Organic Farming

Welcome to:

The Michigan Organic Farming Exchange

This site offers:

Resources and events to promote organic food production

Information to help farmers transition to organic

Tips on the process of organic certification

Farming practices that are practical for Michigan organic farmers

This WEB site is being brought to you by the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University. We want to offer you sound information and opportunities to promote your farm, you as the farmer and your harvest. We do not have all of the answers but are tapping as many resources as we can find so you can expand your ability and share your knowledge. We hope that you will take advantage of these resources and let us know how we can grow to better serve you.

Upcoming Events For Michigan's Organic Farmers

May 12-28, 2008 - Methods in Soil and Plant Ecology for Sustainable Systems Summer Class. Students from all institutions are welcome to earn three credits in Southwest Michigan at the Kellogg Biological Station.
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May 18, 2008 - Spring Garden Festival. Blooming full spring at the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.
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June 12, 2008 - Cover Crop Systems for Vegetables. 2008 Seminario Vegetal de Cosechas de Coberturas
One day workshop featuring Dr. Anne Verhallen, Ontario Dept of Ag and Dr. George Abawi from Cornell University, Geneva New York Agriculture Experiment Station. Registration and Program Info.
Para el folleto en Español, chasque aquí.
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July 13, 2008 – Taste of Summer Festival. Many great eats at the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.
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July 24, August 22, & September 18, 2008 - Select Michigan Program Seeks Vendors for Summer Farmers' Markets Come sell your products this summer with Select Michigan at Detroit and Lansing, Michigan locations.
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October 19, 2008 - Fall Harvest Festival. Festivities located at the Findlay Market in Cincinnati, OH.

Resources & Educational Opportunities

Michigan Organic Farm Listserv Exchange information, ideas and questions with other organic farmers and those interested in organic agriculture. To subscribe to the list, email listserv@list.msu.edu with (SUBSCRIBE MICH-ORGANIC YOUR NAME) in the body of the email.

Michigan Organic Farm Mentor Share your knowledge with new or less-experienced organic farmers, participate in the Michigan Organic Farmer Mentor Program. You will be contacted by the farmer seeking advice and can assist them at any level you are comfortable.

Find Sources & Offer Organic Grain If you are a grain farmer and sell (even occasionally) seed for crops and cover crops, you may want to list your farm on this website. Fill out this form and email to be added.

Now that the growing season has started, CAT Alerts offer pest and crop management advice for current conditions from March to September. The 2008 publications have started, sign up today! The information is written by MSU faculty and Extension educators.

New Agriculture Network has an on-line newsletter with seasonal advice for field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture.

Trellised Vegetables, a way to ease harvesting, increase air circulation and increase land-use efficiency.

Hairy Vetch-A great nitrogen fixing cover crop-but incorporate it into the soil before it sets seeds, unless you want it the following year.

Happy Organic Farming!