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FoodCorps Diaries: Students' first hoop house harvest

Farm to school, healthy food, FoodCorps | December 11, 2012 | By Kirsten Gerbatsch and Daniel Marbury

Late last month, students at Platte River Elementary harvested their first produce from their new school hoop house for a quick science lesson and delicious treat....

Interlochen Elementary School Starts Library Hydro-Farm

Healthy Food, Farm to School, FoodCorps | December 11, 2012 | By Kirsten Gerbatsch

With the flick of a switch, we heard the steady whir of an electric motor and a whoosh of water circulating through three large hydroponic “grow systems.” These were the sounds of life: A winter indoor school garden. By noon on Tuesday, November 27th, Jill Hibbard’s 2nd grade and Rhonda Busch’s 3rd grade classes at Interlochen Elementary School transplanted and seeded a variety of herbs, leafy greens, lettuce, and peas in their very own library window hydro-farm....

Plugged In: Opportunity Knocks in Snyder’s Energy Message

Plugged In, Renewables, Power to Change, | December 5, 2012 | By Jim Dulzo

Reading the text of Governor Rick Snyder’s Special Message on Energy and the Environment, which is a bit more detailed than the remarks he delivered last Wednesday, it’s clear he’s serious about energy efficiency and, to some extent, renewables like wind and solar power. But he was also less detailed than some hoped....

Short Gains for Detroit Transit

All Aboard | December 4, 2012 | By James Bruckbauer

After almost 40 years of failed attempts, senators in Lansing last week finally passed a series of bills that would create a much-needed regional transit authority for Michigan’s largest metro region. Now it’s up to the House, where, on Wednesday, the Transportation Committee will discuss the bills....

Plugged In: No Time to Wait on Renewables

Power to Change, Proposal 3 | November 28, 2012 | By Jim Dulzo

The ruckus over renewables isn’t over: Proposal 3’s advocates sound even more determined to boost renewables goals beyond their current “10 percent by 2015” target and make Michigan a jobs-rich, global, renewables manufacturing leader. And on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Snyder used his Special Message on Energy and the Environment to say he’s ready to start a conversation next year about resetting the goal for renewables....

FoodCorps Teams Up with Local Farmer

Healthy Food, Farm to School, FoodCorps | November 28, 2012 | By Kirsten Gerbatsch

How often do typical elementary students get to eat lunch with the farmer who grew their school meal? Last month, every student at Suttons Bay Elementary had the opportunity to meet Jim Bardenhagen, who grows apples and squash on his farm in Leelanau County....

Regional Rider: Transit Authority, Grand Rapids Buses

Choices, Regional Rider | November 28, 2012 | By James Bruckbauer

In Lansing, the Michigan Senate passed a series of bills that would create a regional transit authority for Detroit and its surrounding counties. The authority would be responsible for coordinating and improving transit service in the Metro Detroit region. The House of Representatives could vote on the bill this month. This is a monumental step toward making transit service in Michigan more efficient and much more effective....

Farm Stand: We need to help kids avoid obesity

Healthy Food, 10 Cents, Farm to School | November 27, 2012 | By Diane Conners

Have you heard of acanthosis nigricans? I hadn’t — not until I served on the planning committee for a recent event that Munson Medical Center and PriorityHealth sponsored to raise awareness about the significant impacts of obesity on our community, our economy, our schools and our health....

Will Republican State Reps Renew Attack on Efficiency Mandate?

Efficiency | November 21, 2012 | By Jim Dulzo

With Gov. Rick Snyder set to deliver his Special Message on Energy on Nov. 28, several Republican state representatives are declining to say whether they will renew their attack on Michigan’s “energy optimization” law, which saves residents money by requiring utilities to help customers use less power and natural gas....

Greetings from Bill Palladino

MLUI News | November 21, 2012 | By Bill Palladino

MLUI is happy to introduce new Senior Policy Specialist Bill Palladino, but for many of you, he needs no introduction. Bill has been working with us for years, as a volunteer, a board member and consultant. Now we’re thrilled to have him on staff, working with the Taste the Local Difference program and other efforts to support the local economy....

MLUI receives grant to scale up local food in schools

Healthy Food, Farm to School | November 15, 2012 | By MLUI Farm to School Program

The USDA awarded the Michigan Land Use Institute a two-year, $100,000 grant for expanded education efforts and to help local growers scale-up their operations and infrastructure to make it easier for them to meet school needs. The project, “Scaling Up: Healthy Kids & Thriving Farms,” expands on MLUI’s existing efforts to promote local food in school cafeterias....

Voters Want Movement on Division Street

Great Towns | November 15, 2012 | By James Bruckbauer

The outcome of the recent local election signaled hope for many Traverse City families that improvements are possible along a dangerous thoroughfare that cuts through town....

New bus service brings Benzie, Traverse City a little closer

Choices | November 15, 2012 | By Jim Lively

This month, two regional transportation agencies launched a partnership that makes it easier for riders to travel between Benzie County and Traverse City while leaving their cars at home. The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) and the Benzie Transportation Authority (Benzie Bus) teamed up to offer a new connection service that allows Benzie Buses to transfer riders to BATA buses at Ric’s Food Center in Interlochen beginning Nov. 1....

MLUI Newsletter - Fall 2012

MLUI News | November 13, 2012 | By MLUI

We are advocates. That might be obvious to you, but for those of us on the staff and Board, winnowing down the many, multi-faceted roles we play to a single word is a big challenge. But behind it all is one specific mission: We advocate to protect Michigan’s environment, strengthen its economy, and enhance our quality of life. And we take that mission very seriously....

Prop 3’s Lessons—and MLUI's Next Steps

Proposal 3, Power to Change | November 7, 2012 | By Hans Voss

Despite a tough loss on Prop. 3, we remain optimistic here at the Institute. We’re ready to work toward solutions, and we’ll keep on pushing forward toward our clean energy, pro-environment, pro-economy vision....

FoodCorps Diaries: Farm To School Month a Success

Farm to school, healthy food | November 7, 2012 | By Daniel Marbury and Kirsten Gerbatsch

MLUI's intrepid FoodCorps Service Members Daniel and Kirsten document a busy October celebrating National Farm To School Month at six schools across the region, with classroom, lunchroom, and garden activities....

PigstockTC Raises Thousands for ’10 Cents a Meal’ program

Farm to school, 10 cents a meal | November 2, 2012 | By MLUI Farm to School Program

The third annual PigstockTC raised $2,625 for the new 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms program that will provide schools with extra funds to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables....

Gov. Milliken: Proposal 3 deserves to be in Michigan Constitution

Proposal 3, Power to Change | November 1, 2012 | By Gov. William Milliken

I enthusiastically support Proposal 3 because developing clean energy right here in Michigan is good for the environment and the economy. There are times when the public is better served when important matters of public policy are protected within our Constitutional framework. ...

Business Workshops for New and Longtime Growers

Get Farming | October 31, 2012 | By MLUI Get Farming! Program

The Michigan Land Use Institute’s Get Farming! program is planning several Business of Farming workshops for both aspiring and experienced farmers....

Plugged In: Prop 3 Could Boost Community Renewables Projects

Plugged In, Proposal 3, Power to Change | October 25, 2012 | By Jim Dulzo

There’s a brand-new wind turbine spinning in Leelanau County. The sparkling white machine high on a hill near Northport may be Michigan’s first-ever “community renewable energy” project, and it offers a fresh spin on Proposal 3, which requires 25 percent renewables for Michigan by 2025.
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