Beginner Farmer Workshop:  Saturday, April 13, 2013.  Paw Paw, Michigan.

Do you own some land that you want to farm, but aren’t sure where to start?  

Michigan State University Extension is offering So You Want to be a CSA? workshop that is designed for new, beginner, and diversifying famers looking for information and inspiration to get them started in Market Farming or as a CSA.  They will help landowners decide how they may use their property with essential information for the beginning agricultural entrepreneur. This dynamic 1-day immersion workshop will be held on Saturday April 13, 2013 at the Van Buren County Human Services conference room 801 Hazen St., Paw Paw, MI.  The all-day workshop will held 8:30AM to 5PM.

The workshop includes information beginning with: where to start, goal setting, creating a business plan, marketing your produce, financial management, and farming law. We will discuss CSA types, soil basics and veggie and fruit production options. We will also learn more about local foods, farm to institution requirements and food hubs. The cost of the workshop is $150 per person ($250 per couple) which includes all class materials and lunch. Participants should finish this workshop with the tools and framework for a workable business and marketing plan. 

You may register online for the So You Want to be a CSA? workshop at http://events.anr.msu.edu/csa13/ or contact MSU Extension at 269-657-8213 for more information. 

The 98th annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Week, hosted by the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is March 2-9.  

Begun in 1982 as Farmers' Week, the event now hosts more than 75 programs and annual association meetings.  The many sessions of possible interest to small-scale farmers include:

Events include:

• Small Flock Poultry Workshop (3/5--presented by MSU Extension/Department of Animal Science)
• Pullorum Certification Workshop (3/5--poultry and game birds except waterfowl and pigeons are required to be blood tested for Pullorum disease before exhibition or movement within the state);
• Michigan Beekeepers Association Conference ( 3/9);
  
• Michigan State Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc., Annual Convention (3/2-3/3);
  
• Michigan Wildflowers Conference (3/3-3/4);
• 84th Michigan State FFA Convention (3/6);
  
• "Small-scale Food Processing and Food Safety Regulations:  Resources, Networks and Guidelines for Current and Prospective Processors" (presented by MDARD and other organizations) (3/4);
  
• Artisanal Cheesemakers' Workshop (3/4).