Apple glut? Do your part!

The apple harvest was bountiful this year, and MLUI's Janice Benson reminds us of what we can do: "buy a bushel, get out your recipes,and pack the lunch boxes, freezers,and cupboards."

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Bioneers post conference workshops this saturday

The Great Lakes Bioneers are hosting several post-conference workshops November 7, starting at 1 p.m. at the Oleson Center in Traverse City. Other events at the Open Space. Vermicomposting and biodynamic farming are on the agenda.

Indoor Farmers Market at the Commons

The new Indoor Winter Farmers Market gets underway this Saturday at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in the retail marketplace of The Village.

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Fungi and Fermentation Skill Swap

Join the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design (ISLAND) and the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center as we explore the wide world of fungi and fermentations. Anyone with an interest in local foods; wild-crafting; food preservation; or tasty, healthful meals will greatly benefit from the workshops offered here. Experienced teachers will present an array of topics, including wild mushroom hikes, mushroom dyeing, mushroom paper, cheese making, vegetable fermentations, mead making, and much more! There will also be local vendors selling fungal and fermented goods.

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Red Orchard

I continue to be blown away by how red some of the cherry orchards have been this year.

4-H Livestock Auction

Ducks, pigs, chickens, goats.......how to participate in the 4-H Livestock Auction.

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Plans to double farming sector’s value

The recently formed Northwest Michigan Food and Farm Network aims to double the value of the local farming economy over the next decade. Read more in the Record-Eagle's article Farm network has Vision.

Kids’ program on endangered and heirloom seeds

Farming for our Future is offering a program for children on June 24 to learn about agriculture, farm life as well as endangered seeds. Children will also help design and plant Emmet County's first Endangered Seed Garden located at Pond HIll Farm in Harbor Springs, as well as take endangered seedlings home with them to plant in their own gardens.

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Farmers Market Listing

Ah, the much anticipated opening of farmers markets throughout the north is upon us. Take a look at our Up North Farmers Markets and a plan a visit!

TC Downtown Farmers Market Kicks off ‘09 Season on Saturday 5/9

The Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market kicks off its Saturday market in Traverse City, Michigan, on May 9. You'll find it in the parking lot across from Clinch Park.

How to Make Local Food Work for Michigan

Read Patty Cantrell's piece over at the Michigan Land Use Institute about how small local farms can be an economic bright spot for the state. Her new report can guide local and state officials to leverage Michigan's great farm diversity to grow jobs, build health, and strengthen regional economies.

Stimulus $ to support school kitchens

Michigan schools will receive nearly $2.6 million in grant dollars from the federal stimulus package to buy new kitchen equipment, including equipment that can make it easier for schools to prepare fresh food from local farmers. Diane Conners of the Michigan Land Use Institute reports on the story.

Farming a N.W. Michigan Heavyweight Farming a N.W. Michigan Heavyweight

Check out the Michigan Land Use Institute's Patty Cantrell article on the new policies, investments, and marketing that could make Northwest Michigan a champ: Report: Farming a NW Michigan Heavyweight.

Park to offer Antique Apple and Pear Tree Pruning Workshop

Wondering how to shape up those neglected antique fruit trees? You won't want to miss this free hands-on workshop at Sleeping Bear Dunes!

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