The Earth Day Celebration at
Earth Day Farmer’s Market
Time:
Location: In front of the
Breathe Owl Breathe Concert
Time:
Location: The Moose Café (located on the first floor of the cook Carriage House) at
Cost: $5
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Earth Day Celebration at Aquinas College
Friday, April 17, 2009
First Annual Master Grilling Cook-Off!
The first annual Master Grilling Cook-Off will take place at Modern Hardware in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 13. Click here to read more about the event.
Interested in becoming involved in the event? They're currently in need of the following:
Interested in becoming involved in the event? They're currently in need of the following:
- 4-person grill teams
- Live music and entertainment
- Local artists
- Restaurants/food vendors
- Sponsors
- Judges
For more information, please contact Rod Glupker at (616) 241-2655 or (616) 291-9558 or by email.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Urban Farming in Ypsilanti
The article, “Collective Efforts,” published in the Detroit Metro Times today describes one family’s quest toward producing sustainable agriculture by way of urban farming.
The article tells the story of Peter Thomason, who lives in downtown Ypsilanti. In his backyard, Thomason grows crops in a new greenhouse which was constructed using recycled materials. In addition, he has a small barn in his backyard which houses chickens, rabbits, and goats.
Click here to read the article.
The article tells the story of Peter Thomason, who lives in downtown Ypsilanti. In his backyard, Thomason grows crops in a new greenhouse which was constructed using recycled materials. In addition, he has a small barn in his backyard which houses chickens, rabbits, and goats.
Click here to read the article.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Extended Shopping Window
Due to the ordering period coinciding with Spring Break we have extended the shopping window for this month until Tuesday April 14th at midnight.
Pick up is on Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd, 5:45-8pm.
Happy Shopping!
Pick up is on Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd, 5:45-8pm.
Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Volunteers Needed!
Help Promote the West Michigan Co-Op by Volunteering for an Event.
The word is getting out about the West Michigan Co-op and we've been invited to participate in a number of events over the next few months! These are great opportunities to inform people about the co-op and benefits of eating locally and supporting our local farmers and economy.
But we need your help!! Would you be willing to volunteer at one or more of these events? They each involve the WM Co-op having a table/booth to hand out pamphlets, talk about the co-op, and sell co-op T-shirts and bags. Two people will be scheduled for each shift.
The shift times vary, and feel free to offer to work a double (the shifts aren't very long)! :) I can provide you with further specifics on the event(s) that you are available to help with and any necessary information/training.
Many of these events need a commitment from us within the next couple weeks, so please let us know ASAP if you are willing to help out! Please respond to tara@westmichigancoop.com.
- When: Saturday April 18th
What: Grand Rapids Public Library Indoor Farmers Market
Where: Downtown Library
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 3:00pm
- When: Saturday April 18th
What: Kent District Library Green Living Fair
Where: EGR Library
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 2:00pm
- When: Sunday April 19th
What: WMEAC Earth Week Expo - Richie Hovens concert
Where: Fountain St. Church
Shifts: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
9:00pm - 10:00pm
- When: Wednesday April 22nd
What: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber's Staff Earth Day Celebration
Where: 1515 Arboretum Dr. SE
Shift: 11:30am - 1:30pm
- When: Wednesday April 29th
What: Clark Retirement Village event
Where: 2250 East Paris SE at their Cultural Center
Shifts: 11:00am - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 3:30pm
- When: Thursday April 30th
What: Lakeside Elementary Earth Week Local Business Expo
Where: Lakeside Elementary School - 2325 Hall SE
Shift: 8:30am - 9:30am
- When: Wednesday May 20th
What: State Farm Insurance Health & Fitness Day
Where: TBA
Shifts: 10:00am - noon
noon - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 5:00pm
- When: Saturday June 20th
What: Water Festival
Where: Riverside Park
Shifts: 10:30am - 12:30pm
12:30pm - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 4:30pm
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Please respond to tara@westmichigancoop.com if you're interested in volunteering.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Write your Congress Critters
Typically, the Co-op Blog doesn't comment on political issues; we generally don't want to present any kind of bias viewpoint. Local and Sustainable Food isn't a party issue - so bias wouldn't be necessary.
In this case, there's an unusual situation. The House currently has a bill sitting in the House Committee on Agriculture (HR 875) which regulates food safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Undoubtedly, this title was chosen so that we can all feel safer about our peanut butter.
The bill, however, dictates significant new powers to the Federal Government to regulate our food system. While this is probably good in some cases - like the aforementioned peanut butter - it can have a detrimental effect on our small-scale, local growers.
I would highly recommend that you read the text of the bill, over at OpenCongress.org.
The bill regulates food processing facilities (like slaughterhouses, packaging plants, and warehouses), and many of these regulations may be acceptable.
However, the bill also regulates food production facilities - which it defines as "any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation" - Section 3, Paragraph 14.
Section 206 of the bill is the specific regulation on Food Production Facilities, where it defines the powers of the Federal Government to regulate the use of fertilizers, nutrients, packaging, etc.
It does not, however, give details of the kinds of fertilizers that would be regulated, or possibly required, for food production. It also doesn't specify exemptions for small-scale farms. It puts several new regulations on safety practice documentation.
The letter of this law concerns me. Its intent is noble, I'm sure - we all want our food to be safe. But, you shouldn't need to employ a lawyer and a science team to be allowed to grow and sell carrots. I urge you to take a look at the bill. You can coment on it at OpenCongress.org, or better yet - write Rep. Mark Schauer from Michigan, our representative on the House Committee of Agriculture.
At a minimum, I think there are some serious questions about this bill. Read it and let us know what you think!
In this case, there's an unusual situation. The House currently has a bill sitting in the House Committee on Agriculture (HR 875) which regulates food safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Undoubtedly, this title was chosen so that we can all feel safer about our peanut butter.
The bill, however, dictates significant new powers to the Federal Government to regulate our food system. While this is probably good in some cases - like the aforementioned peanut butter - it can have a detrimental effect on our small-scale, local growers.
I would highly recommend that you read the text of the bill, over at OpenCongress.org.
The bill regulates food processing facilities (like slaughterhouses, packaging plants, and warehouses), and many of these regulations may be acceptable.
However, the bill also regulates food production facilities - which it defines as "any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation" - Section 3, Paragraph 14.
Section 206 of the bill is the specific regulation on Food Production Facilities, where it defines the powers of the Federal Government to regulate the use of fertilizers, nutrients, packaging, etc.
It does not, however, give details of the kinds of fertilizers that would be regulated, or possibly required, for food production. It also doesn't specify exemptions for small-scale farms. It puts several new regulations on safety practice documentation.
The letter of this law concerns me. Its intent is noble, I'm sure - we all want our food to be safe. But, you shouldn't need to employ a lawyer and a science team to be allowed to grow and sell carrots. I urge you to take a look at the bill. You can coment on it at OpenCongress.org, or better yet - write Rep. Mark Schauer from Michigan, our representative on the House Committee of Agriculture.
At a minimum, I think there are some serious questions about this bill. Read it and let us know what you think!
Monday, March 16, 2009
10 Ways to Become More Involved
Interested in taking part in the inter-workings of the West Michigan Co-op? There is a lot that takes place behind the scenes on a monthly basis to make it possible to acquire great delicious local food & products year round! And we can use your help! Here are 10 ways to become more involved:
1.) Join the Vision Committee! They are meeting tonight at 6pm at the Co-op location - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and check it out or contact Tom Cary if you are interested.
*Future Growth
*Research options for expansion, including logistics, costs, rate of
growth, etc.
2.) Join the Membership Committee! This committee will be meeting on Monday March 23rd, 6pm at the Co-op - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and join us or contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in more information.
*Volunteer & pick-up coordination
*Address issues that arise concerning members and volunteers
*Determine guidelines & policies that pertain to membership
*Increase volunteer base
*Volunteer on pick-up nights & help supervise
*Come up with ideas on how the pick-up can be more efficient
*Create & update the Membership Handbook
3.) Join the PR Committee! Contact Lisa Nelson for meeting dates and further information.
*Outreach/Education
*Work to increase co-op membership
*Attend events, hand out brochures, talk about the co-op
*Plan co-op events, advertisements, flyers, etc.
*Blog relevant information concerning events & education
*Plan and coordinate farm tours
4.) Join the Product Committee! Contact Paul DeLeeuw for meeting dates and further information.
*Use programming skills to update and make changes to our website
*Review site to make sure all of the information is current and
relevant
*Maintain entries on the blog
*Add information and keep the Wiki up to date
6.) Volunteer on Pick-up nights! The March pick-up is Wed. March 25th. Contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in helping out!
7.) Volunteer for Co-op events! There are numerous events coming up that we will have a presence at. If you are interested in helping to promote the WM Co-op at these events please contact Tara Simmons.
8.) Attend board meetings and/or review meeting minutes online! Board meeting dates for 2009 can be found on our calendar and minutes are posted regularly.
9.) Regularly check the Co-op Calendar! Here you will find all the
important dates, including ordering periods, pick-up dates, meetings
and events.
10.) Help spread the word! Tell family and friends and everyone you
meet about the West Michigan Co-op! Send them to
www.westmichigancoop.com!
1.) Join the Vision Committee! They are meeting tonight at 6pm at the Co-op location - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and check it out or contact Tom Cary if you are interested.
*Future Growth
*Research options for expansion, including logistics, costs, rate of
growth, etc.
2.) Join the Membership Committee! This committee will be meeting on Monday March 23rd, 6pm at the Co-op - 1111 Godfrey SW. Come and join us or contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in more information.
*Volunteer & pick-up coordination
*Address issues that arise concerning members and volunteers
*Determine guidelines & policies that pertain to membership
*Increase volunteer base
*Volunteer on pick-up nights & help supervise
*Come up with ideas on how the pick-up can be more efficient
*Create & update the Membership Handbook
3.) Join the PR Committee! Contact Lisa Nelson for meeting dates and further information.
*Outreach/Education
*Work to increase co-op membership
*Attend events, hand out brochures, talk about the co-op
*Plan co-op events, advertisements, flyers, etc.
*Blog relevant information concerning events & education
*Plan and coordinate farm tours
4.) Join the Product Committee! Contact Paul DeLeeuw for meeting dates and further information.
*Use programming skills to update and make changes to our website
*Review site to make sure all of the information is current and
relevant
*Maintain entries on the blog
*Add information and keep the Wiki up to date
6.) Volunteer on Pick-up nights! The March pick-up is Wed. March 25th. Contact Tara Simmons if you are interested in helping out!
7.) Volunteer for Co-op events! There are numerous events coming up that we will have a presence at. If you are interested in helping to promote the WM Co-op at these events please contact Tara Simmons.
8.) Attend board meetings and/or review meeting minutes online! Board meeting dates for 2009 can be found on our calendar and minutes are posted regularly.
9.) Regularly check the Co-op Calendar! Here you will find all the
important dates, including ordering periods, pick-up dates, meetings
and events.
10.) Help spread the word! Tell family and friends and everyone you
meet about the West Michigan Co-op! Send them to
www.westmichigancoop.com!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)