Titus Farms » Community

Learn Container Gardening!

Rebecca — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:39:58 +0000

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.

Taste & Tour of Old Town

Rebecca — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:49 +0000

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.”

Saturday is ‘Meat-Out’ Day

Rebecca — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:38:59 +0000

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!

MSU Organic Farm Announces their Spring Tours

Rebecca — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:53:46 +0000

If you’d like to see a small working farm in the Lansing area, the organic farm invites you to come and take a stroll. Of course these events will be most helpful for those who have green thumbs or are wanting to grow a garden. So mark those calendars and register early!

2010 MSU Student Organic Farm Workshops and Tours

Tour Dates and Times
*Tours are informal farm walks designed for both farmers and the general public
Monday, March 15   3-4:30pm
Tuesday, April 20   2:30-4pm
Monday, May 10   3-4:30pm
Friday, June 18   10-11:30am
Monday, July 19   6-7:30pm
Monday, August 9   6-7:30pm
Tuesday, September 14   3-4:30pm

Workshop Dates and Times
*Workshops spaces are limited and reserved for commercial farmers
Thursday, June 24 9:30am-4pm
Monday, September 27 9:30am-4pm

Location
The MSU Student Organic Farm is located at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center:
3291 College Rd, Holt, MI 48842

**There is no cost for these events, but registration is required.
Please contact Adam Montri at admontri@msu.edu or 517-355-5191 X1407 to register. These events are sponsored by the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Thanksgiving Market!

Rebecca — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:11:03 +0000

Meridian Township Farmers Market is having a special Thanksgiving market on Wednesday, November 25, from 10-2pm

We’ll be there with lots of goodies including:

leeks
carrots
spinach
swiss chard
arugula
kale
squash
much much more!

There will also be lots of other fabulous vendors there, including:
The Butterfly Bush: dried flower and centerpieces
Hanniwald Lamb: lamb and dogtreats
45th Parallel Pickling Co.: lots of wonderful pickled items
Stone Cloud Gardens: Marjorie with soaps (which I give as Christmas gifts)
Williamston Florist and Greenhouse: ZeTune Olive Oil
Czech Bakery: baked goods
Green Eagle Farm: vegetables and more
Craig’s Hilltop Honey: honey from our farm!
Michigan Mushrooms: they travel from quite a way to bring great mushrooms
Never Dull: knife sharpening, bring those knives, pruning shears or whatever!
Jennifer Rotier: crocheted items
Fairview Gardens (weather permitting): vegetables, dried flowers and centerpieces
Mac’s Market (weather permitting): vegetables

CADL Green Events

Rebecca — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:39:48 +0000

Many local libraries in the capital area are cooking up some interesting sessions. If you have time see if you can check them out!

Cooking with Organic Foods *
Learn the health benefits of eating organic foods from Elizabeth Lewin of Foods for Living, plus enjoy samples of delicious vegetarian dishes.
HOLT-DELHI
Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6 pm

Cooking with Denene: Autumn in Tuscany *
This special culinary event features Denene Vincent, founder and executive chef of Le Chat Gourmet Culinary Arts in Eaton Rapids. Focusing on fresh and local ingredients, she’ll share recipes from her recent culinary tour of Tuscany.
OKEMOS
Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 pm

Green Cleaning *
Make your home safer and your wallet fatter by using biodegradable cleaning ingredients made from safe and economical household items.
WILLIAMSTON
Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm
&
SOUTH LANSING
Monday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 pm

Energy Savings at Home *
Small changes around your house can add up to big savings. Staff from Urban Options will explain how preparing your home for winter will lead to more money in your pocket, less energy used and a greener planet! You’ll also receive a free energy-saving item to take home.
HOLT-DELHI
Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 pm

*Advance registration is required for these events; please call the library listed.

Meridian Township Market Event for Am. Cancer Society

Rebecca — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:45:03 +0000

This Saturday, August 22, the Meridian Township Farmers Market will be having Grilled Sweet Corn donated by Andy “T”. Cost is a suggested donation of $1 per ear and all proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Our goal is to start serving the corn around 9am and go until it is gone! Hope you can make it out!

Organic Farming Opportunity at MSU

Rebecca — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:08:52 +0000

“Amazing Organic Farming Job Opportunity
MSU Student Organic Farm – Production Manager Position Announcement

The Michigan State University Student Organic Farm (SOF) is seeking a full time Production Manager for its 10 acre certified organic year-round teaching farm. The candidate must be positive, hard working, energetic and enjoy working collaboratively with students, instructors and faculty. Additionally, the candidate must have 1 to 3 years of organic farming experience with progressively increasing management experience. Five or more years of organic farming experience with 3 or more years organic farm management experience are preferred. MSU SOF produce markets include a 48 week vegetable CSA program (60 shares), Summer CSA program (40 shares), 6 month on-campus farm stand and contracts to MSU dining halls. The main production focus is on vegetables, fruits and flowers and on year round production using passive solar greenhouses. The farm is a dynamic working and teaching farm that includes educational opportunities for MSU undergraduate students and students in our 9 month Organic Farmer Training Program as well as outreach programming to urban and rural growers. The SOF Production Manager will be responsible for the overall production of crops for all markets. Additionally, this person will work closely with the farmer training program coordinator, instructors and students to help facilitate hands-on learning through farming.

Preferred candidate must:
·                 Have organic farming experience at both mechanized/field production scale as well as hand/garden scale and experience with appropriate tools
·         Have a commitment to and enjoyment of working with students
·         Work well in a collaborative and team environment
·         Have a positive, enthusiastic, and supportive attitude
·         Have excellent communication skills
·                 Have 1 to 3 years of organic farming experience with progressively more management experience
·                 Ideally, have 5 or more years organic farming experience including 3 years of management              experience
·         Have building, maintenance, and general handy-person skills
·         Be self motivated and hard working
·         Have the ability to gracefully handle a dynamic work environment
To apply:
Visit MSU HR website at http://www.jobs.msu.edu

Apply for posting 3446

If you have questions or want more information about the position please contact
Jeremy Moghtader at moghtad1 at msu.edu.

Applications accepted through September 30th or until position is filled.

Start date ideally November 1, 2009. Negotiable.
Compensation: $40,000 plus excellent benefits.

MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer”

East Lansing Farmers Market

Rebecca — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:00:47 +0000

Come join us at the East Lansing Farmers Market this Sunday from 10-3!

There will be music, kids’ events, the veggie valet service and of course local food.

We’re in Valley Court Park (where the CSA distribution is hosted), just behind the Biggby’s and Crunchy’s bar off from Grand River- just west of the Grand River-Michigan Avenue split. Hope to see you there!