Follow this link to the Get Farming! web site

Contact Jim Sluyter for information on any of the events sponsored by the Michigan Land Use Institute Get Farming program.

 Organic Vineyard Management

August 19, 3 p.m., at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
6686 S. Center Hwy (County Rd 633)
Three miles north of Crain Hill Rd., in Leelanau County
Learn how to manage diseases and insects in the vineyard using organic practices. We will cover the main grape diseases and organic control strategies, with time allowed for discussion. Veteran organic growers will share their experiences.

This presentation is in conjunction with the Hort Station Annual Open House. For information on other presentations, wine tasting, and dinner call Jackie at 231-946-1510.

Presenters: Annemiek C. Schilder, associate professor in the Plant Pathology Department at Michigan State University and Rufus Isaacs, associate professor in the MSU Department of Entomology.

Cranberry Marsh Site Selection

August 24, 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Manistee Conservation District Office
8840 Chippewa Hwy (US 31)
South of Bear Lake, in Manistee County

Cranberry farming can be lucrative, but requires an appropriate site, significant investments in infrastructure, and appropriate state permits. Learn about site requirements, permitting, and Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs).

Inside presentations start at 1 p.m.; a field trip follows, near Kaleva.

Presenters:

Erik Johnson, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Mark Longstroth, MSU Extension, Kim Fish, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Please pre-register for Cranberry Marsh Site Selection by calling the Michigan Land Use Institute at 231-941-6584. For more information, contact Jim Sluyter at 231-941-6584, ext. 15 and jimsluyter@mlui.org, or visit www.localdifference.org/get farming. Pre-registration for Organic Vineyard Management is not necessary.

Farm Tour Series:
Visit the Pros

Tours are free, but space is limited, so please pre-register by calling Jim Sluyter at 231-941-6584, ext. 15, or email jimsluyter@mlui.org

The last remaining tour in this series is:

Five Springs Farm: This small, diversified vegetable farm in Manistee County operates off the electric grid with wind and solar power. 
Sunday, September 12 1-3 pm:

3480 Potter Road, Bear Lake

Seed Saving
There are plenty of growers—from big farms down to backyard gardens—saving seeds, bulbs, rootstocks and more in the region. We could be a lot more systematic about it if we join forces and work together.

For information contact Jim Sluyter, jimsluyter@mlui.org or 231-941-6584 ext. 15.

Renewable Energy for the Small Farm

Tuesday, September 7, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station 6686 S. Center Hwy (County Rd 633)  

Renewable energy technologies and efficiency can offer energy independence, bolster a farm’s bottom line, or create new revenue sources. Learn about small-scale wind and solar, farm-scale biodiesel, hosting a lucrative community wind project, and USDA funding.

Presenters: Jim Sluyter, MLUI; Tom Karas, Michigan Energy Alternatives Project; Jim Barnes, Eco-Building Products; Alan Anderson, USDA Rural Development; William Koucky, NW Michigan Biodiesel LLC

Food safety is a major concern for buyers and consumers. Explore ways to assure that your farm is producing clean, safe food and learn how new food safety legislation may affect your farm.

Wednesday, September 22, 6:30 - 9:00

Student Center, Baker College

9600 East 13th Street

Cadillac, MI 49601

More and more buyers use Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Audits to confirm agri-food safety on the farm. See how a GAP audit is conducted and what the auditor will look for on this field trip. If you have a GAP manual, bring it along. Participation limited; please pre-register early!

Thursday, September 23, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Bardenhagen Farms

7881 E. Pertner Rd., Suttons Bay

Presenters for Food Safety and GAP:

Phil Tocco, Extension Educator, Jackson County MSU Extension, an agriculture and natural resources educator with Michigan State University Extension. Dan Busby, Michigan Water Stewardship Program Coordinator, will also be on the Food Safety program agenda.

Please pre-register for these free events by calling the Michigan Land Use Institute at 231-941-6584. For more information, contact Jim Sluyter at 231-941-6584, ext. 15 and jimsluyter@mlui.org, or visit www.localdifference.org/get farming.