Mar 12, 2010 by Erika
michigan thumb organics – back to basics
I had the pleasure of attending the Michigan Organic Food and Farming Conference last weekend and was inspired by the vision and integrity of farmers I met who’ve built successful businesses, as well new farmers who are just starting out. Highlights included an intergenerational panel that addressed needs and resources for incubating new farmers, a session on creative strategies for farmland acquisition, and a panel about Michigan Thumb Organics (MTO).
MTO is a cooperative of experienced farmers whose individual members sell organic commodities crops like soy and corn. They’ve come together to expand and diversify sustainable local food production. Check out Chris Bedford’s video for their story.
Very, very pleased to hear about this organization in the Thumb. We try to feature local products at our bed and breakfast near Lakeport, but of course the local fresh fruit season is relatively short. We only serve breakfast. Adding some of that locally grown popcorn and the tortilla chips for evening snacks would be a way of keeping a local food presence during the rest of the year.
Thanks for the informative video. Way to grow, MTO!
Thanks so much for your comment, Sandy. And for featuring local products at your B&B. Adding local evening snacks sounds perfect!
I know MTO will continue to expand their production, and we are fortunate that we can eat so well with food from local producers within 100 miles of Lakeport. For breakfast standards: bread and pancakes from local grains; eggs, milk, butter and maple syrup; bacon or sausage from pasteured pork; and strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries – fresh in season, frozen the rest of the year.
Do you have any recipe suggestions from your breakfast menu?