UPCOMING NEWS & EVENTS
Food Products Labeling 101 Workshop in Prairie du Chien
Are you interested in selling processed foods, but need help navigating labeling requirements? Food Products Labeling 101 is an opportunity for you to find out exactly what you need to have on your product labels. This free workshop will take place at the Sharing Spaces Kitchen in Prairie du Chien, on April 24th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Arthur Ness, a food scientist at the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection will cover the mandatory label elements, nutrition labeling, claims on labels, special labeling issues, and licensing requirements. The workshop will be tailored to the particular needs of the group with ample opportunity for Q & A. Attendees will also receive a free copy of the Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide, which explains step-by-step how to move products from field to consumer.
Arthur has been with the Division of Food Safety for over 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge on product labeling and licensing requirements in Wisconsin. This workshop is brought to you by Something Special from Wisconsin™ and Sharing Spaces Kitchen. Sharing Spaces Kitchen is a shared-use incubator kitchen located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The brand new facility includes two kitchen areas, a clean packing room, large dry storage area, walk-in cooler and freezer, two loading docks, and a large classroom.
To register, please go to www.sharingspaceskitchen.org. Click on "Entrepreneur Workshops."
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AARP Foundation is seeking to fund the development or scaling of innovative, sustainable solutions to hunger that have the potential to make a significant impact on community food security and sustainable food systems for Americans 50 and older.
Through a competitive RFP process, AARP Foundation will award grants to eligible local, state and/or national registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States, in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $300,000.
Grants will be awarded under the AARP Foundation Sustainable Solutions to Hunger Innovation Grants Program. There are two models of grants: Scaling Grants and Innovation Grants.
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Scaling Grants will fund existing programs that have demonstrated success and require additional funds to bring them to scale.
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Innovation Grants will be made to fund ideas that have the potential to substantially contribute to greater long-term, sustainable food security for adults 50 and older.
Deadlines : Sustainable Solutions to Hunger Grants Program timeline:
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Submit Letter of Inquiry by September 15, 2011 11:59PM(EST)
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Submit Proposals by October 15, 2011 11:59PM(EST)
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Grant Awards Announced in December 2011
For more information about this funding opportunity, please visit: www.aarp.org/hungergrants. For information about this and other AARP Foundation grant programs, please visit: www.aarp.org/foundationgrants.
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It’s almost here – don’t miss it - the “Wisconsin Local Food Expo – Local Food Means Business” is fast approaching. One week from tomorrow – Tuesday, September 20th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. If you sell or buy Wisconsin products at a Wholesale level or want to start – this event is a must attend.
Join Stephanie Klett, Secretary of Tourism and President and CEO of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, Deb Archer, to hear how Wisconsin agriculture and tourism are a perfect fit. UW-Milwaukee’s Director of Restaurant Operations, Scott Hoffland and Brandon Scholz, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association will speak to the importance of Wisconsin products in today’s foodservice and retail markets. Discover Mediaworks Managing Director, Greg Smith, will speak to the power of media in Wisconsin’s local food industry. Discover Mediaworks is the company that brings us the Discover Wisconsin TV show.
Dane County Executive Parisi will introduce the exhibiting local food businesses and their delectable Wisconsin products! Take advantage of ample time for buyers and sellers of Wisconsin products to network and do business together.
For details and to register go to www.ifmwi.org.
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Workshop Planned for Food and Farming Entrepreneurs
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/07/2011
Have an idea or a great recipe that could turn in to a thriving local food business? Developing a business plan and finding start-up funds can help move that idea closer to reality. Or do you have a current business that you are thinking about expanding to the next level? If so, updating your current business plan and finding additional funds can strengthen your business.
Seeds for Success: Planning and Financing your Local Food Business seminars will provide local food business entrepreneurs the tools to identify financing and get started on a business plan. This one-day seminar will be offered at three locations around the State to make this event more accessible. The event will be held in Menomonie on November 1 at Dunn County Judicial Center.
Carl Rainey, Business Consultant with Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, will facilitate the morning program on business planning. Rainey has worked with entrepreneurs seeking capital since 2003. He provides assistance with writing business plans, sourcing project capital, analyzing financial performance of the business and suggests possible solutions to resolve issues.
The afternoon will feature a panel of local financial experts in each area who will focus on loans, cooperative-based funding and grant opportunities.
Lunch and morning refreshments will be provided at each location. The registration fee is $10 per person.
For more information or to register, call 715-723-5561 or 715-232-1636.
This seminar is made possible in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Local Food Network.
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Dates Set for Wisconsin Rural Partners' Rural
Regional Forums
Citizens, community leaders, local school and government officials, private industry, and community organizations are invited to attend one of three Rural Regional Forums planned by Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. across the state this October.
Each year since 1996, Wisconsin Rural Partners has held a Wisconsin Rural Summit to discuss current issues and develop a strategic plan to meet rural communities’ concerns. New this year, Wisconsin Rural Partners is holding three Rural Regional Forums to collect input from additional participants before cumulating in a Wisconsin Rural Summit later this year.
“Regional Rural Forums offer an opportunity for more people to have their voices heard,” said Kathy Schmitt, Committee Chair and a DATCP Community Services Specialist. “The facilitated discussion will allow attendees to roll up their sleeves to discuss challenges and set the stage for solutions.”
All Rural Regional Forums are from 8:45-11:30 a.m. Dates and locations are:
- October 4, 2011: Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County
Highway G, Ashland
- October 7, 2011: Ed’s Tee Pee Supper Club, 812 Superior Avenue, Tomah
- October 21, 2011: Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Avenue, Elkhart Lake
Wisconsin Rural Partners invites people to share their point of view on local issues, challenges, and priorities for your rural community. Information gathered at the forums will be summarized and shared with forum participants as well as with key stakeholders at the Wisconsin Rural Summit on December 2, 2011 at Stoney Creek Inn in Rothschild.
The registration deadline is ten days prior to each forum. The fee of $25 includes breakfast and a summary report of forum findings. To register for the Rural Regional Forums or for more information, visit
http://www.wirural.org/RuralSummit2011 or contact Kathy Schmitt at 608-224-5048 or kathy.schmitt@wisconsin.gov.
The mission of Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. is to develop leadership, networks, and voice for rural Wisconsin. Wisconsin Rural Partners is Wisconsin’s official, federally-recognized State Rural Development Council that is administered by a ten member board.
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Grazing Seminars at World Dairy Expo
The third annual Grazing Seminars at World Dairy Expo will be on Friday, October 7, 2011. The all-day seminar series; organized by DATCP, UW Extension, and industry partners; will feature a range of topics and be followed by a free reception.
“This annual event brings in speakers from across the country to share information and new ideas for dairy farmers,” said Laura Paine, DATCP’s Grazing Specialist. “The free educational seminars offer basic information for the beginning farmer and new methods and techniques for those involved in the industry for years.”
The agenda for the grazing events includes:
- 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Training the Next Generation of Dairy Farmers. Joe Tomandl III will talk about Wisconsin’s first-in-the-nation Dairy Apprentice Program that helps beginning farmers get off to a good start with classroom education and a formal on-farm apprenticeship.
- 11:15a.m.-12:15 p.m. Outwintering versus Winter Housing – What are the Tradeoffs? How much winter housing do you need? Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve, UW Extension Grazing Specialist, will explore the tradeoffs between housing, seasonal milking, feed costs, and milk production.
- 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Cross-country Tour de Research: A Roundtable Discussion of Grazing Research at U.S. Universities. Here’s your opportunity to hear what grazing and organic systems research is being done and to provide input and suggestions for future research topics.
- 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Is Grass-fed the Wave of the Future? Market Forecast for Organic and Grass-based Dairy. George Siemon, Organic Valley, and Chad Pawlak, Grass Point Farms, will discuss the role of value-added markets for dairy products and offer a market analysis and forecast.
- 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free Reception. Opportunity to meet with speakers and sponsors for refreshments and conversation.
Seminars will be held in the Mendota 3 Conference Room in the Exhibition Hall of the World Dairy Expo. The afternoon reception will be held in the Grazing and Organic Pavilion. Industry partners assisting DATCP and UW Extension with planning and sponsorship for the day’s events include: CRV, LIC, Coburn, Geno, Normande, Fleckveih, Crystal Creek, and Organic Valley.
“Each seminar will allow time for participants to ask questions and engage in discussion,” said Rhonda Gildersleeve, UW Extension’s Grazing Specialist. “The reception is also a great opportunity for farmers to talk with seminar speakers and share ideas to be more successful and profitable in the future.”
To find general information on World Dairy Expo, visit www.world-dairy-expo.com. For more information about the grazing seminars, contact DATCP’s Laura Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov or visit http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Grazing/Grazing_Events/.
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Are you looking for ways to develop your innovative agricultural business?
Join us for a workshop designed to help you identify which grants might be right for you. This workshop will also discuss ways to plan your project and strengthen your application. Specific grant programs to be covered include:
Dates and Locations
Tuesday, October 11th – Southwest WI
viroqua area medical office building, Conference Rooms Lower level, 407 S Main St., Viroqua, WI, 54665
to register: sue noble at (608)637-5396 or snoble@veda-wi.org
Wednesday, October 12th – Northeast WI
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, 2740 West Mason St, Rm SC128, Green Bay, WI, 54307
To register: Valerie Dantoin at (920) 498-5568 or valerie.dantoin@nwtc.edu
Tuesday, October 18th – Southeast WI
Michael Fields Agriculture Institute, W2493, County RD ES, East Troy, Wi, 53120
to register: DONNA ZAROVY OR ROSE SKORA AT 262-857-1945 OR ROSE.SKORA@CES.UWEX.EDU OR Peg Reedy AT PEG.REEDY@CES.UWEX.EDU
Thursday, October 20th – Northwest WI
Dunn County Judicial Center, Room 1402, 615 Stokke Parkway, Menomonie, WI, 54751
To register: Katie Sternweis at (715) 232-1636 or Katie.sternweis@ces.uwex.edu
Registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and materials.
Please Register at least one week in advance.
Sponsored by
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute — Northeast Wisconsin Technical College — USDA, Rural Development — USDA, SARE — UW-Extension — WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection — Wisconsin Farmers Union
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National Recognition Earned by SSfW™ Member Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital and Clinics for Local Food Efforts
Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital & Clinics recently earned national recognition for its efforts to incorporate locally grown and produced food into its patient meals, cafeteria and clinic break rooms. Amerinet announced SPMHC as a winner of its Healthcare Achievement Award in the category of Community Impact and Innovation and will present the award to SPMHC at its member conference in Orlando, Fla. in May.
“This award recognizes that our commitment to health goes beyond our doors and extends to the community,” said SPMHC’s CEO Larry Schroeder. “What better way to provide nutritious, healthy food options than to work with our local farmers and vendors?”
SPMHC’s Nutrition Services director Amy Miller, agreed, “We want to do it because it makes sense for our community — and its better food. You can definitely taste the difference and you can see the difference. The meat is tender and juicy and the produce is vibrant and flavorful.”
SPMHC’s developed relationships throughout the area that enabled them to incorporate local produce, poultry, meats and dairy into food served for patients, staff and visitors. They redesigned menus to provide healthier options and include local vendors. SPMHC is committed to incorporating locally grown foods and has helped create the South Central Wisconsin Institutional Food Initiative (SCWIFI) to explore making local food purchasing easier for both buyers and sellers in the area. SCWIFI is a roundtable of local institutions, producers, and processors.
Amerinet awards member organizations who excel in reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality.
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Have you checked out Wisconsin Foodie?
The newest locally produced series on Wisconsin Public Television introduces you to the farmers, chefs and restaurants at the forefront of Wisconsin’s slow food movement. Discover a new culinary treasure or travel destination each Thursday.
Event Times: Airs at 7:00 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television
URL: www.wisconsinfoodie.com
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NEWS ARCHIVE
New USDA Report
Local Food Systems:
Concepts, Impacts, and Issues
Edible Magazine Coming to Madison.
Click here for details.
Wisconsin Grocers Association Magazine Focuses on Local Food
Features articles on local food from around the state and much more! Click here to download the pdf.
Buy-local campaign targets grocers, consumers
by Jim Massey, editor, The Country Today
VERONA - Grocery store owner Carl Miller said it's been an eye-opener
to learn how many food items are produced in his area.
Miller, owner of Miller and Sons Supermarkets in Verona and Mount
Horeb, hosted a Grocers Buy Local event Sept. 19 at his Verona store. Ten local food producers offered samples of items sold in Miller and Sons
stores.
"I think what the state is doing is really good," Miller said. "When we got
involved in this, it was kind of an eye-opener for me, how much food is
really locally produced. There are some real entrepreneurs out there."
The Country Today_Buy Local Campaign_9-23-09
(PDF) |
