Pepper Recipe Request

Greetings All,

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network has begun development of the 2015 product guides, to assist with institutional purchasing of four Michigan products. If you haven't heard already, the four products being featured this year are milk, peppers, winter squash and bean. 

I'm writing to request any recipes that feature peppers, to include as a resource in the guide. These can include any type of pepper, hot or sweet, so long as we can grow them in Michigan. Ideally, these recipes would be scaled up for institutional production, but we will accept your favorite home recipes as well. If you have any recipes that are a particular favorite among the students, patients, or other clients that you serve, we would love to share them with the rest of the state. 

In addition, if you happen to have any pictures of the dish (or could take one in the next month or so), we would be thrilled to feature your photo as well.

Please send any submissions to me, at kochkait@msu.edu. Please also feel welcome to share this request with others that may not be on these lists.

Thank you for your help!

kaitlin

--

Kaitlin Koch

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

21885 Dunham, Suite 12

Clinton Township, MI 48036

Work: 586-469-6088

 

Fwd: FW: Build Your Future Curriculum Trainings-Can you send these out to your networks?

FYI: This may be of interest to those of you that either work with youth on career development, or are connected to those that do. Please share widely. 

 

Kaitlin Koch

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

21885 Dunham, Suite 12

Clinton Township, MI 48036

Work: 586-469-6088

Cell: 313-695-7746

 

 

Build Your Future" Curriculum Trainings

The "Build Your Future: Choices …Connections…Careers" curriculum helps teens investigate career interests, identify goals, develop employability skills and explore post-secondary education options and sources of funding. Nine engaging chapters provide a fun structure to help teens learn about their choices, make important connections and plan successful, meaningful careers. Learn how to implement this new National curriculum focusing on career exploration and workforce preparation written by Michigan State University Extension Educators by attending one of the following opportunities:

• Introduction to Build your Future: This FREE introductory trainings will be on February 23 from 11:00-12:30 at the Genesee County extension office and provides an overview of the curriculum and a sampling of lessons. For more information and to register go to:  http://events.anr.msu.edu/IntroBYF/
• Build Your Future Full Curriculum Training: This training will be held on March 18 in Oakland County from 4:00-9:00 pm.  At the completion of the training, attendees will have what they need to start using the curriculum immediately. The $30 cost includes the full curriculum, a curriculum toolkit ($90 value) and refreshments. For more information and to register go to: http://events.anr.msu.edu/BYFgrant/

• Build Your Future Full Curriculum Training:  This training is also offered in Clinton and Otsego Counties as well. There will be additional trainings with one in the U. P too but do not have a dates yet.  All the train the trainers can be accessed through this url:  http://events.anr.msu.edu/BYFgrant/

 

 

Kathy Jamieson, Extension Educator

Michigan State University Extension-Macomb

Children and Youth Institute-Career and Workforce Preparation

Greening Michigan Institute-Sustaining Community Prosperity

 

21885 Dunham Suite 12

Clinton Township, MI 48036

Jamies13@anr.msu.edu

Work phone: 586-469-6093

Fax: 586-469-6948

www.msue.msu.edu

 

 

Research and education delivered locally!

 

 

 

 

--

kaitlin

 

FW: Policy Alert: Congress introduces Farm to School Act of 2015

FYI!

 

From: National Farm to School Network [mailto:info@farmtoschool.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 1:23 PM
To: Matts, Colleen
Subject: Policy Alert: Congress introduces Farm to School Act of 2015

 

Congress introduces Farm to School Act of 2015   The Farm to School Act of 2015 has been officially introduced in Congress! This bipartisan effort is being led by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH).   The Farm to School Act of 2015 builds on the success of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by proposing an increase in funding from $5 million to $15 million for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program. The bill would also ensure that the grant program fully includes preschools, summer food service sites, after school programs, and tribal schools and producers while improving program participation from beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.    Why is this bill important?  Farm to school is a proven method for improving the health of our nation's children. Today, more than 23 million students are making healthier food choices at school and at home thanks to farm to school activities like school gardens, cooking classes and incorporating local foods in school meals.  Demand for the successful USDA Farm to School Grant Program far exceeds supply. In its first three years, the program received more than 1,000 applications but only had enough funding to award 221 grants. In other words, just one in five projects was funded. Schools are an important market for farmers. In 2011-12, U.S. schools spent $385 million on local food. Farmers participating in farm to school initiatives nationwide have seen an average 5 percent increase in income.   What's next for the Farm to School Act of 2015? Tell Congress you support the Farm to School Act of 2015 by signing a letter of support as an individual or on behalf of your organization. Make sure Congress knows that farm to school is a powerful tool for supporting our kids, our farmers and our communities!  This act is what's known as a "marker bill" which means it will be considered by Congress as part of the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (CNR), which is set to expire on September 30. As Congress considers the Farm to School Act of 2015 and CNR over the coming months, expect to hear from us about steps you can take to encourage your Senators and Representatives to support the bill. To learn how you can be an advocate, visit our website, sign up for our next webinar or watch this archived webinar.                          The National Farm to School Network and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are partnering to advance farm to school priorities in the 2015 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (CNR 2015), with the shared goal of supporting stronger communities, healthier children and resilient farms.

 

This message was sent to matts@msu.edu from: National Farm to School Network | info@farmtoschool.org | National Farm to School Network | 8770 West Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 1300 PMB #104 | Chicago, IL 60631-3515

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FW: 2015 USDA Farm to School Census Webinar - March 3

Greetings,

Please see information below for a webinar that may be of interest about the upcoming USDA Farm to School Census!

 

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

 

 

From: CNDPartnerWeb@fns.usda.gov [mailto:CNDPartnerWeb@fns.usda.gov]
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2015 10:05 AM
To: Benson, Matthew - FNS
Subject: 2015 USDA Farm to School Census Webinar

 

An Overview of the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census Webinar

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 – 1 pm EST

 

This webinar will provide an overview of the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census, including information about the Census questionnaire, process and timeline for data collection and analysis. State agencies and other interested farm to school stakeholder groups should plan to participate.

 

To participate in the webinar on March 3, 2015
• Log on to the following website: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=48KMDQ&role=attend 

• Call into the following phone number:  1-888-324-7121
• Once on the phone, enter participant passcode: 3644145

 

Participation
This session will be available via Microsoft Office LiveMeeting (webinar) and is free to all participants. You do not need to pre-register.  You will need access to a telephone line and a computer with internet access for this webinar. The audio for this webinar will be recorded and will come through the phone (not the computer). In order to participate in the webinar, you will need to have Java installed on your computer system, as well as the Microsoft LiveMeeting 2007 Client. We recommend you download the client before the actual meeting so there will be no lapse in time in your participation. The client can be downloaded from this website: https://www307.livemeeting.com/cc/usdafns/join?id=NG56HR&role=attend&pw=P8.M%2Ck%2Fpj.

 

Recording
This webinar will be recorded and made available online in March.

 

Questions?
If you have questions regarding the presentation or webinar logistics, please contact Matthew Benson at matthew.benson@fns.usda.gov or (202) 720-6740.

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

 

Free Teacher Training in Sault Ste. Marie - March 3rd

Join MSU Extension for Siting, Planning and Funding Your School Garden on Tuesday, March 3rd. Workshop runs 9:00am - 3:00pm at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District building in Sault Ste. Marie.

Training is FREE and open to all teachers, parents & school garden volunteers! Thanks to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Health Department the training is free, lunch is provided and each school will receive a copy of How to Grow a School Garden. SCECH credits are available.

To register email kathryn.o'donnell@foodcorps.org or call (906) 635-6368.

What does a school garden involve? What does it cost? How do we get started?
Learn to design a school garden project which will be climatically appropriate, realistic in implementation feasibility, fundable, sustainable, and successfully integrated into your learning community! Experienced U.P. hoop builders will share siting considerations as well as introducing different designs and estimated costs for structure. Examples of design and utilization challenges and achievements from existing U.P. school garden projects will be highlighted. Learn about strategies for engaging youth, families, community and developing plans for use. Training will cover school garden grants, how to tell your garden story to potential funders, and other garden and farm to school based fundraising.

See attached flyer with agenda and speakers list for more information.

--

Kathryn O'Donnell

FoodCorps Service Member
MSU Extension Chippewa County
MSU Extension Food Systems Working Group
Office: (906) 635-6368 Cell: (906) 280-1786
kathryn.o'donnell@foodcorps.org

  

2015 Michigan Junior Chef Competition

 

The 2015 Michigan Junior Chef Competition is underway!!

 

Fresh, local foods, creativity, and teamwork will give you an edge in this

fun-filled recipe contest and cooking competition!

 

First, student teams submit recipes that are fit for a healthy school breakfast meal and

feature local, seasonal foods. Recipe contest submissions due by March 25, 2015.

 

Next, up to 8 teams will be selected to bring their recipes to life in a cook-off

competition at Michigan State University on May 13, 2015.

 

Open to all 7th-12th grade students enrolled in Michigan schools. Teams must

consist of 3-4 students and at least one adult coach.

 

For additional details:

·       Visit https://sites.google.com/site/michiganjrchef/ for rules and more information.

·        Take a look at the attached promotional flyer.

·        Register for an informational conference call March 10 at 10am: http://ow.ly/J1MKK  or March 12 at 2pm: http://ow.ly/J1MXw

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan Team Nutrition

Nick Drzal (drzaln@michigan.gov), Whitney Vance (VanceW@michigan.gov) and Emily Purves (PurvesE@michigan.gov)

 

 

 

 

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

 

MIFMA is Hiring a Hoophouses for Health Program Manager

Please share this position posting widely.  

The Hoophouses for Health Program Manager will focus on administering and expanding the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) Hoophouses for Health program coordinated by the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and the MSU Department of Horticulture. The application deadline is February 28, 2015, or until a suitable candidate is identified. The application process is explained in detail online at http://mifma.org/2015/02/mifma-seeking-a-hoophouses-for-health-program-manager/.  The position will begin in March 2015.

Position Duties:

• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with all farmers market sites and community distribution partners participating in Hoophouses for Health
• Develop processes for and track voucher distribution and redemption in all participating communities
• Provide information, support, training and technical assistance for eligible community, school and early care partners, farmers markets and farmers
• Facilitate and organize meetings with program partners to ensure cooperation and support implementation at the local level including monthly program wide conference calls
• Identify and develop relationships with nutrition educators and nutrition education programs in close proximity to program partners
• Develop content for program promotional materials and distribute program information
• Develop resources, publications, webinars and presentations
• Document and share program work and accomplishments, maintain regular internal and external communication about program activities, and develop and report on an annual plan of work
• Represent Hoophouses for Health at local and state meetings with ability to travel required
• Participate in relevant MIFMA and CRFS work as interest and time allows
• Report to and collaborate with project principal investigators and evaluators

Thank you for helping us find the right person for this opportunity,

Dru

Dru Montri, Ph.D.

Director

Michigan Farmers Market Association

 

480 Wilson Road, Room 172D

East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517-432-3381

Fx: 517-353-7961

www.mifma.org

Michigan Vendor Webinar on 2/24 - USDA Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables

Attention Michigan farmers and food vendors,

 

Please see information below about an upcoming webinar that may be of interest to Michigan suppliers of minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

 

In December 2014, the USDA announced eight states selected to participate in a new Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables –and Michigan was one of them! According to the initial press release from the USDA, “this pilot is designed to support the schools’ pre-existing relationships with vendors, growers, produce wholesalers, and distributors, and increase the use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables in school meal programs. While the pilot does not require sourcing locally grown foods, the project will enable schools to increase their use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from AMS authorized vendors. Unprocessed fruits and vegetables include products that are minimally processed such as sliced apples, baby carrots, and shredded lettuce.” Visit the project website for more information and learn more about vendor qualifications in this information sheet.

 

The USDA is now reaching out to potential food vendors of minimally-processed fruits and vegetables for this program in each participating state.

They will host a webinar for interested Michigan-based food vendors on Tuesday, February 24^th from 2 – 3 pm.

 

Register here to participate in the webinar.

 

Then, at the appointed time, please use this link to view the webinar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=2MG7WJ&role=attend&pw=H%3C5%25%3F.Dsc; Meeting ID: 2MG7WJ; Entry Code: H<5%?.Dsc

To hear the webinar, please dial: 888-324-6921, Passcode: 2987579

 

The webinar agenda follows:

·     Introduction – Pilot Objectives and Key Players

·     Pilot Process

·     Vendor Eligibility Requirements

·     Application Submission

·     Transaction/Distribution Scenarios

·     Invoice Submission and Payment

·     Reporting

·     Q&A

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

 

Urban Farmer Tune Up programs in Flint and Novi this spring - a location update!

We have an update on the Urban Farmer Tune Up programs in Flint and Novi this March – the Flint workshop location will now be at the new Flint Farmers Market!

 

Urban Farmer Tune-Up Workshops this spring!

 

Join us for a comprehensive look at produce growing to either hone your current skills, develop new strategies, or better understand weeds and diseases.

This class is for anyone growing produce (or wishing to) in urban environments. 

The same workshop will be offered on two different days – in Flint on Friday March 20 and in Novi on Saturday March 21, hosted by MSU Extension.

 

DAY:      March 20, 2015 - Flint

               March 21, 2015 - Novi

 

TIME: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm – the morning track is 9am – 12pm; and the afternoon track is 1pm-4pm; lunch (12pm-1pm) is included with full day registration

 

LOCATION: 

Friday, MARCH 20TH, 2015: Flint Farmer’s Market, 300 E. First St., Flint, MI 48502 – co-sponsored by MSU Extension- Genesee and Flint Food Works!!!

Saturday, MARCH 21, 2015:  MSU Extension Tollgate Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI 48377

 

FEE:   $35.00 Full day / $20.00 Half day; Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT: http://events.anr.msu.edu/urbantuneup/

Program brochure is available at the registration link above!

 

AGENDA:  

Morning Track:

  Urban soils and preparing a new site

  Extending the season

  Cover crops to build the soil

   Food safety & post-harvest handling

 

Afternoon Track:

   Diagnosing Vegetable Insect Pests

   Disease Management

   Organic Weed Management

   Honey Bee Colony Management

 

If you have any questions on the Flint program, please call 810-244-8530; Novi program, please call 248-347-0269.

 

Hope to see you there!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Terry McLean

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

FoodCorps MI Host Site Supervisor

605 N. Saginaw, Suite 1A, Flint 48502

Office: 810-244-8530

Cell: 810-938-8818

mcleant@anr.msu.edu

http://news.msue.msu.edu 

 

Research and education delivered locally

 

 

School Garden Workshop in Traverse City

STARTING AND SUSTAINING A SCHOOL GARDEN

Come understand the steps to plan, maintain and run a school garden while integrating garden activities into your curriculum to meet state standards. From gardening basics to building a garden team as well as curriculum activities, this workshop is designed for hands-on educators interested in gaining the technical knowledge necessary to start a garden. Learn how to engage your students in the outdoor classroom or choose to bring the concepts indoors. School garden hands-on activities are presented as a strategy for meeting curriculum content expectations as outlined in the Common Core State Standards.

 

DAY: Thursday, February 27, 2015

TIME:  Event begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.  Sign in begins 15 minutes prior to the event. 

LOCATION:  TBAISD Career Tech Center 880 Parsons Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 (231)922-6273 

FEE:   $75.00 Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT:    http://events.anr.msu.edu/tbagardenworkshop/ 

REGISTER BY:  February 19, 2015

SCHECHs provided upon approval

Lunch provided

Pre-registration required

For more information, contact Cathy Meyer at cmeyer@tbaisd.org  or  (231) 922-6338

For information about partial scholarships, please contact Kristine Hahn at hahnk@msu.edu or 248-802-4590

 

Kristine Hahn

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

Eastern Market Office

1445 Adelaide

Detroit, MI 48207

313-567-9701

248-802-4590 (CELL)

313-567-8726 (FAX)

NEW LOCATION and phone number

 

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit."  Aristotle

 

Upcoming workshops

STARTING AND SUSTAINING A SCHOOL GARDEN

Come understand the steps to plan, maintain and run a school garden while integrating garden activities into your curriculum to meet state standards. From gardening basics to building a garden team as well as curriculum activities, this workshop is designed for hands-on educators interested in gaining the technical knowledge necessary to start a garden. Learn how to engage your students in the outdoor classroom or choose to bring the concepts indoors. School garden hands-on activities are presented as a strategy for meeting curriculum content expectations as outlined in the Common Core State Standards.

 

DAY: Thursday, March 5, 2015

TIME:  Event begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.  Sign in begins 15 minutes prior to the event. 

LOCATION:  MSU Tollgate Education Center 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI

48377

FEE:   $75.00 Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT: http://events.anr.msu.edu/schoolgarden/

REGISTER BY:  March 2, 2015

Lunch provided

Pre-registration required

For more information please contact Kristine Hahn, hahnk@msu.edu or 313-567-9701,

ext. 102

Kristine Hahn

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

Eastern Market Office

1445 Adelaide

Detroit, MI 48207

313-567-9701

248-802-4590 (CELL)

313-567-8726 (FAX)

NEW LOCATION and phone number

 

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit."  Aristotle

 

Seeking local leaders: FoodCorps application is open!

To the Michigan Farm to School listserve,

 

As the FoodCorps Michigan Host Site Supervisor, I’m excited to announce that FoodCorps applications are open for new service members for the upcoming program year that begins on September 1, 2015! FoodCorps, a national service organization that connects children in underserved communities to healthy food in order to help them grow up healthy, has opened applications for its fifth annual class of service members. The selected emerging leaders will dedicate one year of full-time public service in school food systems – expanding hands-on nutrition education programs, building and tending school gardens, and bringing high quality local foods into school cafeterias. Here’s a link to a recent article on the current FoodCorps MI program year.

 

Here in Michigan we are recruiting new service members for 5 of the 10 available openings next year, as our current 2^nd year service members will graduate out of the program. There will be two spots available in our Detroit based service sites, two spots available in our Traverse City service site, and one spot in our Sault Ste. Marie service site. We will also be looking to fill the FoodCorps Fellow position for next year (as our current Fellow is term limited), please note that position does require previous experience with the FoodCorps program, either as a service member or a first year Fellow.

 

Please see the information below and share it with your networks, if you would!

If you have any questions, contact myself or Daniel Marbury, our current FoodCorps MI Fellow, at daniel.marbury@foodcorps.org or 231-714-9730.

 

Thanks,

 

Terry

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Terry McLean/MSU Extension Educator

FoodCorps MI Host Site Supervisor

MSUE-Genesee 605 N. Saginaw St. Suite 1A, Flint, 48502

810-244-8530 - office

810-938-8818 - cell

mcleant@anr.msu.edu

http://news.msue.msu.edu 

Click here for more information on the FoodCorps MI Program

Follow us on Facebook!

 

Subject: Seeking local leaders: FoodCorps application is open!

 

To view this email as a web page, go here.

 

January 12, 2015     Dear Friend of FoodCorps, Have you been looking for an opportunity to help improve kids' health? To get your hands dirty? To help your community thrive? To create real, lasting change that tastes as good as a freshly dug carrot and lasts as long as an apple tree?  Become a FoodCorps service member and you could get started on all of those goals in 2015! >> Since September, our current crop of 182 service members has reached over 100,000 kids in limited resource communities around the country, introducing them to sweet potatoes, teaching them how to make hummus, bringing them out into the garden to grow seedlings into hardy greens, and giving them a shot at a healthier future.?????? At the same time, through their service, our members are learning new skills and paving the way towards their future careers as educators, farmers, chefs, and public health advocates. The FoodCorps application is now open. We are seeking up to 210 leaders to help kids in their communities grow up healthy through our three-ingredient recipe for change: food and nutrition education that gives kids the information they need to make smart choices; hands-on activities like gardening and cooking that foster skills and pride around healthy food; and lunch trays filled with nutritious meals from local farms. Read more and apply here >> We hope you'll join us, Curt Ellis Co-Founder and CEO P.S. Know leaders who would be a great fit? Forward this email to them!

This email was sent to: mcleant@anr.msu.edu This email was sent by: FoodCorps 281 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010, We respect your right to privacy - view our policy
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