FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

SPECIAL FEATURES

Bonnie's Sustainable Blog- news and views on sustainable farming by publisher Bonnie Bucqueroux

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack answers questions from farmers - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Sen. Debbie Stabenow(D-MI) and Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI) field questions from an audience of farmers about HR 2759, the proposed Food Safety Enhancement Act. Click here for more information on HR 2749 (Food Safety Enhancement) and here for information on HR 875 (Food Safety Modernization).

Showing folks what farming's all about - Michigan State University Extension held a Breakfast on the Farm at Dutch MeadoWs Dairy in St. Johns that drew more than 1,000 visitors. Video by Tina Sarkey

Perennial wheat - Dr. Sieglinde Snapp (Michigan State University) recently received a $1 million grant from USDA to continue her perennial wheat research at the Kellogg Biological Station. Great Lakes Echo reporter Steven Davy reports on the project in this video:

The benefits of perennial wheat include reducing the energy use for planting and protecting the soil, thereby enhancing sustainability. A major challenge is that farmers avoid damage from the Hessian fly by planting after the fly-free date each year, so perennial wheat would not provide that protection.

Food for Thought

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES BELOW - Just type your e-mail address into the form and then press "enter" (this will take you to a page that asks you to type in three characters to avoid spam):

SUE SPAGNUOLO'S DOLCE VITA GOAT DAIRY - SECRETARY TOM VILSACK FACES FARMERS - HOOPHOUSES - RAISING CHICKENS


Suddenly single, with two grown daughters, Sue Spagnuolo faced the daunting challenge of reinventing herself. WIth the help of Michigan State University's Product Center, as well as the foundation of her family's Old World values and her faith in God, Sue launched a new enterprise, Dolce Vita Goat Dairy, producing 60 pounds of chevre goat cheese for sale each week . . . for the full story, click here
Adam Montri in his hoophouse in Bath, Michigan
MSU hoophouse specialist Adam Montri can testify that there has been an explosion of interest in using passive solar (unheated) greenhouses for year-round food production in cold climates. Our ever-expanding section on these marvels offers all the latest on every aspect from construction through planting dates to tips on controlling temperatures. Visit often for new information . . . more

Lisa Ostler's chickens
THINKING OF RAISING CHICKENS? - Lisa Ostler started with just a few, just to have fresh eggs for the family. As her flock grew, she began selling a few dozen eggs to neighbors. She offers information and advice for beginners. . . . more

From the Kellogg Food & Fitness Initiative at Michigan State University - Sustainable Farmer publisher Bonnie Bucqueroux produced these videos for the Food & Fitness Initiative. They illustrate the diversity of sustainable food systems being invented and expanded nationwide.

The Tohono O'odham tribe of Arizona explores reviving food traditions from the past as a solution to today's problems such as obesity among the young . . . more
A new partnership including the Brooklyn Rescue Mission and the New York departments of agriculture and parks and recreation produced a new farmers' market for residents to enjoy . . . more
Foods of Michigan banner