Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[HollyDuckFarmer]

The Food Access in Michigan (FAIM) Project is a collaborative research effort across six universities (UM, MSU, UM-Flint, GVSU, LSSU & UW-Madison). The project would like to recruit any willing farmers to voluntarily take part in a farmer focus group where you could discuss your experiences regarding:
- where you currently sell (or would like to sell your products)
- sources of support for Michigan farmers
- ideas of ways to address food insecurity in Michigan- how can we get more of the food you grow to the people in our state who need it most?

The FAIM Project is holding a focus group from 6-8pm on Wednesday April 16th at UM-Flint's Outreach Incubator, located at 432 N Saginaw St (http://www.umflint.edu/outreach/innovation-incubator).. Dinner will be provided to all focus group participants.

If you are interested in participating, you can RSVP by emailing project coordinator Maren Spolum at [email protected]. You can also reach her by phone at 734-615-2602 for more information.

--
Maren Spolum, MPP, MPH
Research Coordinator-Examining Disparities in Food Access/Security in MI
MELDI Coordinator
School of Natural Resources and the Environment
University of Michigan
440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-615-2602
Email: [email protected]
http://meldi.snre.umich.edu/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hoophouses for Sale

(2) 30'x96' Hoophouses For Sale, in the Jackson area:

· Gothic and Quonset styled hoop houses. Roll up sides w/deer netting, roll up zippered doors at each end, louvered ventilation on each end. Also included is drip irrigation.
Please contact Lisa Brown for further information, at: [mailto:[email protected]] or 517.812.7057.

And, please forward to other potentially interested parties.

Thank you,

Terri Novak
Michigan Energy Office
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
300 N. Washington Square | Lansing, MI 48913
Office: 517.930.3170
[email protected]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cottage to Commercial: Ingredients for a successful food business
Cottage to Commercial training will help you understand how to turn your food business idea into a commercial reality.
March 28, 2014 | Joanne Davidhizar | Michigan State University Extension andMSU Product Center educators will conduct food business planning classes April 10 in Allegan, and April 29 in Niles, Michigan. The two-hour session will deal with basic food processing, regulatory requirements, business development resources and related topics. The program targets individuals who are interested in starting a licensed, commercial food business. Read more

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Right to Farm Act and Local Zoning - April 24, 2014 | 6:30 - 9 p.m. | Montcalm Intermediate School District, 621 New Street, Stanton, MI 48888

2014 Local Produce Grower's Workshop: Safety, Soil Management, and Sales Networking - April 24, 2014 | 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 - second floor teaching kitchen

---------------------------------------------------------------
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
[email protected]
http://news.msue.msu.edu

Research and education delivered locally

 

[preciouskitty]

Is anyone else's roosters being a bit harder on the hens than usual since it warmed up? I'm seeing more bald spots on backs of heads and at the base of girls' tails this week. Is it a hormonal thing or is my 18mo old boy (who has never ever ever been aggressive to people) trying to get a one way ticket to freezer camp?

Just came in from seeing the girls & noticed the same thing...especially on one of my PRs, both sides at the top of her wings are almost raw. I've seen Bigboy mating and it doesn't SEEM anymore aggressive than last year, but the girls certainly look a little roughed up....

 

[1muttsfan]

Spring weather brings out all the hormonal urges in roosters. They are anxious to pass their genes on to the next generation, and spring is the typical breeding season for fowl. Some chicken breeds lay only during the spring/early summer.

 

[gladahmae]

Spring weather brings out all the hormonal urges in roosters. They are anxious to pass their genes on to the next generation, and spring is the typical breeding season for fowl. Some chicken breeds lay only during the spring/early summer.

That's what I figured, but I wanted to be sure. Makes me feel like I need to make about 20 saddles though. The BOs are looking rough, my one EE is almost bare-back, my Polish IS bare-back and losing tail feathers too (and tips of most of her toes....she seems miserable.....I'll probably cull her as soon as enough frost is out of the ground to bury her.) She also has never had a crest since I put her in the flock. They just pick it out.

AND she barely lays eggs.

In other news, 8 more eggs and they go into the incubator! That means I should be cooking by Sunday afternoon!

 

[JewelsChicks]

June 21.
Check out the links in my signature for more information.

I only have mobile access at this point(iPhone), so I can't see signatures

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Spring weather brings out all the hormonal urges in roosters.  They are anxious to pass their genes on to the next generation, and spring is the typical breeding season for fowl.  Some chicken breeds lay only during the spring/early summer.

And this year has been a hard winter and slow spring... i think it's screwed with the animal's heads too. Can't prove it but they've all been a luttle....odd? Saw my bluebird friend yesterday though, he/she always flies on the power lune near the garden and sings to me, follows me back to the coop and sings in the trees. That one seems normal.
Eagle and hawk have required an almost constant eye in the sky tho and are scaring me. They are wise to ranging time and each time we spot them the next day they try from a bit higher up... i havn't been able to hardly let the birds out and each day i have to do a quick scoop up of them and shove them back in while the eye in the sky watches for opportunity...

 

[Opa]

Yesterday David and I decided to go fishing but due to extremely high water many of the boat launches were under water so instead it wound up being just a road trip. While we were returning home a wheel bearing failed on the trailer resulting in the axle spindle being destroyed. Now the boat is sitting a repair shop in Portland. I spent most of the afternoon today trying to find an axle with no luck. I have since found a company in Livonia that builds them so I will call tomorrow and hopefully be able to get one made quickly. The steelhead should be hitting the streams and I need to be there to meet them.

My flock helped to improve the day by delivering the highest number of eggs this year. 20 eggs from 22 hens. Not a bad total. The best part is that the Vorwerk bantams all laid today. Since I am wanting to raise some replacements it was a welcomed discovery. I will start collecting eggs for 10 days and then toss them in the incubator.

 

[Jomojp]

I hear you Fuzzy!
I have had to almost fight off three vultures pretending they were "sunning" themselves on the roof of our barn, with our ducklings out in front. Earlier in the day a hawk circled a little too close for comfort. I convinced the vultures that they were trespassing and they reluctantly flew away. But I am sure they will come back. Just have to stay vigilant. The ducklings are getting bigger and more confident so that may help. I don't even dare letting the chicks out yet.

 

[1muttsfan]

Too bad about your trailer, Opa - hope the shop is open on Saturday.

Started my incubator yesterday with what I am planning to be my only incubator run this year. Some shipped eggs, and some of my CL eggs.

 

[Leelanau]

Hey northern michigan friends... Two questions for you. 1. Have you ordered from cackle hatchery, and, 2., if so, how many days did it take for your package to arrive? For those of you that used other mail order chicks w/ usps services - where were your chicks shipped from, and on average how long did it take for shipping?

I'm trying to figure out what my best options are...

I don't want to order then have it take 4-5 days and lose all my babies....

I'd be shipping to TC / Cedar post office.... Any thoughts or insights? What is the main usps shipping center up here?