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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Farm to Institution Meet & Greet in Detroit!

There’s still space left for the Farm to Institution Meet & Greet in Detroit on March 5th so let us know if you plan to join in! This free, informal networking event will help farmers and food vendors meet and connect with institutional food buyers, and vice versa. 

 

Details follow, and a flyer with additional details (including parking info) is attached so you can help us spread the word!

 

Detroit

Farm to Institution Meet & Greet

Offered in partnership with Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), Detroit Eastern Market Corporation, and SEED Wayne/Wayne State University

Tuesday, March 5th

2:30 – 4:00 pm

The Atrium of the Faculty Administrative Building

Wayne State University

656 Reuther Mall in Detroit

RSVP to me or Michaelle Rehmann, FSEP, at rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org by Monday, March 4th

 

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Up-coming Farm to School/Institution Events!

Greetings,

 

The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, along with a number of community and organizational partners, are happy to provide three Farm to School/Institution networking and learning events. In Grand Rapids and Detroit, we will host Farm to Institution Meet & Greets – free, informal networking events to help farmers and food vendors meet and connect with institutional food buyers, and vice versa.  In Battle Creek, we will offer a Farm to Institution Information Session, with conversation focusing not only on local food purchasing efforts at institutions but also on the local food system and food hubs, with Cheryl Danley, Rich Pirog and Joe Colyn all on hand to speak.

 

Details follow for each, and flyers with additional details are attached so you can help us spread the word!

 

 

Grand Rapids

Farm to Institution Meet & Greet

Offered in partnership with MSU Extension, Kent County

Wednesday, February 27th

3:00 – 4:30 pm

MSU Extension – Kent County Office

775 Ball Ave NE in Grand Rapids

RSVP to me or Garrett Ziegler, MSU Extension, at zieglerg@anr.msu.edu by Friday, February 22nd

 

 

Detroit

Farm to Institution Meet & Greet

Offered in partnership with Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), and Detroit Eastern Market Corporation

Tuesday, March 5th

2:30 – 4:00 pm

The Atrium of the Faculty Administrative Building

Wayne State University

656 Reuther Mall in Detroit

RSVP to me or Michaelle Rehmann, FSEP, at rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org by Friday, March 1st

 

 

Battle Creek

Farm to Institution Information Session

Offered in partnership with Good Food BC

Wednesday, March 6th

5:00 – 7:00 pm

Burnham Brook Community Center

200 W Michigan Ave in Battle Creek

RSVP to me or Cheryl Danley, MSU CRFS, at danleych@msu.edu by Thursday, February 28th

 

 

We thank all of the partners who helped to pull these events together, and we look forward to seeing many of you at these events to continue to build and strengthen Farm to Institution programs in Michigan!

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

REMINDER - Job announcement - Academic specialist (#7350) at MSU's Center for Regional Food Systems - applications due February 28


This is a reminder of a recently posted job announcement; we have extended the application deadline to February 28. Please feel free to circulate to individuals and appropriate networks……




Position Description – Academic Specialist

 

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

 

 

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is seeking an Academic Specialist to support outreach and research efforts promoting good food access and awareness in childhood development and education environments. The position will support existing CRFS initiatives and help to develop additional programming capacity in this arena.

 

Status:  This is a full-time, annual year, temporary position. Initial appointment will be for one year with reappointment contingent upon funding and performance.  
 
Available:  April 1, 2013 or when suitable candidate is identified.

 

Application Deadline:  February 28, 2013 or until suitable candidate is identified.

 
Starting Salary:  Commensurate with education and experience up to $50,000 annually.

 

Reporting: Individual reports to Senior Associate Director, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.

 

Qualifications:

  1. Master's degree in food systems, public health, public policy, nutrition, education or related field.
  2. At least two years of experience with community food systems and/or early child care and K-12 education issues, environments and programs.
  3. Demonstrated project leadership, resourcefulness, and self-motivation.
  4. Ability to balance multiple simultaneous projects and to easily shift between working independently and as part of a team.
  5. Strong written and verbal communications skills and experience using a broad range of communications tactics.
  6. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups such as academic faculty and staff, youth and adult community members, organizational partners and funders.
  7. Knowledge and use of technology in completing job requirements including Microsoft Office suite, web-based search and information systems, and phone/web conferencing systems.
  8. Available to travel throughout the state and within the U.S. and possession of a valid, current state driver's license
  9. Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunity/affirmative action and diversity/pluralism.

 

 

Job Summary:

§  Develop and execute a strategic, multi-year outreach and research agenda, including the engagement of national organizations as partners, to promote good food access and awareness in early childhood development and education environments.

§  Support on-going Michigan Farm to School network efforts with an emphasis on early child care environments, including provision of training and technical assistance and development of resources;

§  Convene national and statewide project partners virtually and in person to enhance collective understanding and collaboration;

§  Develop and submit grant proposals, fulfill objectives and manage budgets and reporting requirements of grants awarded;

§  Develop publications, webinars and presentations, and other resources for diverse audiences;

§  Participate in relevant CRFS work group and/or community of practice as interest and time allows;

§  Document and share project work and accomplishments; maintain regular internal and external communication about project activities; develop and report on an annual plan of work;

§  Represent projects at local, state and national meetings;

§  Report to and collaborate with project principal investigators as funding requires;

§  Help to foster, facilitate and maintain CRFS culture of trust, support and accountability.

 

Application Procedure: 

 

You must apply online to MSU Human Resources:

 

Go to:

 http://jobs.msu.edu

and look for job posting # 7350   (look under faculty/academic staff)

 

A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, Curriculum Vita or resume, and names and contacts for three references will be required as part of your application.

 

If you have questions about the position or search process, you may contact:

Rich Pirog, Senior Associate Director

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

Phone: (517) 353-0694

Email: rspirog@msu.edu

 

Please do not send application materials directly to Rich Pirog.

 

CRFS Mission: CRFS works to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

 

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. Michigan State University employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

 


Rich Pirog
Senior Associate Director
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Rd, Rm 313 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517-353-0694 | (f) 517-353-3834

E-mail:  rspirog@msu.edu 

Web: foodsystems.msu.edu 



Friday, February 15, 2013

Michigan Listening Session for the Food Safety Modernization Act proposed rules

(My apologies for cross-posting)

Dear Michigan Food and Agriculture Industry members:

The Food Safety Modernization Act, the most sweeping reform to food safety in more than 70 years, was signed into law in early 2011.  On January 16, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published proposed rules for two sections in FSMA.  These proposed rules cover Produce Safety and Preventive Controls for Human Food.   The publishing of these proposed rules marked the start of a 120-day public comment period, which ends May 16, 2013. 

On April 24, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will host a listening session for the Food Safety Modernization Act proposed Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Controls Rule.  A “Save the Date” flyer is attached.  Presenters from FDA will be on hand to discuss the rules and answer questions.   If you are interested in receiving details about this listening session, please send your name, affiliation, phone number and email address to MDA-FoodDairyInfo@michigan.gov.

Since seating at the listening session is limited and the goal is to get input from as many producers and processors as possible, there will be an opportunity to participate in the listening session via webinar.  MDARD is working with industry partners and Michigan State University Extension to have satellite locations available around the state for those who may not have high-speed Internet capabilities.

You are encouraged to visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov/fsma to review the FSMA fact sheets prior to the listening session.  Please note that this is a listening session, not a formal hearing.  If you are interested in providing formal comments to FDA about the proposed rules, you will need to post them to the federal register.  Go to the FSMA website at www.fda.gov/fsma, click on the fact sheet about the proposed rule for which you wish to post comments and then click on the Docket Number for that rule.

 

Jeanne M. Hausler

Food & Dairy Communications

Food & Dairy Division

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

517-373-9790 (desk)

517-256-8614 (mobile)

hauslerj@michigan.gov

 

www.michigan.gov/mdard

www.michigan.gov/foodsafety

www.michigan.gov/puremichiganfit

 

 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Job announcement - Academic specialist at MSU's Center for Regional Food Systems


Please feel free to circulate to individuals and appropriate networks……




Position Description – Academic Specialist

 

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

 

 

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is seeking an Academic Specialist to support outreach and research efforts promoting good food access and awareness in childhood development and education environments. The position will support existing CRFS initiatives and help to develop additional programming capacity in this arena.

 

Status:  This is a full-time, annual year, temporary position. Initial appointment will be for one year with reappointment contingent upon funding and performance.  
 
Available:  April 1, 2013 or when suitable candidate is identified.

 

Application Deadline:  February 22, 2013 or until suitable candidate is identified.

 
Starting Salary:  Commensurate with education and experience up to $50,000 annually.

 

Reporting: Individual reports to Senior Associate Director, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.

 

Qualifications:

  1. Master's degree in food systems, public health, public policy, nutrition, education or related field.
  2. At least two years of experience with community food systems and/or early child care and K-12 education issues, environments and programs.
  3. Demonstrated project leadership, resourcefulness, and self-motivation.
  4. Ability to balance multiple simultaneous projects and to easily shift between working independently and as part of a team.
  5. Strong written and verbal communications skills and experience using a broad range of communications tactics.
  6. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups such as academic faculty and staff, youth and adult community members, organizational partners and funders.
  7. Knowledge and use of technology in completing job requirements including Microsoft Office suite, web-based search and information systems, and phone/web conferencing systems.
  8. Available to travel throughout the state and within the U.S. and possession of a valid, current state driver's license
  9. Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunity/affirmative action and diversity/pluralism.

 

 

Job Summary:

§  Develop and execute a strategic, multi-year outreach and research agenda, including the engagement of national organizations as partners, to promote good food access and awareness in early childhood development and education environments.

§  Support on-going Michigan Farm to School network efforts with an emphasis on early child care environments, including provision of training and technical assistance and development of resources;

§  Convene national and statewide project partners virtually and in person to enhance collective understanding and collaboration;

§  Develop and submit grant proposals, fulfill objectives and manage budgets and reporting requirements of grants awarded;

§  Develop publications, webinars and presentations, and other resources for diverse audiences;

§  Participate in relevant CRFS work group and/or community of practice as interest and time allows;

§  Document and share project work and accomplishments; maintain regular internal and external communication about project activities; develop and report on an annual plan of work;

§  Represent projects at local, state and national meetings;

§  Report to and collaborate with project principal investigators as funding requires;

§  Help to foster, facilitate and maintain CRFS culture of trust, support and accountability.

 

Application Procedure: 

 

You must apply online to MSU Human Resources:

 

Go to:

 http://jobs.msu.edu

and look for job posting # 7350   (look under faculty/academic staff)

 

A cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, Curriculum Vita or resume, and names and contacts for three references will be required as part of your application.

 

If you have questions about the position or search process, you may contact:

Rich Pirog, Senior Associate Director

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

Phone: (517) 353-0694

Email: rspirog@msu.edu

 

Please do not send application materials directly to Rich Pirog.

 

CRFS Mission: CRFS works to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

 

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. Michigan State University employment opportunities are open to eligible/qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

 


Rich Pirog
Senior Associate Director
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Rd, Rm 313 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517-353-0694 | (f) 517-353-3834

E-mail:  rspirog@msu.edu 

Web: foodsystems.msu.edu 



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

FW: USDA Announces Request for Applications for FY 2014 Farm to School Grants

Greetings,

The USDA just issued their Request for Applications (RFA) for the next round of Farm to School Grants. Please see the notice below, including a link to the RFA and webinar opportunities to learn more about each grant type: Planning, Implementation, and new this year, Support Service Grants.

 

Michigan had great representation in the first round of applications last year, and it would be great to do so again! Please let me know if you plan to apply.

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

From: USDA Food and Nutrition Service [mailto:usda.fns@service.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 11:09 AM
Subject: USDA Announces Request for Applications for FY 2014 Farm to School Grants

 

Special Announcement!

USDA Announces Request for Applications for FY 2014 Farm to School Grants

National Program Continues to Increase Local Foods in Schools and Provides New Economic Opportunities for Producers of All Kinds

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 6, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the release of a request for applications (RFA) for the latest round of USDA's Farm to School grants. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.

"USDA's Farm to School grants connect schools with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses, providing new economic opportunities to food producers and bringing healthy, local offerings into school cafeterias," said Merrigan. "USDA continues to make improvements to the nutrition of food offered in schools, and investing in farm to school programs is yet another important opportunity to encourage our nation's kids to make lifelong healthy eating choices."

This year, three different kinds of grants will be available. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities, while implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. Proposals are due at midnight EST, April 24, 2013. To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals,

USDA will host a series of webinars related to the application process:

  • March 5, 2013, 1:00 EST – Planning Grants
  • March 6, 2013, 1:00 EST – Implementation Grants
  • March 7, 2013, 1:00 EST – Support Service Grants

The Farm to School Grant Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The Act provides $5 million annually to support grants, technical assistance, and the federal administrative costs related to USDA's Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $5 million in grants.

Healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama. The new meal requirements are raising standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improving the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day.

Farm to School is one component of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) initiative, launched in 2009 to coordinate the Department's work on local and regional food systems and create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural communities. An interactive view of USDA programs that support local and regional foods, including farm to school and farm to institution, is available in the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The KYF Compass consists of an interactive map of USDA-supported local and regional food projects and an accompanying guide to programs and results. In October 2012, the map was expanded and now includes projects from nine other federal agencies.


This email was sent to matts@msu.edu using GovDelivery, on behalf of: USDA Food and Nutrition Service · 3101 Park Center Drive · Alexandria, VA 22302 · 800-439-1420

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

FoodCorps Michigan Recruitment and Newsletter


FoodCorps is happy to announce the launch of applications for the 2013-2014 service term! If you are interested in applying to become a FoodCorps service member, you can click here to get started. Applications are open now through March 24th at 11:59 pm ET.

You can explore our website, watch this video,  and check out our state Facebook page to get a better understanding of what it is we do here at FoodCorps. Please find our most recent state newsletter attached.

Thanks and feel free to reach out with any questions!

(Sorry for cross-postings!)


--
Robyn Wardell
FoodCorps Fellow, Michigan
 
 
  

Up-coming school garden webinars

Hi all,

Here are a couple of school garden-related webinars that might be of interest:

 

Webinar: Design Ideas for a Fun, Successful Instructional School Garden

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Register at: http://www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EB53D8878549

Speaker: John Fisher, Outreach Director, Life Lab

 

School gardens can range from inspirational outdoor classrooms to neglected lost corners of a school campus. Smart design, adding interpretive displays and including whimsical effects can go a long way to creating sites that inspire and engage students and teachers. Join John Fisher on February 6th to learn how to design a fun, successful, instructional school garden. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your garden, this webinar will leave you with a list of ideas to enhance your site. Topics to be covered include: art and whimsy, compost bin design, garden signage, bed design and layout, drip irrigation, gathering areas, kitchens and sinks, greenhouses, and repurposing found objects in the garden. Join John on February 6th for a fast-paced presentation packed with hundreds of school garden design elements.

Co-hosted by the National Farm to School Network and The New Jersey Farm to School Network

Using School Garden Produce in School Food Service   |   February 12, 2013 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET   |   Click here to learn more and register

School gardens -- what better way to engage students in healthy eating experiences? Serving garden produce in school food service programs presents new challenges, but it can be done! This webinar will address these challenges and offer specific strategies and recommendations to successfully connect school garden produce with the school food service programs. Hear about great garden successes from New York and Connecticut school districts and these programs' impacts on students and their food experiences.

                                           

Enjoy!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu