EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast on June 25, 2020, will feature Vicki Morrone, organic farming specialist with MSU, to discuss transitioning to organic and possible market opportunities for Michigan grains and beans. Growing organic crops can be an option for farmers who are seeking market diversification or alternative farming approaches. The demand for certified organic produce and products is on the rise and domestic production struggles to keep up. The percent growth of organic food has increased over 5% each year since 2009, with 50% more sold to consumers in 2018 than in 2009, according to the Organic Trade Association consumer sales. Organic farming requires a whole farm approach that maximizes crop diversity to build the soil’s health and reduce pest outbreaks.
The Field Crops Virtual Breakfast sessions are held every week during the growing season via Zoom. These virtual meetings take place every Thursday morning from 7-7:30 a.m. from April 16 through Sept. 10, 2020. Following this discussion, MSU’s agricultural meteorologist Jeff Andresen will present the current weather conditions and the seven- to-10-day forecast. A question and answer time will follow.
In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), RUP credits will now be available for the live sessions. Each week will have a specific code provided to attendees. The recertification credits will not be available to those viewing the recordings or podcasts. Categories will be Commercial core, Private core and 1A.
Participating is easy and free! You can join the live meeting via Zoom using a computer, tablet, mobile device or regular phone line. If you are new to Zoom, simply download the Zoom app and you will be ready to join online every week to see visuals shared by presenters. A call-in by phone option is also available but note that you will only hear the audio portion.
Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast. You only need to do this once and you will receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number, as well as weekly reminders every Wednesday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.
Sign up to receive Virtual Breakfast Zoom information
If you cannot participate in the live session at 7 a.m., you can view the recorded version at any time. However, only the live session will be eligible for RUP credits. Recordings will be closed-captioned and available at the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast page and the MSU Extension Field Crops Team social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
If you are unable to sign up online, call the Lapeer County MSU Extension office at 810-667-0341.
Follow MSU Extension Field Crops Team on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube and for breaking news.
— Monica Jean, Michigan State University Extension
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