Grassfields Farm Tour this Saturday!

Just a reminder that the Grassfields Farm tour is this Saturday August 30th at 10am. There are still a few more spots available, so if you are interested in signing up for the tour please send an email to membership@westmichigancoop.com.

Grassfields
Saturday August 30th 10:00am
14238 60th Avenue
Coopersville MI, 49404
http://%3ca%20href=/">www.grassfieldscheese.com">http://www.grassfieldscheese.com

Grassfields is a family owned and operated farm that has been in the family since the early 1920s. In 2002, they started making raw-milk cheese (they are the first place in Michigan licensed to make and sell raw milk cheese). They sell seven different varieties of cheese. In Spring 2007, Grassfields was certified Organic.

Things to know:

* Cheesemaking will be going on, as well as a tour on a wagon of the farm!

* Wear closed shoes that can get dirty

* $3.50/person

Information on Mud Lake and Well Orchard farm tours scheduled for September can be found in a previous blog post below.

Menu for the Future Discussion Course

Menu for the Future
Discussion Course

The act of putting into your mouth what the Earth has grown is perhaps your most direct interaction with the Earth. – Frances Moore Lappe

I recently took part in a fascinating course offered by the Earth Institute of West Michigan titled Menu for the Future. I met so many delightful people, had so much fun and learned so much about food that I want to share my experience with other West Michigan Food Coop members.

Our informal, small group (strangers to each other in the beginning) met for an hour and a half each week for 6 weeks to discuss readings from the course book. The course book is composed of articles, book excerpts and short essays organized in chapters around different food themes. The course is intended to promote dialogue, not consensus and allows each participant to bring their own unique perspectives, values and attitudes to the group.

Some of the topics reviewed and debated include: organic vs. local, pesticide protection, industrial agriculture, the value of diversity, additives in your kitchen, slow eating, sustainable food systems and making informed food choices. Because the atmosphere in our group was one of support, respect and trust, we were able to engage in lively discussions which allowed us to evaluate our personal lifestyle choices and the actions we wished continue or perhaps change. We laughed together often as our thoughts were expanded and we developed a sense of community with each other. We have decided to move on together as a group to discuss the Voluntary Simplicity course this fall.

Both of these courses were developed by Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) out of Portland, OR. The local sister institute, Earth Institute of West Michigan (EIWM), and NWEI offer these courses to inspire people to examine our relationship and responsibility for Earth. I found my initial experience so rewarding. I am choosing to take action by co-ordinating the next West Michigan Co-op’s Menu for the Future course this fall for those interested in exploring this tantalizing topic!

Please talk to me at the next coop pick-up date to sign-up for the course or to ask questions.

If you miss me there please email me at amy.heilman@sbcglobal.net

We would like to start one or more groups in September. For further information please log on to http://www.nwei.org/.

Amy Heilman
Member – West Michigan Co-op
616-682-4593

One of our producers is in the news

Just a quick heads up - Groundwell Community Farm, who sells through the Co-op got a nice write up in press.

Read it on Mlive.

2008 Farm Tours

We've set up 3 Farm tours to visit local farms that are involved with the West Michigan Co-op!

Please reserve your spot on the tour by sending an email to membership@westmichigancoop.com. There is limited space and tours will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Grassfields
Saturday August 30th 10:00am
14238 60th Avenue
Coopersville MI, 49404
http://www.grassfieldscheese.com

Grassfields is a family owned and operated farm that has been in the family since the early 1920s. In 2002, they started making raw-milk cheese (they are the first place in Michigan licensed to make and sell raw milk cheese). They sell seven different varieties of cheese. In Spring 2007, Grassfields was certified Organic.

Things to know:

• Cheesemaking will be going on, as well as a tour on a wagon of the farm!


• Wear closed shoes that can get dirty


• $3.50/person

Mud Lake Farm
Saturday September 20th 9:00am
3411 Ottogan Street
Hudsonville MI, 49426
http://www.mudlakefarm.com/

Mud Lake Farm is situated on 40 acres in southern Ottawa county. They are firm believers in sustainable agriculture, and enjoy exploring new ideas to make our farm more sustainable. They do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or growth hormones on our farm. A variety of herbs, greens, and other vegetables are available in season.

Things to know:

• Carpool if possible - we have very limited parking along the right side of the road past our driveway only (please don't park in our neighbor's yard on the left side of the road!!)


• We have a very friendly border collie (she will want everyone to throw her frisbee...), but sometime kids are afraid if they aren't used to dogs


• Wear closed shoes that can get dirty (not a good idea to wear heels, sandals, your best shoes...), especially if you'd like to walk around after the tour. Most of our property is low land, and if there's been much rain it will be wet.

Wells Orchard
Saturday September 27th 9:00-10:00am
O-8993 Kenowa SW
Grand Rapids MI, 49534
http://www.wellsorchards.com/

Wells Orchards is a working family farm located along the Grand River west of Grand Rapids. The family has been raising tree fruit commercially for over 125 years, 88 of those years on this farm. They grow many varieties of tree fruits, including apples, peaches, pears, sweet cherries, and plums along with other crops. Their goal is to provide the highest quality fruit to the public, at reasonable prices, and in a friendly atmosphere.

Things to know:

• The tour of the orchard is free, there is an optional corn maze for $2


• The store will be open and among other things there will be single serving cider portions for $1


• Family friendly!


• Wear closed shoes that can get dirty


• No apple picking allowed

Space is limited for all the farm tours so sign up early!
Email us at membership@westmichigancoop.com

Reviewing your order...

Hey - quick tip from the Tech Guy!

Did you know you can review your order anytime - even after the cycle closes? Just log in, and click "My Basket." It's right by the search box, on the right hand side of the page.

Here you can see what you've ordered, and even print off a copy for your records. Don't worry - the printed page won't have any of those heavy graphics. Just a basic, black and white table of your order, and your totals.

Rock and roll, and thanks for supporting your local producers!

Become a voting member!

I wanted to make everyone aware that there are 2 ways to become a voting member.

Voting Members have a voice in the Co-op by having a vote at the Annual Meetings and Special Membership Meetings called during the year. They are also eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors, when there is a vacancy. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Co-op as a Voting Member please consider one of the two avenues below:

1.) Users of the West Michigan Cooperative may pay $100 to the Co-op to become a lifetime Voting Member of the Co-op. This is in addition to the $35 annual user fee, which must be maintained to remain a lifetime Voting Member.

2.) Users who volunteer five or more times in a calendar year, ending December 31st, will become a Voting Member for the following calendar year. You must volunteer five times every year to maintain a Voting Member status. Every January 1st the volunteer numbers will reset to zero.

This, and all our policies are on the Wiki

What we're up to

As we picked up our 300th paid member today , I started to wonder if everyone was aware of what the Co-op has been up to and how to stay informed.

The best way is to volunteer. You'll get to meet other people who love and shop the co-op. Many of our volunteers and other members are on some of our Committees. The Committees do a tremendous amount of work, like creating the member survey this month.

Another way to keep up is to read the board's meeting minutes. We publish all of them on our wiki.

There you will also find a link to email the board members. If you have questions for them, please feel free to send an email!

Member Survey

When you shop this month, please help us by taking the member survey. It will only take a few minutes and your answers will help us improve your Co-op.

The survey will change every month, so please be sure to take it each time!

Thanks!