Photo courtesy of Garden Gate Farm

Resolutions. By definition, to resolve to do something, or not to do something, in some cases. While many make them, few last long. So let’s all resolve to do something that we can actually stick to this year. Let’s try to live a little more locally. It isn’t practical to vow to change everything you eat and buy, but you can start with one thing. Decide to get eggs only from a place where you can meet the chickens. Select honey that shares the same zip code as you. Realize that seasonal foods are best when in season, and wait until you can get them fresh. Little steps like this make a difference to you, your health, your family, your community and especially to the growers and farmers. We can make 2011 a better year for all – and a tastier one too.

–Jena Van Wagner, Executive Director

Michigan Farm Shows

Believe it or not, January can actually be quite a busy month for Michigan farmers. No, they aren’t tilling fields in two (or more) feet of snow, but they are sowing the seeds of new ideas and nurturing connections at two Michigan farm shows.

2011 Michigan Family Farms Conference
Saturday, January 15th, 2011
Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, MI

Rising to the Challenges, Local Farms, Local Food, Local Pride
Come learn how small, family farms are shaping Michigan’s diverse agricultural future and to discuss challenges and growth opportunities for growing farms.

This conference is a great opportunity for small and limited resource farmers to connect with other growers and great resources, network, and learn about community supported agriculture (CSAs), local marketing opportunities, hoophouse production, food safety, alternative energy, organic certification, regulations that may affect farms, urban school gardening, small-scale poultry production, agritourism, and much more. Special youth activities focused on agriculture make this family farms conference truly a family event.

For more information, visit www.miffs.org/mffc or contact MIFFS at 517.432.0712 or miffs@msu.edu.

Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
Grayling High School in Grayling, MI

Walking the Walk: Bold Steps Toward a Regional Food System
The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference serves as a vehicle to promote and build a local vibrant agriculture community, to equip the small farm community with the tools to be successful, and to be a forum for the open exchange of ideas within the small farm community.

More information at www.smallfarmconference.com, or email: smallfarmconference2011@gmail.com, 231-838-8093.

P.K.S. Heirloom Tomatoes

Is a Speckled Siberian a rare bird? Would a Tysgan Gypsy in your yard be a cause for concern? If you possess a Gigantesque do you need to call a doctor?

Actually, each of these is a wonderfully colorful name for heirloom tomatoes and P.K.S. Heirloom Tomatoes sells these and many more varieties.

According to Dean Slater, one of the three partners of P.K.S., red is not the natural color for tomatoes, yellow is.

“I hear people say ‘a tomato is a tomato’ and they couldn’t be more wrong. Each variety and color adds something new.”

P.K.S. sells plants each spring to those interested in all-natural, non-GMO, heirloom seeds. Included in each purchase is the experience all three have with growing these fabulous varieties.

“We’ve gotten letters from Poland and Russia that pretty much say ‘This is the last seed of this kind’,” says Slater. “Most of the time, we bring them back.”

To place your order for plants, view the P.K.S. page at www.MichiganFamilyFarms.com/pks for contact information.

*Michigan Family Farms is happy to announce that we will be sharing some of this amazing seed at our booth at both farm shows. Stop by while supplies last to get your free seed packet and try these amazing varieties.

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To join Michigan Family Farms and/or be featured in this newsletter, please contact jena@michiganfamilyfarms.com or 616.915.5967.