12th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference

Walking the Walk: Bold Steps Toward a Regional Food System

Jan 21-22, Grayling High School

MISSION: The NMSFC serves as a vehicle to promote and build a local vibrant agriculture community, to equip the small farm community with the tools to be successful, and to be a forum for the open exchange of ideas within the small farm community. This is accomplished primarily through the annual conference in January, but is also accomplished through the support of other education opportunities throughout the year.

Goals:

1. To provide an outstanding educational event that meets the needs of the attendees of the conference.
2. Provide a forum for the open exchange of ideas within the small farm community.
3. Support small farm educational programs throughout the year.
4. Help to build a local network of small farms, community businesses, and local government for the expressed purpose of building the local food economy.

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Harvest @

Last year, we celebrated Harvest @ blu with Randy Chamberlain

This year, due to demand, we have moved it to Mission Table. Randy joins Paul Olson for the 2010 event.

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Northern Michigan Heirloom Bean Tasting!

Beans & Brownies Birthday Benefit Bonanza!
Saturday, November 13, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Neahtawanta Inn, 13080 Neahtawanta Rd, Traverse City

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Northern Natural Winery’s Grand Opening Tomorrow

Northern Natural Winery is holding a Grand Opening October 16 featuring live music, wine tastings, and a meet-and-greet with six area vendors whose products are sold in the winery and available for sampling. Located at the corner of US-31 and M-115 in Benzonia, the winery offers a new Riesling, a variety of fruit wines -- apple, peach, cherry and strawberry -- along with organic hard cider and the rare iced apple cider. Learn more here.

Pond Hill Farm offers Farm to Table Dinner Experiences

Pond Hill Farm will host an Autumn Harvest Farm to Table Dinner Experience on the evening of Tuesday, October 12th at 6:30pm.

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Great Lakes ~ Great Chefs

Talk about the A list of chefs! Great Lakes ~ Great Chefs, which benefits the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, will be held Friday, Oct. 22 in Lobdell's Teaching Restaurant on NMC's Great Lakes Campus.

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Pigstock TC

For professional chefs and food "decision makers" - Pigstock TC.

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Tomato Canning Workshop

Come learn how to can tomatoes; or if you know how, come join in the fun of a community canning party. The workshop is limited to 8 participants.

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Time for Wine and Microbrew Festivals

The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival returns for its second year at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons tomorrow, August 21, from 3-10 p.m. Celebrating the wine, food and culture of Michigan's wine coast, the festival features local wines, food from local restaurants, music headlined by Larry McCray, Greg Nagy, Song of the Lakes Trio, May Erlewine & Seth Bernard, and artwork from 3 arts organizations and more than 60 regional artists.

Next up is the Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival, which takes place at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons Friday & Saturday, August 27 & 28. The festival features craft beers, ciders and meads from all over the country, plus food, games, meet-the-brewers tasting sessions, and live music on two stages.

Cooking Local & Culinary Basics with Chef Keil Moshier

Space is still available in next week's adult cooking class: COOKING LOCAL & CULINARY BASICS with Chef Keil Moshier August 16 - 20 9:00-12:00 in the kitchen at The Children's House in Traverse city. $125.

Check out our garden and learn the importance of fresh local produce. Take an in-depth look at sauce making techniques, roasting, grilling and how to break down recipes. This class teaches basics from a master chef's perspective. Chef Keil is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute and co-owner of Patisserie Amie and Chez Peres in Traverse City. Call the school at 231.929.9384 or register online.

Endorsement of local foods

Mario talks up local foods

Record Eagle on Writer's Guild event

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MLUI - The Video

Last Friday was the "World Premier" of MLUI : The Movie, with some good material on local food.

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Signature Chefs Auction

The Traverse City Signature Chefs Auction will take place at the Hagerty Center on Monday, Octber 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. We will have 20 local chefs and wine pairings for our guest to enjoy.

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Green Cuisine Tomorrow

Green Cuisine is tomorrow! 5 to 8 pm at Food For Thought 10704 Oviatt Rd. in Honor, Michigan. Green Cuisine is an expression of Food For Thought's philosophy. It is our effort to bring more awareness to the benefit of local food and sustainable business practices. Visitors will be able to sample some of the best products of local food and beverage artisans, tour Food For Thought's organic farm and green buildings as well as socialize, learn and have fun in a beautiful setting. Children welcome.