2011 Southern Wisconsin Fresh Produce Workshop

Presented by UW Extension

February 8 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

In the morning, the workshop will include a variety of sessions presented by UW Extension Specialists and others on production, disease forecasting, pest management, post-harvest handling and best management practices for fruit and vegetable growers.

In the afternoon, learn about a new Wisconsin fresh market produce packing house opportunity. Come and learn how a packing house works, what you need to know to participate, and other exciting details about this potential new market. You will have the chance to meet with large volume wholesale buyers interested in Wisconsin produce.

And you will also hear about safe food handling and information on the new Federal Food Safety bill and what it means for growers.

Click here for the agenda and registration form or visit http://dane.uwex.edu/ for more information.

“Making Good Food Work”

April 19-21, Detroit, MI

More than 200 entrepreneurs, food industry professionals, non-profits, researchers, and policymakers will convene in Detroit to build strategies for more just and efficient local and regional food distribution.

This conference is designed to be practical and action-oriented. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and others active in local food system work are now invited to propose local food distribution projects and/or research topics that will be further developed and examined over the course of the conference.  Conference organizers are soliciting applications from individuals and organizations to lead teams and hope you will consider submitting your new or existing project or issue idea by February 4, 2011.

Possible projects could include but are not limited to:
*    Researching and outlining a business plan, including start-up costs, for a mobile grocery unit;
*    Developing a strategic plan to increase sales from urban farmers to local restaurants;
*    Laying the groundwork for a multi-state food distribution research proposal;
*    Writing a proposal for a feasibility study for a regional aggregation facility; or
*    Developing food distribution plans for an area identified as a “food desert”

Visit the conference website for more information.