The Record-Eagle has this report on how local schools are increasing their uses of local foods to feed their students.
"Janis Groomes knows what it takes to convince kids to eat their vegetables. Locally grown cucumbers, parsnips, squash, asparagus and kale have all been used in meals at Northport Public School, where Groomes is food service [...]
Mynorth.com has this article on "Dirt: The Movie" playing at the Dennos Museum Center this Thursday (Mar 4):
"It’s under our feet and under our fingernails, but what is it? And how did it get there? Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, find out how industrial farming, mining [...]
February 22, 2010 – 1:52 pm
The Detroit News has this article about a study that will hook chickens up to a "mountable wireless system":
"Michigan State University has plucked a $375,000 federal grant to study the habits of commercial egg-laying hens by using wireless sensors to track "activity profiles." That's academic speak for how the hens pass the time when not [...]
February 12, 2010 – 1:16 pm
The "Farm to School: Setting the Table for Wellness" conference is offering scholarships to students of Northwest Lower Michigan schools.
In a press release issued yesterday, the conference organizers announced:
Schools in northwest Lower Michigan have until Feb. 22 to take full advantage of significant scholarships that cover registration costs and substitute pay for sending seven people [...]
February 11, 2010 – 1:26 pm
Just in time for Valentine's Day, here is a story about Michigan's ever popular wine industry from Metromode:
"Michigan wines have got their own love scene going. With the world at their feet, Travel + Leisure magazine editors chose Michigan's wine country as one of the 50 Best Romantic Getaways for 2010. Eat your heart out, [...]
February 10, 2010 – 3:08 pm
The 11th Annual Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference (NMSFC) hosted over 730 people, setting a record for its two day event held last month (Jan 29, 30). Stan Moore, County Extension Director for the Antrim County MSU Extension office, said that there was a great turnout of vendors as well, with sixty vendors attending the [...]
February 8, 2010 – 1:27 pm
Here is a look at farming news making headlines in the region:
The Record-Eagle has this story on Northwest Michigan College's new viticulture program:
"Northwestern Michigan College will partner with Michigan State University and Missouri State University to offer the area's first viticulture certificate. The program offers an option to complete an associate's degree and will begin [...]
January 25, 2010 – 1:45 pm
Like cherries? Soon you may be able to follow cherries, and the local farmers who grow them, on Twitter and other social media.
The Record-Eagle has this story on how cherry growers are upgrading to Web 2.0:
"The region's Wi-Fi-capable growers, and texters alike, can make a pruning cut in the orchard, take a photograph, and send [...]
January 20, 2010 – 5:40 pm
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food."
Follow the Grand Vision on Twitter!
January 18, 2010 – 12:02 pm
The Food and Farming Working Group would like to remind you of an upcoming event: "The Promise of Gardens: How Gardens Build Community, Feed us All and Reconnect us to Nature."
The event asks: How do gardens help us build community and educate our kids? How can we use gardens to connect us to nature, improve our diet [...]
