Organic Certification workshop next Friday, April 17th

Take the first step in becoming certified organic. View this email in your browser Organic Certification: Creating the Organic Systems Plan Friday, April 17, 1 to 4pm, Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix Organic farming is ecologically balanced and integrated. Don't be intimidated by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). This workshop walks you thought the systems plan, which is central to certification and the first step to becoming certified organic on your farm. $25 per person, $30 for two from the same farm. REGISTER ONLINE   Funds raised will be used to grow the Hill House artist residency and the farmer residency at Maple Bay Farm—two programs that help turn passion into profession through a gift of time, space and community support. Tickets available online or at the door. Hand Tool Ergonomics Saturday, April 18, 1 to 4pm Golden Rule Farm, Kaleva Ditch your hoe! Craig Schaaf of Golden Rule Farm will lead this hands-on workshop. Learn why double digging is often better than tilling, and get instruction on how to use a broadfork. The American versus the European scythe will be discussed and demonstrated. Lastly, learn how to use rakes and shovels to mark beds and make a layout for quick transplanting. $30 REGISTER ONLINE New Michigan Wild Foraged Mushroom Harvesting Certification Program Saturday, April 25, 8:30am to 5pm, Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center Wild mushrooms, like morels and chanterelles, help define the forests of Michigan and provide potential income streams for foragers, farmers, restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs. But improperly identified, these foods can also pose serious health risks. Michigan's Food Law requires that mushroom species picked in the wild must be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by an approved mushroom identification expert. The program is designed to bring mushroom sellers in line with the regulations, but is also available for anyone who may be responsible for the purchase of mushrooms to be consumed by the general public or sold at retail. This program is a partnership between MDARD, ISLAND, MIFMA and MAMI. Cost: $175 for those wishing to be certified (sellers) or $85 for those who do not need certification. REGISTER ONLINE Share Tweet Forward This is an equal opportunity provider. Copyright © 2015 Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up at www.ARTmeetsEARTH.org or at an ISLAND event. Our mailing address is: Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND) 5870 Cottage Drive Bellaire, MI 49615 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences