Dr. George Bird. George is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University. He is a recipient of the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award and is also a Fellow of both the American Phytopathologial Society and the Society of Nematologists. George received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Rutgers University and the Ph.D. degree from Cornell University. Before coming to Michigan State University in 1973, he was a Research Scientist with Agriculture Canada at Harrow and an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia in the Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Genetics. George has expertise in the areas of soil biology, organic agriculture, nematology, integrated pest management and sustainable development. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Rodale Institute for the past 16 years and the MOFFA Board for the past 8 years. George is the senior author of a 2009 book chapter entitled, Climbing Mt. Organic: An Ecosystem Approach to Pest Management (in) Organic Farming: The Ecological System (Charles Francis, editor).
Yvette Berman is the Owner/CEO of Organic Earth Group, LLC. Her commitment to Michigan organic products inspired her to join the MOFFA Board in Spring 2008. A member of numerous organizations that support regional food systems, organic farming, health and wellness. As an active parent of the community, Yvette has been involved in team sports, developing Wellness Policies for schools, and serves on the Nutrition and Wellness Committee for Clarkston Community Schools. She enjoys nurturing her 25’ x 50’ family garden, holds a passion for better school food, promoting CSA organic farms, and living the organic lifestyle. Yvette lives in Oakland County with her husband, three children and two dogs. Running, reading, and horse-back riding are precious hobbies.
Yvette was voted to Co-Chair in 2009, and is the Michigan Organic Conference (MOC 2010) Sponsorship Chair. Graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Dr. Jim Bingen, from Okemos, MI (Board member since 2002). Jim is a Professor in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies at Michigan State University. With a background in Political Science, Jim works on socio-economic and policy issues related to organic food, farming and rural development in Michigan and in developing countries. He co-authored the report on Organic Agriculture in Michigan and a report of roundtable discussions with over 50 Michigan farmers. He is currently working on studies related to the marketing strategies of Michigan organic farmers, the challenges of converting to organic fruit production in Michigan and a study of Michigan farmers markets and vendors. Jim is a member of the Board of the national Farmers Market Coalition.
Patricia Whetham, from Flushing, MI (Board member since 1991). Patricia has been involved in organic farming and food issues and organizations the past 18 years. Beginning in 1986 as editor of the Michigan Organic News, she has informed and educated growers and consumers about the hows and whys of organic farming in a variety of ways. In addition to managing Whetham Organic Farm with husband Clarke, she is currently the Vice President of Organic Growers of Michigan, Treasurer of Great Lakes Organic Processors Cooperative, and an active organic inspector.
Chris Bardenhagen farms with his family on 80 acres in Leelanau County, raising organic tart cherries, winter and spring wheat for flour, and poultry. He is interested in policy developement for the advancement of sustainable farming and food systems, and spends time researching sustainable agriculture practices, drawing both from current science and practice and from historical sources kept deep within the MSU main library.
Dr, John Biernbaum is Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. He teaches courses in greenhouse management, passive solar greenhouses for protected cultivation, organic farming principles and practices, compost production and use, culinary and medicinal herbs, organic certification, and organic transplant production. John has worked with students and colleagues to start and develop the MSU Student Organic Farm and the Organic Farming Certificate Program that operate a 48-week CSA program, a 6-month campus farm stand and provide salad greens for campus using passive solar greenhouses and cold storage methods. He does research and outreach on year-round diversified organic farming for small scale farmers, urban agriculture, community and school gardening programs. He joined the Board in 2009.
Dr. Matt Grieshop, from Lansing MI, is an assistant professor of organic pest management at Michigan State University. He has served on the MOFFA board since Spring 2008 and as treasurer since July 2009. Matt also maintains the MOFFA website and is chair of the Michigan Organic Conference committee. Matt runs a research, teaching and extension program focused on the development of organically acceptable pest management strategies for Michigan growers. You can learn more about his day job at www.opm.msu.edu.
John Hooper
Vicki Morrone
Les Roggenbuck
