CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2002

3/9                           Estate Planning & Small
                                Business/Farm Transfers
                                Milton Twp. Hall
                                Call 231-533-8818

3/12                        Emergency Planning for Farms
                                 NW Mich Hort Res Station

3/13                        Farm Safety Meeting
                                 NW Mich Hort Res Station

3/13                        Farm Worker Management Program
                                 NW Mich Hort Res Station

3/13-14                   Benzie-Manistee Hort Show
                                Crystal Mountain Resort

3/18                        CIAB Grower Meetings
                                9:00 a.m. - Peninsula Twp. Hall
                                1:00 p.m.- Milton Twp. Hall
                                7:00 p.m. - NWMHRS

3/19                         CIAB Grower Meeting
                                10:00 a.m. – Sail Inn, Benzonia

3/20                        Cover Crops Workshop
                                 Kellogg Center, MSU

3/22                        Climate Change & Agriculture in
                                the Great Lakes Region
                                 Kellogg Center, MSU

3/26                        ESA Fruit Session
                                 Kellogg Center, MSU

4/11,4/18, 4/25,     Tractor Safety Course
5/2, 5/4                   TBA Career Tech Center

4/5                          Biocontrol of Fruit Pests in
                               NW Michigan Orchards
                                NW Mich Hort Res Station

4/12                        Dr. Alan Jones Retirement Symposium & Dinner
                                Kellogg Center, MSU
 

BIOCONTROL OF FRUIT PESTS IN NW MICHIGAN ORCHARDS
By Jim Nugent, Gary Thornton, and Duke Elsner

The current and future role of biocontrol in fruit pest management will be the topic for a one day seminar to be held at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station. This program will be of particular interest to area growers and consultants which manage IPM programs in tree and small fruits.

Please plan to join us and learn about how your day-to-day operations such as weed spraying, chemical selection and mowing can have an impact on biological controls and your overall pest management strategies. Significant primary and secondary pests, such as internal fruit feeders, leafrollers, leafhoppers, mites, aphids, leafminers and nematodes can be affected in significant ways.

When: Friday, April 5th9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Where: NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station

Registration: $15 includes lunch

RSVP by March 29th to Jackie or Alison at the NWMHRS, 946-1510 or 888-749-3019.

Invited Speakers include: Dr. Dave Prokrym, USDA APHIS, Drs. Mark Whalon, George Bird, Larry Gut, Rufus Isaacs and Duke Elsner of Michigan State University, and area fruit growers and consultants.

Sponsored by MSU Extension and the NW Michigan Integrated Fruit Systems Think Tank.
 

ZERO INTEREST LOAN PROGRAM
By Glenn Kole, District Farm Management Agent

The Michigan State legislature passed "HB-4009", which allocates $210,000,000 statewide for loans to farmers suffering from "agriculture disasters".

All counties in the state are apparently qualifiable; loan amounts are based on the value of the "direct" loss from an "agricultural disaster", up to a maximum of $300,000 per operation, or $150,000 per individual, partnership, or corporation. Qualifying loans are set up on a 5-year pay out plan, with payments required beginning after 2 years.

Minimum eligibility is based on "crop" loss, and is set at either:

1) 25% or more loss in all crops, or

2) 50% or more loss in one crop.

Qualifying ag disasters are apparently not limited to drought (which is the primarily reason this legislation was completed).

Commercial ag banks and Farm Credit Services will reportedly be handling these loans. Michigan Dept of Treasury says they hope to get initial paper work to FCS offices and banks by March 18.

Beyond this early information, questions should be directed to your local commercial bank or FCS Ag. loan officers after March 18.

EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR THE FARM
Dan Busby, G.T. Conservation Dist.

The NW Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program and other local agencies are sponsoring a program called "Emergency Planning for the Farm" on Tuesday, March 12th. Participants can attend either a session from noon - 2:30 at the Kingsley Sportsman Hall in Kingsley, Grand Traverse County or from 6:00-8:30 pm at the NW MI Horticulture Research Station in Leelanau County. There is no charge for this program and lunch/dinner will be provided compliments of Leelanau County & G.T. County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Two (2) RUP recertification credits have been applied for.

The agenda includes emergency planning for the farm video & review, Why do you need an Emergency Plan?, SARA Title III Emergency Planning, Spill Response, What is done with the Emergency Plan.

Speakers include Dan Busby, MI Groundwater Stewardship Program, Dick Catton, Leelanau Co. Emergency Mgt. Coordinator, Jamel Anderson, GT Co. Emergency Mgt. Coordinator, Ginger Bardenhagen, Environmental Stewardship, Tom Skowronski, Leelanau Co. LEPC Chairman and Wayne Hanna, G.T. Co. LEPC Chairman.

For more information or to register for the program, contact Dan Busby at 231/941-4191 or 231/883-9962.
 

CLIMATE CHANGE & AGRICULTURE IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION: The Potential Impacts & What We Can Do

A workshop on the potential impacts to agriculture of climate change in the Great Lakes Region will take place on Friday, March 22nd, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Center, MSU. Climate change could affect the Great Lakes in many ways, with implications for the economy and quality of life in the region. Many of the anticipated changes would have an influence on agriculture. At this workshop the most current research findings from the Great Lakes Regional Assessment will be shared. The workshop will provide a forum where farmers, fruit growers and representatives from leading agricultural corporations will discuss the role of climate on their industries. For more information contact Jeanne Bisanz at 248/851-2316 or bisanz@msu.edu.

COVER CROPS WORKSHOP

The Center for Integrated Plant Systems would like to invite you to a workshop on cover crops on Wednesday, March 20th, at the Kellogg Center, MSU. Cover crops can play an important role for Michigan agriculture. They can improve soil quality, enhance nutrient cycling and influence pest populations. Interest in cover crops has been spurred by increasing concerns about the environmental impact of conventional agricultural practices. This workshop will provide an update on Michigan State University’s cover crop research. Two nationally recognized speakers will share their expertise on cover crops and help us to plan for the future direction of cover crop research and Extension at Michigan State University. This seminar is focused on field crop systems, not fruit systems.

CCA and Pesticide Recertification Credits have been submitted. There will be a $10.00 registration fee charged for the workshop that includes breaks, lunch and parking. Pre-registration is necessary to assure adequate accommodations. Please call Maxine Schafer at 517/353-9430 to register.

Additional information regarding the workshop can be found at http://www.cips.msu.edu/cips/workshops.htm
 

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA MEETING

Michigan State University is hosting the North Central Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) March 24-27 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. On Tuesday, March 26, two programs are being conducted that will be of special interest to fruit growers. The morning program is organic approaches to insect management in fruit in the Midwest. The afternoon program is biology and management of beetles in fruit. The meeting will end by 5:00 p.m.

Single-day registration can be done on-site and will cost $30 for the whole day. More information on the program and venue of this meeting is available online at http://esa.ent.iastate.edu/ or call Chris DiFonzo at 517/353-5328.
 

TRACTOR SAFETY COURSE
Jim Bardenhagen, County Extension Director

The 2002 Tractor Safety Course will be starting on Thursday, April 11th from 6-9 pm at the TBA Career Tech Center at 880 Parsons Road in Traverse City. The rest of the sessions will be held on Thursdays April 18, 25, & May 2 from 6-9 pm at the same location. The written/driving test will be held on Saturday, May 4th from 8 am – 3 pm. The cost is $50. Participants must attend all five sessions, pass a written test and pass a tractor driving test to become certified.

This course is for youth 14 and 15 years old (as of June 1,2002). Please note that in order for 14 and 15 year old non-family youth to drive tractors on farms, they need a certificate that they have passed a tractor safety course.

Use the enclosed registration form, or obtain one at our website www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau or call the Leelanau MSU Extension Office (256-9888) or the Career Tech Center (922-6353). Registration forms will also be sent to area schools.

We really appreciate the effort that Bill Bassett and Dave Fortine at CTC put forth to make this course possible to our youth!
 
 

ANNOUNCING…..

TRACTOR SAFETY TRAINING

FOR 14 AND 15 YEAR OLD YOUTH!

Improve your chances of employment this summer by completing a Tractor Safety Training course! If you are a teen, 14 or 15 years old (as of June 1, 2002), then you are eligible to take the Tractor Safety training course being offered for youth in the Northwest Michigan area.

Under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupation Order, successful completion of a tractor operation and safety course is required for all youth under the age of 16 who perform farm jobs classified as hazardous. Such a course will be held at the Career Tech Center, 880 Parsons Road, Traverse City.

Course: Bill Bassett Instructor

Thursdays, April 11, 18, 25 and May 2 from 6 – 9 p.m. and

Saturday, May 4th from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

To become certified, participants must attend all five sessions of the course, pass a written test, and pass a tractor driving test. Growers and MSU Extension agents will be assisting with the hands on tractor safety training.

Cost for the program is $50 which is due at the time of registration. Registration deadline is Friday, March 29 and is limited to 22 participants on a first-come, first-served basis (you will be notified only if the class is filled.) The cost covers the course manual. Participants should dress to be outdoors. For Saturday, May 4, please bring a sack lunch.

This Tractor Safety training program is a joint effort between Career Tech Center, TBAISD Adult Education with Michigan Works!, MSU Extension and Northwest area growers. Previously, this course was offered by the 4-H Youth Program in each county.

If you have any questions, please contact the MSU Extension Offices in Leelanau County (256-9888) and Grand Traverse County (922-4620) or the Adult Education Office located at the Career Tech Center (922-7826).

---------------------------------------------------------cut here ------------------------------------------------------
 
 

2002 Tractor Safety Registration
 
 

NAME _____________________________________Phone _____________________

Address_______________________________________________________________
(Street or route and Box) (City, State and Mich)

Date of Birth _______________ Sex __________ Ethnic Origin __________________
              (Month-Day-Year)              (Male or Female)                          (Optional)

Do you live on a farm?   Yes   No       Do you have a disability?   Yes    No

Return form along with $50 by Friday, March 29, 2002

TO: TBA Career Tech Center
Attn: Chris Forsyth
880 Parsons Road
Traverse City, MI 49686

Make check Payable to: TBA Career Tech Center

Registration fee is non-refundable (unless class is cancelled due to low enrollment).

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution

---------------------------------------------------------cut here ------------------------------------------------------

FARM SAFETY MEETING
Jim Bardenhagen, MSU Extension

Date: Wednesday, March 13th, 2002

Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 noon

Location: NW MI Horticultural Research Station

Cost: $5.00 for materials & refreshment. MSU Extension & Michigan Farm Bureau are conducting this meeting via a grant from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

Topics to be covered:

  • Utilizing checklists to assure pesticide applicator & equipment operator safety
  • Understanding respirator fit testing
  • Evaluating forklifts & front end loaders for safety features
  • Skid Steer Safety & Operator Survey
  • How injury and accident reporting benefits agriculture
Attendees will receive two (2) pesticide re-certification credits in addition to safety checkout lists and general training guide for the equipment discussed.

The resource people will be: Craig Anderson, Farm Bureau RCAP; Howard Doss, MSU Ag Engineering Dept; Rebecca Hines, MSU Extension Pesticide Research & Education Dept.

Lunch, catered by Cedar Valley Ranch, is also available for $10 immediately following this program.

A Farm Worker Management Session will follow this session at 1pm.

To register for the Farm Safety Meeting & lunch, call the Leelanau MSU Extension Office (231-256-9888) or fill in the registration form below and send the form and a check to the Leelanau MSU Extension office.

---------------------------------------------------------cut here ------------------------------------------------------

FARM SAFETY MEETING REGISTRATION

NAME: ______________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________

PHONE: _____________________________________________________

____ Meeting cost (s) @ $5.00 ________

____ Lunch (s) @$10 ________ Total ________ Make checks payable to and send to:

MSU Extension-Leelanau
116 Philip St.
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

---------------------------------------------------------cut here ------------------------------------------------------
 

FARM WORKER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Jim Bardenhagen, MSU Extension

Date: Wednesday, March 13th, 2002

Time: 1:00 to 4:30 pm

Location: NW MI Horticultural Research Station

Cost: $10 to cover handouts, worker protection guide instructions & refreshments

Topics to be covered:

1:00 - 1:15         Recent Agency Actions & Inspections – Findings
                           Craig Anderson, Farm Bureau RCAP

1:15 – 2:00        How to Effectively Implement Employee Communication and
                            Feedback
                            Vera Bitsch, Human Resource Specialist, MSU Ag Econ Dept

2:00 – 3:00        Recruitment/Hiring Procedures & Process

    • Watch live scenarios with Jim Bardenhagen, Craig Anderson 
              and Vera Bitsch
    • Sharing by growers on what’s worked
3:00 – 3:20       Break

3:20 – 4:20       Pesticide Issues Based on MDA Inspections
                           (Will cover: signage, training, central board, maps, ppe,
                           drift management/written plans)
                           Craig Anderson, Farm Bureau RCAP

4:20 – 4:30       Wrap Up

One (1) Pesticide Re-certification credit has been applied for.

Lunch, catered by the Cedar Valley Ranch, is also available from 12 – 1pm for $10 before this program.

To register for the Farm Worker Management Program & lunch, call the Leelanau MSU Extension Office (231-256-9888) or fill in the registration form below and send the form and a check payable to Leelanau MSU Extension.

Also please note on the registration form any specific labor issues or problems you would like addressed during this session.

---------------------------------------------------------cut here ----------------------------------------------------

FARM WORKER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM REGISTRATION

NAME: ______________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________________

Program cost (s) @ $10 _______________

Lunch (s) @ $10 _______________

Total _______________

Make checks payable to & send to: 
MSU Extension-Leelanau
116 Philip Street
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Labor Issues/Problems you would like addressed:

  • ______________________________________________________
  • ______________________________________________________
  • ______________________________________________________
  • ______________________________________________________
  • ______________________________________________________


Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to: 
Bill Klein, kleinw@pilot.msu.edu

Last Revised: 3-06-02