FW: Detroit Farm to School Conference Set For May - Registration closes Friday!

Hi all,

Here's word from Diane Conners at the Michigan Land Use Institute regarding the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference:

 

"If you're interested in seeing farm to school programs grow, don't miss the upcoming Friday, April 30 deadline to register for the Taking Root: National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit in May. It's the place to be, whether you're a policy wonk interested in the historic debate shaping up nationally over school lunch programs or a food service director, teacher, farmer, or local foods advocate looking for new ideas and tools to bring more locally grown food to your school, college, correctional facility or hospital. And there's a chance to go to a Detroit Tiger's game too! Read more at my blog posted here."

 

 

Five field trip options, along with two short courses are offered for the first day of the conference, including this exciting field trip to learn about season extension techniques and local food purchasing at MSU:

 

The Student Organic Farm (SOF) at Michigan State University (MSU) was created in 1999 by a group of students who wanted to get their hands dirty and learn how to farm organically.  Since its initial inception, the farm has grown to include several passive solar hoop-houses that extend the growing season to year-round.  With their hoop houses and cold storage, the SOF became the first year-round CSA in Michigan.  The SOF also runs a farm stand on campus, sells wholesale to MSU, and dedicates a plot to grow foods for donation to the Greater Lansing Food Bank and local neighborhood centers.  Tour the Student Organic Farm and then visit an MSU dorm for a farm-fresh lunch to learn about how this land grant university is becoming a leader in the local food movement.  Visit the MSU Dairy store for an ice cream snack and learn how MSU Food Stores and Residential and Hospitality Services are incorporating food grown at the Student Organic Farm into daily meal offerings.

 

Register soon as registration closes Friday, April 30th! You see the conference schedule and brochure and register at http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/.

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu