Farming and Gardening Workshops in Michigan 2015

Boot Camp for Farmers Workshop: Financial Planning, Business Literacy & Food Safety - Friday, January 9, 12pm-4pm, Allen Market Place, FREE

In this workshop, financial and food safety experts will share successful ways Michigan farmers are opening doors to new markets, like food hubs, through improved financial readiness and food safety practices. Registration for this workshop is free of charge & lunch is provided. RSVP by Monday, January 5, 2015: exchange@allenneighborhoodcenter.org, 517-999-3923

Growing Your Internet Presence - Friday, January 16, 1-3pm, Allen Market Place, FREE

Websites and social media have the potential to have a huge marketing impact for your business. Learn options for website creation and get design tips for creating an effective website, as well as advice on how to best use social media to your advantage. Workshop led by Sam Rose of Holocene Systems LLC, and Veronica Gracia-Wing of Piper & Gold Public Relations. To RSVP, contact Egypt: 517-999-3923 or exchange@allenneighborhoodcenter.org

Intro to Beekeeping

Saturday, January 24, 12:30-2pm, Hunter Park GardenHouse, $5-10 donation

This workshop will teach the basics of backyard beekeeping, equipment needed, and safety. Workshop led by beekeepers Jeremy Sprague and Matt Wojack. To RSVP contact Zach: gardeningeducator@allenneighborhoodcenter.org, 517-999-3910

Effective Crop Planning: How to Plan for Your Target Markets - Friday, January 30, 1-3pm, Allen Market Place, FREE

Crop planning is a vital component of farm success. Learn to grow your bottom line through effective planning and efficient use of space. We'll discuss how to identify crop needs and create seeding, transplanting, and harvest schedules to meet the needs of your markets and ensure you have a steady supply of high-quality product. Workshop led by Dan Fillius of MSU Student Organic Farm. To RSVP, contact Egypt: 517-999-3923 or exchange@allenneighborhoodcenter.org

Basic Construction Skills for Gardening - Saturday, January 31, 12:30-2pm, Hunter Park GardenHouse, $5-10 donation

Learn helpful skills that will guide you in an assortment of home & garden projects. Please bring a cordless drill & bits if you have one. Workshop led by Rita O'Brien of Hunter Park GardenHouse.

Urban Gardener Certification Program - Program begins February 28. Sign up soon!

Looking for a fun introduction to gardening? This program, intended for beginner-intermediate gardeners, features 11 sessions of instruction in basic yard and greenhouse gardening skills. Participants will have hands-on instruction as we plant and care for a garden together over the length of the program. Registrants attend Saturday workshops with special guest lecturers, and additional Tuesday evening labs offering hands-on practice with GardenHouse staff.

Program fee is reduced with work-share options: 1. Urban Gardener- pay $100 and do not complete any work-share hours; 2. Urban Gardener with 20 hours- pay $75 and complete 20 work-share hours; 3. Urban Gardener with 40 hours- pay $50 and complete 40 work-share hours.

For more details about the program (including full schedule & topics), please view the application/ agreement form available online. Or contact Zach: 517-999-3910; gardeningeducator@allenneighborhoodcenter.org​

Farmers & Food Businesses: Apply for Free or Low-Cost Services & Consultations - Apply Soon!

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Allen Market Place is excited to offer Mid-Michigan Farmers & Food Producers access to free or low-cost services in the following topics: Business Planning, Business Management, Business Marketing, Food Safety, and Product Innovation. We are partnering with experts to offer these services to you.

Kristine Ranger: farmer and educator at Knowledge Navigators. Kristine offers one-on-one coaching and mentoring on a variety of topics such as strategic planning for new business, marketing, human resources development, competition analysis and much more.

Phil Tocco: food safety educator for MSU Extension in Jackson County. Phil is able to provide resources directly to farms developing food safety programs, especially hazard analysis, farm safety plans, pre-GAP consultation, post-harvest handling, and other topics.

Diane Smith, innovation counselor at MSU Product Center.  Diane connects entrepreneurs with MSU Product Center’s wide range of offerings. This is an incredible opportunity for value-added producers with packaging/labeling, food safety, product development, nutrition analysis, or other needs. Many of these resources are free, and grant funds can be used to access the range of paid services offered.

Entrepreneurs or established businesses growing or processing food products for sale in Mid-Michigan are invited to apply to take advantage of this offer! There is a limited amount of funding for opportunities with each expert & applications are received and awarded on a rolling-basis until funding for that area of expertise has been depleted. Apply soon!!

Applications can be found at the Allen Market Place and on our website: www.allenmarketplace.org/happenings. For more info, contact Egypt Mapes, Exchange Manager at 517-999-3923 or exchange@allenneighborhoodcenter.org