. She is excited to begin this partnership with MOFFA and grow her knowledge in organic foods & farming to make a better life and enviornment in which she and her husband can raise their four children.   9 Aug 2011    2011 Organic Cost Share! The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is pleased to announce that certification cost share assistance will be available to eligible Michigan organic handlers and producers for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. The program is offered on behalf of the USDA National Organic Cost Share Program which is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill.   The application for cost share reimbursement as well as instructions on how to register as a vendor for the State of Michigan can be downloaded here.   1 Aug 2011    Field Day at AlMar Orchards OTFA Field Day at Al-Mar Orchard in Flushing MI Saturday, August 6th, 9:00AM to 5:00PM Catch up with OTFA charter member Jim Koan and his son Jake Koan at the AlMar Orchard Field Day. Jim and Jake will be on hand to share their insights into the art of growing organic apples under always unpredictable Midwestern growing conditions. Organic researchers from MSU will also be present to share some of the ongoing projects happening at AlMar. Topics to be discussed will range from on-farm production of heritage and "organic friendly" apple tree varieties to novel approaches to organic pest and weed management. Be sure to reserve your spot today so you don't miss out on this fun and informative day!   Cost is $20 per person (includes lunch). Registrants can pay when they arrive. Please register by Tuesday, Aug 2, by contacting OTFAinfo@gmail.com or 715-808-0060 The address for GPS or Mapquest searches is: 1431 Duffield R, Flushing, MI 48433   31 Jul 2011    Certification Cost Share Assistance The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is pleased to announce that certification cost share assistance will be available to eligible Michigan organic handlers and producers for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.   21 Jul 2011    MOFFA Seeks Office Administrator Moffa is solicitng applications for a part time office administrator. A summary of the position responsibilities and instructions for application can be downloaded here.   21 Jul 2011    MIFMA's On-Farm Food Safety Field Days Register today for MIFMA's On-Farm Food Safety Field Days. The Michigan Farmers Market Association with funding from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will  be hosting three on-farm field days this summer for Michigan farmers, market managers and market stakeholders to discuss how to ensure food safety on the farm from production to the market.   21 Jul 2011    2011 Good Food Awards The Good Food Awards launches its second year with a call for entries to American food producers crafting the nation’s best tasty, authentic, and responsible foods. All entered products will be judged at a blind tasting with Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl, Amanda Hesser, Nell Newman and 80 other food movement leaders. Deadline for entry is September 1, so enter online today at www.goodfoodawards.org!   7 Jun 2011    Michigan Cider Maker's Guild Summer Event “Value-added Packaging for Michigan Cider:   Is there Intelligent Life – and Profit – beyond Plastic Jugs?”   24 May 2011    Opportunity to Weigh in on the Farm Bill! It's not every day, or even every year, that you have the opportunity to participate in the formulation of federal legislation that determines the direction of agriculture in the United States. Every 5 years, Congress takes up the Farm Bill, and the time for the 2012 Farm Bill debate has come. In Michigan you have a unique opportunity to influence the Farm Bill's potential to support organic agriculture because the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee is your own Senator Debbie Stabenow.   11 May 2011    Classes on Cottage Food Industry The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan, Ingham County MSU Extension, The Ingham County Land Bank and Eric Schertzing, Ingham County Treasurer are offering a series of classes called, “How to Start a Small-Scale Food Business: An Entrepreneurial Opportunity for Residents of the Lansing Tri-County Region.” MOFFA supported the cottage food bill with MOFFA boardmember Chris Bardenhagen providing testimony during the recent vote in Lansing.   5 May 2011    OFRF Grants Santa Cruz, CA (May 3, 2011) –The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is proud to announce it has awarded 314 grants totaling close to $2.7 million as it begins its 21st year. Next deadline for applications is May 16   5 May 2011    OFRF to Hire an Upper Midwest Field Organizer OFRF seeks to hire an experienced organizer to work on the ground in Michigan and Ohio to organize support for organic and cultivate congressional champions in the 2012 Farm Bill.   OFRF has identified Michigan and Ohio as two top states with significant representation on congressional agriculture committees charged with drafting the 2012 Farm Bill. The Upper Midwest Field Organizer ensures that organic family farmers, organic farming advocates, consumers, and other diverse stakeholders in Michigan and Ohio actively participate in the 2012 Farm Bill process.  OFRF is gearing up for its 2012 Farm Bill campaign, and the Upper Midwest Field Organizer will be responsible for building our Michigan and Ohio networks and strategically engaging organic family farmers and advocates throughout the farm bill debate.   22 Apr 2011    New farmers’ market to open on Kalamazoo’s Northside The Douglass Community Association and Fair Food Matters are collaborating to bring a new farmers’ market to Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood. The Douglass Farmers’ Market will be located at the Douglass Community Association at 1000 West Paterson Street. The market will be open to the public from 3-7 p.m. on May 24, June 28, July 26 and August 23 (the fourth Tuesday of each month). Market Master Erica Barajas, of Fair Food Matters, said the market has two initial goals: To help increase access to fresh, locally grown produce in the north and east side neighborhoods; and to create an enjoyable, safe community event that brings people together. The market is currently seeking vendors who produce and sell vegetables, fruits, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, flowers, seeds or crafts. Applications are due Wednesday, May 4.   11 Apr 2011    USDA Offers Second Round of Conservation Funding for Organic Producers LANSING, April 11, 2011 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering organic producers another opportunity to receive financial assistance for implementing new conservation measures. The USDA will conduct a second round of 2011 Organic Initiative funding for producers who submit applications by May 20, 2011.   1 Mar 2011    2011 MOC Session Descriptions The 2011 MOC session desciptions have been released! Download them here!   19 Feb 2011    2011 MOC Schedule! MOFFA is please to provide the program schedule for the 2011 MOC "Keeping the Local in Organic" Download the schedule here. Dowload the Firday event flyer here. Hope to see you there!   8 Feb 2011    2011 Michigan Organic Scholarship MOFFA is pleased to announce that we will be offering student scholarships for the 2011 Michigan Organic Conference. There are two levels of scholarship this year: Full ($50 value) which requires the recepient to donate 1/2 a day of volunteer labor at the conference Half ($25 value) which requires the recepient to pay the remaining portion of the  student registration ($25) Eligibility: Any full time student enrolled in highschool, technical program, or university program. To Apply: Please send an email to moffaorganic@gmail.com with : "2011 Michigan Organic Scholarship" in the subject line. Please include your: full name, address, phone, email and school affiliation in the email body. Please indicate which scholarship (half or whole) you are applying for. Applications must be received by Friday Feb 25 to be considered. The 2011 MOC student scholarships are made available by a generous donation from George and Anne Bird.   30 Dec 2010    Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People II The Greater Lansing Food Bank has announced a local food's conference to be held on February 17, 2011. The conference is titled "Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People, II.”This is their second conference meant to bring folks involved and interested in our local food systems to discuss how we might strengthen and enhance it for everyone – from farm to table. Last year’s conference had nearly 150 attendees representing food pantries, growers, policy makers, retailers, institutional kitchens and wholesalers. We want to continue and expand the conversations and the circle and would relish your involvement.   13 Dec 2010    2011 MOC Announced! The 2011 Michigan Organic Conference "Keeping the Local in Organic" will be held at the Kellogg Convention Center located on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing MI. The conference will be held between March 4 and 5 and will include: a keynote speaker, educational sessions, an organic luncheon, and the popular "Taste of Michigan" event. Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute will be our keynote speaker.   12 Oct 2010    MSU Student Organic Farm Seeking Applicants for 2011 Organic Farmer Training Program The Organic Farmer Training Program was developed to address the increasing need for small- scale organic growers. Individuals who wish to use local food systems to promote sustainability are good candidates for this program, including: New and Beginning Farmers, Urban and Community Farmers and Gardeners, Educators, Those Interested in Sustainable Agriculture.   12 Oct 2010    MSU to Offer Vegetable 201 Training! This one day workshop to be held on November 4, 2010 in Kalamazoo MI, provides insights from MSU extension educators and specialists with expertise in commercial vegetable production and management. The workshyop is intended for those who have some experience with vegetable gardening and have explored or considered turning it into a commercial venture, or for those who would like to add a vegetable enterprise to an exisitn gfarm business. This program will provide a general overview of commercial vegetable production and resources to help you succeed. Spanish translation will be provided. Traduccion al espanol se.   10 Sep 2010    MOFFA 2010 Annual Meeting The 2010 MOFFA annual meeting will be held at Whetham Farms in Flushing MI on Sunday Septemebr 12 from 1-4PM. The farm is located at 11230 W. Mt Morris Rd, Flushing MI. North of I-69 on M-13 (exit 123) about 10 miles, then east on Mt Morris Rd for 1 & 1/2 miles. Or west of I-75 from the Mt Morris Rd exit (#126) almost 7 miles. The farm is on the north side of the road between Nichols and Duffield Rds. The house number is on the dead tree next to the driveway - there is no sign announcing the farm. Please click this link for a google map of the farm.   19 Aug 2010    Organic Cost Share Application Extended to September 15! The Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance (MOFFA) is will manage the 2010 organic cost share progra, allowing our state’s organic farmers to be partially reimburseed forf their organic certification costs. Download the necessary forms here. You will need a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat to view this file. Cost share applications must be received by MOFFA no later than September 15, 2010.   11 Aug 2010    MOFFA in Action! With the organically grown, downy reddish peach close to her nose, Shelby Township resident Nancy Rich draws in the intoxicatingly fresh scent during her shopping trip to Whole Foods in Rochester Hills. “I have Crohn’s disease and I’ve found when I don’t have all those chemicals in my body (from conventionally grown foods) I feel much better. The food tastes much better, too,” Rich said. “It’s a little more expensive to shop organic, but your life is important.” The organic food market continues holding a strong presence with consumers, as 75 percent claim to use organic foods, according to a national survey published in 2010 by The Hartman Group, a predominant consumer-culture consultancy and market research firm.   See original article in the Morning Sun Here.   11 Aug 2010    Building Health from the Ground Up BUILDING HEALTH FROM THE GROUND UP Many organic farmers are looking for ways to build soil quality that would provide better yields. Morgan Composting Inc is teaming with Michigan State University to present a program like no other. This two day event, August 18th and 19th will be taking place to give farms answers to many soil, pest, and production questions. Download a brochure here.   23 Jul 2010    MOFFA to Facilitate Organic Cost Share Program! Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance to Facilitate Organic Cost Share Program in Michigan The 2008 Farm Bill included a cost- share program for certified organic farmers. For 2009, this program was offered to organic producers in Michigan through the Michigan Department of Agriculture. This year, due to budget constraints, the MDA is not able to offer this program, even though the funds are from the USDA. They have, however,  entered into an agreement that will allow Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance (MOFFA) to manage the program, allowing our state’s organic farmers to again get the cost share to reimburse part of their organic certification costs.   22 Jul 2010    July MOFFA Meeting MichiganOrganic Food and Farm Alliance July Meeting DATE:                    Thursday, July 29, 2010      TIME:                    12:00 – 4:00 PM PLACE:MSU Crop and Soils Research and Teaching Farm, Beaumont Road just south of Mt. Hope   21 Jul 2010    Cottage Food Bill Signed into Law! This week, Governor Granholm signed a package of bills into law that will allow certain homemade products (such as baked goods, jam, honey, vinegar, and maple syrup, granola, and popcorn) to be sold directly to Michigan consumers without the legal requirement that they be prepared in commercial kitchens. The intent of the law is to support farmers’ markets by allowing certain value-added products to be sold without the expense and trouble of preparing them in a licensed commercial kitchen. Only direct sales to consumers are permitted; no mail order sales or sales to grocery stores are allowed. The law takes effect immediately.   18 Jun 2010    2010 Conservation Stewardship Program If you are considering enrolling in the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in 2010, be sure to submit the basic 3-page application to your local NRCS office no later than Friday, June 25, 2010. This deadline was extended from the original deadline of June 11.   16 Jun 2010    Flint "Taste of the Market" this Weekend TASTE of the MARKET this WEEK-END! Recipes will include: Greek, Italian and American Turkey Burgers, Spring Rolls, Cheese Fondue, Organic Cranberry and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast In the Big Top Tent on the Citizens Bank side of the Flint Farmers' Market from 11AM-2PM - Awesome Cooking Demos - Lots of Great Recipes - Tons of Helpful Tips - A Chance to Meet the Chefs.  Bring the KIDS! Kids will enjoy their own hands-on Taste of the Market - they can learn to make easy healthy snacks to have at home this summer!   8 Jun 2010    Organic Blueberry Session to Be featured at the 2010 NABREW Meeting Come to beautiful west Michigan this summer to hear the latest advances in blueberry breeding, blueberry production, and blueberry crop protection. A two day program full of talks and posters is planned  in downtown Kalamazoo. There is something for everyone, including sessions on the state-of-the-science of organic blueberry production and blueberry genomics, with talks by the leaders in these fields. The tentative program is available on line.   6 Jun 2010    Save the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program! A bill was introduced 05/19/2010 to kill the USDA NOP organic cost share program. This program has been an important factor in helping many farmers choose to go organic by supporting them in the difficult "transition" years. Liana Hoodes of the National Organic Campaign is asking for anecdotal stories of how important cost share is to farmers.  How that little amount of money made a big difference.  This information will be used in support of the certification cost share program.  Please forward to Liana at Liana@NationalOrganicCoalition.or Download thsi  NOP document to learn more about the the cost share program.  I know that with the recent proposal to cut this program, there has been a lot of talk about it.  This might be useful for the US Chapters:         4 Jun 2010    Organic Tree Fruit Field Day to be held June 19th in Berrien Center, Michigan Beginning as well as advanced tree fruit growers benefit from seeing organic management practices during the  growing season. The Organic Tree Fruit Association will sponsor its first field day of the summer on Saturday, June 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Earth First Farms, owned and operated by the Rosenfeld family in Berrien Center, MI. Find location at www.earthfirstfarms.com    11 May 2010    Don't Panic, Go Organic Don't Panic, Go Organic (visit Foreign Policy for original article) Be not troubled by Robert Paarlberg's scaremongering. Organic practices can feed the world -- better, in fact, than wasteful industrial farming.   3 Mar 2010    INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL POLLAN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL POLLAN Michael Pollan will be at Zingerman's Road House in Ann Arbor on Sunday, April 11, 2010 for a private reception at 5:30pm and a public "conversation" at 6pm. Seats are limited to 20 for the private reception and 100 for the conversation. Local organic food will be prepared by chef Alex Young.   8 Feb 2010    Student Scholarships for 2010 MOC!   For 2010 we are able to offer 20 scholarships for the $50 student registration.  We are accepting applications from community college and university students, recent graduates (within the last 3 years), participants in the MSU-Student Organic Farm Organic Farmer Training Program and members of the Michigan Young Farmers Coalition. To apply please fill out the scholarship application, complete it and mail or electronically submit it by February 21. The scholarship program is made possible by the generous support of George and Anne Bird.    3 Feb 2010    MOFFA Food Processing Trailer Request for Applications MOFFA requests proposals from individuals, organizations, or groups to use the MOFFA Mobile Food Processing Unit for organic processing that includes education, outreach, and community development efforts that promote local and organic food. These efforts may involve, but are not limited to, small farm development, demonstrations, and learning opportunities related to food preparation and processing, promotion and growth of local markets, and other innovative projects that serve Michigan farmers and consumers. Partnership applications are encouraged. Download the proposal request for applications for more details.   31 Jan 2010    2010 Michigan Organic Conference Schedule Announced! The Michigan Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA) will sponsor the Michigan Organic Conference on March 5 and 6 at the Kellogg Convention and Hotel Center located on the Michigan State University Campus in East Lansing MI. This Year's conference is titled Michigan Organic: Seeds, Soil, and Health and features keynote addresses fromJeffrey Smith from the Insititute of Responsible Technology and C.R. Lawn of Fedco Seeds and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). The conference will also include educational sessions, and organic luncheon, exhibits and the popular "Taste of Michigan" event.The conference is dedicated in memory of long time MOFFA board members and Michigan organic activists Doug Murray and Nancy Jones-Keiser. Download  a conference flyer, conference schedule or conference registration form. Please visit our online registration page and confernece sponsor page for more information.   17 Jan 2010    Stop Genetically Engineered Alfalfa USDA just released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on GE alfalfa and  NOW is your chance to demand that USDA protect organic food from GE contamination. Click on this link to register your dissent!   27 Oct 2009    Vilsack Mistakenly Pitched "GMOs-Feed-The-World" to an Audience of Experts--Oops Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was getting lots of appreciative applause and head nods from the packed hall at the Community Food Security Coalition conference today, held in Des Moines, Iowa. He described the USDA's plans to improve school nutrition, support local food systems, and work with the Justice Department to review the impact of corporate agribusiness on small farmers. But then, with time for only one more question, I was handed the microphone. "Mr. Secretary, may I ask a tough question on GMOs?"......   22 Oct 2009    2010 Michigan Organic Conference The 2010 Michigan Organic Conference "Michigan Organic: Seeds, Soil and Health" will be held at the Kellogg Convention Center located on the Michigan State University campus in East Lanisng MI. The conference will be held between March 5 and 6 and will consist of a series of keynote speakers, educational sessions, and organic luncheon, and the popular "Taste of Michigan" event. Keynote speakers for this year's conference are: Jeffrey Smith from the Insititute of Responsible Technology and J.R. Lawn of Fedco Seeds and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). This years conference is dedicated in memory of long time MOFFA board members and Michigan organic activists Doug Murray and Nancy Jones-Keiser . Please check back for more information.   14 Oct 2009    Passing of Nancy Jones-Keiser Longtime MOFFA Board Member, Organic Acitivist, Educator, and Farmer JONES-KEISER - Nancy W. Jones-Keiser was born in Bucks County, PA in 1947 on a cattle farmand passed away on September 28 2009. A birthright Quaker, she was raised by her father and grandmother, after her mother passed on when Nancy was 1 1/2. This shaped her life in many ways. She handled farm and gardening tools, cared for farm animals and garden plants....   13 Jul 2009    Michigan Organic Community and MOFFA Lose a Long-Time Organic Scientist-Farmer and Champion PAW PAW – Douglas A. Murray, 55, of Paw Paw, MI. passed away at home, Monday morning, July 13, 2009, with his family at his side. Doug was born October 29th, 1953, in West Branch, MI, the son of Alan and Loa Murray....