|
|
Governor Granholm came to the Farmers market hosted on the capital lawn on Thursday. Sometime that day she also had the time to make the following radio address touting the benefits of local food:
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
A healthier lifestyle begins with eating better, and that means including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. If you’re seeking the healthiest and freshest and best-tasting fruits and vegetables, look for ones that are grown right here in Michigan.
Local food is fresher, it tastes better, and it comes from farmland near you. And because many fruits and vegetables can lose up to 50 percent of their nutrients in just five days’ time, buying locally grown food is a healthier choice.
Michigan food producers offer an abundance of high-quality fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. Our state is second only to California in agricultural diversity, making Michigan a key component in the nationwide local foods movement.
To help introduce the public to all the different kinds of wonderful food we produce in Michigan, we partner with local groups like Michigan Food and Farming Systems to host farmers markets on the lawn of the State Capitol. These markets showcase the wide variety of healthy and delicious Michigan food products.
The first farmers market will be next Thursday, July 22. The second farmers market will be September 16. And again, both these farmers markets will be held in front of the State Capitol.
If you can’t attend the markets on the Capitol lawn, try visiting one of the 200 community farmers markets across the state. For a list of markets, go to the Michigan Farmers Market Association website at M-I-F-M-A.org.
That website again is M-I-F as in farmers-M-A.org.
When you purchase locally produced food, you’re helping to support Michigan farmers who provide beautiful and productive open spaces and habitat and who contribute to our tax base and employ local workers.
Michigan’s agri-food sector employs one million people. It contributes more than $71 billion annually to the state economy. Every year, Michigan exports more than $2 billion in agricultural commodities to other states, and another billion dollars worth to countries all over the world.
Buying local foods also boosts the Michigan economy. If every Michigan household spent just $10 a week of its current grocery budget on locally grown and produced foods, it would generate almost $2 billion to circulate within our state economy every year.
So the next time you go grocery shopping, look for Michigan-grown blueberries, peaches, corn, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Not only will the food be fresher and healthier and better tasting, you’ll be helping your neighbors and your community and the Michigan economy.
So for a Pure Michigan experience, buy Michigan-grown and produced foods.
Thank you for listening.
URL to article: http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/governor-granholm-promotes-michigan-agricultural-products-35770.html/print/
Due to all the extra planting, building and general maintenance we’ve been doing I’ve been unable to respond to emails or post anything. Also, our phone and internet have been on the fritz for about a week. Many apologies to those who have emailed us recently, I will be getting back to everyone as soon as possible.
So what’s all this stuff that’s also been taking me away from the farm? Planting of course! Flowers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans carrots, radishes and many other numerous crops have all been planted recently. We’re still waiting for the rain to subside before we even attempt to plant the eggplant and peppers.We’ve also been weeding up a storm; thanks to our great crew the lettuce and beets are now weed free. But, as always, there are still plenty of weeds to be dealt with.
In addition to the weeding and planting, we’ve also been finishing greenhouses and outbuildings and trying to repair the many things that always seem to break just before we need them. A friend also got our largest tractor stuck in a very wet part of our farm, which then set us back by a few days.
All of this then leads up to an important decision about the CSA. After a lot of consideration we’ve decided to push the CSA back by two weeks. We basically just want to make sure that there is enough of everything to go around for those first few weeks.
The first week of CSA is now the week of June 27 and the last week is the week of October 31. We’re sorry if this causes any inconveniences, just email us if you need to make any arrangements.
If you don’t have the space for a garden in your backyard, you can still grow just about anything in containers.
On Saturday, May 8 from 2:00-3:30 the Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Road. Lansing, MI) is hosting a workshop geared toward container veggie gardening.
You’re asked to register for this event by emailing Rita at rita@southlansing.org or calling (517) 374-5700.
Thanks to all of our CSA supporters this year we have reached our Membership Goal!
We are still accepting a few stragglers for the vegetable shares, but we can NO LONGER ACCEPT chicken or fruit share memberships.
If you’re a current CSA member and would like to enroll in the egg program, there are still spaces available, just contact Rebecca.
As an alumni, I feel I have to make a plug for the plant sale.
Saturday until 6pm, Sunday (tomorrow) 10-4pm. At the Plant and Soil Science Building, off from Bogue Street.
Yes, it’s a little early to start investing in plants (just keep them inside for awhile). The real attraction is what the Horticulture Club students work feverishly for weeks on, the design and implementation of an indoor landscape. Basically, every year they pick a theme, and then run with it. Each group of students designs a little piece of the conservatory, and they bring in trees, soil, plants, pavers and make a little indoor garden.
Sounds like a pretty cool event to support old town Lansing…
” The taste and Tour of Old Town is a progressive food sampler and loft tours, Saturday, April 10, from Noon-5 p.m.
Taste & Tour will offer tastes of authentic Mexican cuisine from Pablo’s Panaderia and Famous Taco, gourmet snacks from Carmel Corners and Cravings Popcorn, warm breakfast eats from Golden Harvest, sweet treats from Mama Bear’s Café and Pastry Palette, authentic Thai food from Thailand and pizza and chili from Grand Café Sir Pizza and Olympic Broil.
Taste & Tour of Old Town features tours of lofts not normally open to the public. Some lofts lived in and some available for rent, patrons can see and how these unique spaces make for great living in Lansing. Patrons should check in at the OTCA office the day of the event for a map of tour locations, as they will not be announced until the day of the event.
Patrons have the option of sampling food and viewing lofts for $13 if purchased in advance, $15 day of, and loft tours only for $5. Tickets are available at the OTCA office, located at 1232 Turner St., Grace Boutique, located at 115 E. Grand River Ave., October Moon, located at 119 E. Grand River, and at Pastry Palette, located at 1216 Turner St, all in Old Town, Lansing, Mich. Tickets are available day of at the OTCA office as well.
Taste & Tour of Old Town is a fundraiser for the OTCA, which helps to continue its mission of revitalizing the Old Town district. It is also a great opportunity to introduce family and friends, who may be unfamiliar with Old Town, to the thriving businesses, hip living alternatives and delicious restaurants that contribute to Old Town’s growth and development.”
 Amy at our CSA distribution in East Lansing in 09 The last day to sign up for the CSA is April 15- but there are still shares available for all share types. Hope to see you in May!
If you haven’t heard already, Gov. Granholm has declared Saturday, March 20 as Michigan Meat-Out day, encouraging people to abstain from meat thus promoting a healthier lifestyle. I should say, as I write this on Wednesday night, that this date is still set and she hasn’t completely rescinded her proclamation (even the Senate voted in favor of taking back the resolution).
I feel a little torn over this proclamation (and I mean a little).
Agriculture is a big business in Michigan, in fact it’s agribusiness. Now, perhaps it was wrong for the Governor to single out a group as she did. Many of the politicians are cited as saying that Granholm has never taken the agricultural industry seriously, as the reason for their disgust. True, true… But, the main concern is the fear that this will somehow hurt the livestock industry, which is possible, but highly improbable in my opinion.
I still say she has the right spirit. The point was to get people to eat healthier, and for one day to have one or two meals that don’t center around a slab of meat.
I love meat and I love farmers, but not all meat is created equal either. Since we have such a meat-dependent food system, farmers have had to figure out ways to meet this demand in the cheapest way possible- thus factory farms and CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) which produce huge amounts of pollution and animals that often never see the sun. Also, the last time I even glanced at beef in the supermarket it was from Argentina… So unless you read those labels very carefully you may not even be eating a domestically grown animal, or helping an even semi-local farmer.
Gone are the iconic green pastures spotted with cows, or pigs that live out their lives rooting in the soil. Of course you can still seek out those old fashioned types of production and meat, but that’s not what’s largely available. And, as many of you who have emailed me about where to get local beef know, supply of grass fed animals/meat is often short. The animals take longer to raise, and fewer can be raised per acre… which means in the long run, if we REALLY want our animals to be treated humanely… say it with me… we have to eat less meat!
So why not give up meat for a few meals? It’s healthier for you and the environment and there are some pretty darn good alternatives. My only pet peeve is that Granholm could’ve done this in the summer- then she could’ve made it a “Meat-Out, Veg-In” Day!
It’s time for the Lansing Home and Garden Show, at MSU pavilion from Thursday to Sunday! You can find all sorts of ideas and resources related to the home and garden… Everything from energy saving tactics and landscaping designs to how to preserve vegetables and home remodeling tips. I always loved walking through the sample landscapes built by local design companies. Also, Saturday has lots of kid-friendly activities and price breaks.
Here’s the info:
Times
Thursday, 3pm – 9pm
Friday, 12pm – 9pm
Saturday, 10am – 9pm
Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Price
Adults $8
Children (6-14) $4
5 & Under Free
All kids 14 & under get in FREE before noon on Saturday!
Also, go to their website (and click on times Dates, Times and Admission) to get $2 off.
Click here for their website and directions
All CSAs are not created equal and the more you know the happier you’ll be with your decision.
That’s why when we received the February copy of the LocalHarvest newsletter I was happy to find an article entitled “How to Choose a CSA“. There’s always interesting topics coming from the LocalHarvest idea mill!
So even if you’re just playing around with the idea of joining a CSA, take a look at this article. Ask the questions mentioned and really explore the playing field. Whether or not you choose our CSA, we hope you consider joining with a local farm soon!
|
See our Website for more information on our Farm! www.titusfarms.com
|
