On December 2, 8:50am – 12:00 EST, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA), will host a webinar on the ways in which incubator farms are reaching out to address the challenges of new farmer access to land, new farmer practical training, regional food sovereignty, and farmland preservation. SAC member, Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) will be one of the guest presenters. To register, visit

This webinar will include four 30 minute presentations by managers of existing farm incubation programs from throughout the US.

TO REGISTER, GO TO: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/323160313

This seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, by Mr. Robert Waldrop, the director of a very interesting local food marketing network, called the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.  Basically, he’s developed a vibrant website that serves as a convenient marketing networker for hundreds of local farmers and hundreds of customers in Greater Oklahoma City (www.oklahomafood.coop (http://www.oklahomafood.coop/ ).  The website makes it convenient for customers who are too busy to go to the Farmer’s Market.  It’s quite remarkable! This business has grown at a phenomenal pace over the past few years and has re-invigorated the local food industry in Greater Oklahoma City. It would great if you could join us for this seminar, as we learn about the possibility of successfully applying Mr. Waldrop’s business model to Mid Michigan.

The seminar will be presented at 2 locations on the same day, Tuesday,

November 11, 2008:

10:30 AM at the Houghton-Jones Community Center (1708 Johnston Street in Saginaw)

7:00 PM at Saginaw Valley State University, Curtiss Hall Second Floor, Room Seminar D)

Pre-registration is encouraged by calling me or Ms. Monique Owens of the Saginaw Valley Center for Business & Economic Development at (989) 964-2164 (email mowens@svsu.edu )

Attached is a flyer for the seminar and a flyer describing the Oklahoma Food Coop.

This event was made possible by funding from the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant in partnership with the Mid Michigan Innovation Team and Saginaw Valley State University-Center for Business & Economic Development.

From Fair Food Matters:

Are you interested in eating more locally grown and raised food? Are you a grower or producer looking for new customers? or are looking to discover others with your interest or passion for local food? Connect with hundreds of others from Southwest Michigan with similar interests by joining the Eat Local SW Mich yahoo group. Just go to http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/EatLocalSWMich/join. To learn more, please contact Lori at lorievesque@comcast.net.

North Central SARE Organic and Sustainable Ag Video Series
Thursday, November 13, 7-9:30 pm
Taking the Next Steps toward Using Season Extension Tools and
Techniques to Increase Farm Profitability and Sustainability

Join Dr. John Biernbaum and Dr. Eric Hanson from the MSU Dept. of Horticulture in Room 320 of the Natural Resource bldg. at Michigan State University.

Or view on your desktop via Adobe Connect at:
https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/hightunnels/

The program will also be archived for later viewing at: http://tristateorganic.info

Program Agenda

7:00-7:05 – Welcome and Introductions-
Jerry Nelson, Purdue University
7:05-7:35- Season Extension of Tomato Production -
Lewis W. Jett, West Virginia University
7:35- 8:05- Winter Vegetable Production in High Tunnels -
John Biernbaum, Michigan State University
8:05 -8:15 – Questions
8:15-8:45 – Small Fruit Production in High Tunnels –
Eric Hanson Michigan State University
8:45-9:15 – Floral Production in High Tunnels –
Chris Mullins, Virginia State University.
9:15-9:30 – Questions
9:30 – Adjourn

Sponsored by: North Central Region S.A.R.E. (Sustainable Agriculture Research Education) Michigan State University Extension, Purdue University Extension, University of Illinois Extension.

Get Farming! is a project of the Michigan Land Use Institute in Traverse City. Their primary focus is on new, beginning farmers and prospective growers. They are hosting workshops on a variety of subjects, including:

- Reducing Risk: New Options for insuring your crops
Free workshop
November 12, 2008 from 7 to 9 pm at Michigan Works, 1209 Garfield in Traverse City. Please pre-register for the program by calling the Michigan Land Use Institute at 231-941-6584.

- Hoop for the Future: How Hoop Houses can extend growing season and reduce risk at Black Star Farm, December 3, 2008.
Day-long session from 9-4. Free, Please pre-register for the program by calling the Michigan Land Use Institute at 231-941-6584.

Other sessions that we are assembling include:

* Financing and grant opportunities available to area farms.
* Women in Agriculture: Granny Landlords, Estate Planning, and Effective Communication for Farm Women in northern Michigan
* Effective grant-writing strategies.
* Native American growing practices.
* Local zoning and your farm.
* Food processing and value-added agriculture.

- Get Farming’s Entrepreneur Series will offer eight classes covering farm business issues like market research, legal concerns, and financial planning. The Entrepreneur Series begins on January 20, 2009 at Michigan Works in Traverse City.

MLUI’s Get Farming! website is http://www.localdifference.org/getfarming/

The project coordinator is Jim Sluyter, 231-889-0199 or jimsluyter@mlui.org