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Lead Story: Fall in Love Foods
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Guest Column: Romantic Slow Cooker Extravaganza by MI Foodie Megan Sprague
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Trend Alert: Today's Consumers Relish Latest Trend - Wine on Tap
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Hot Topic: Michigan Ranked as a Top Ten Winter Farmer's Market State
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MAC Partner Spotlight: Q & A with Aaron Classens from GreenStone Farm Credit Services
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Foodie Blog: Celebrating a local slice of Michigan History (by Kathy Siler)
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Nib-let Tid-bits: Valentine's Day Edition
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Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
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February 14 is just around the corner, posing the age old question: what can we do for that special someone to let them know we care? Cards may seem impersonal. The heart-shaped chocolate boxes might be overdone. And buying a surprise plane ticket to Jamaica isn't exactly in most of our budgets. Take a hint from Michigan foodies - nothing says "I love you" like a homemade dinner with love-inducing side effects. 
In many relationships, each person has their own set of personal skills. In our relationship, my husband is the chef. I can cook, but I am a slave to recipes and need very specific directions. I guess I'm not an adventurous cook... But THIS Valentine's Day I wanted to make something special for my husband. So... I gave this Crockpot carnitas recipe a try! The finished meal looks impressive, tastes delicious, is friendly on your wallet and is a relatively simple dish to make. If I can do it, so can you! 
Wineries and restaurants nationwide are introducing keg programs to serve customers wine straight from the tap, just like beer. Wine on tap offers benefits to winemakers, vendors and the consumer while providing the same quality as bottled wine. According to Matt Duggan, general manager of Palmina Winery in Lompoc, Calif., consumers welcome the trend. "I think they love it," Duggan said. "There's a lot of romanticism with people that have gone to Europe, where you can go to the winery and fill up a jug and have your wine for the day that way," he remarked. Check out more about the wine on tap trend by 
The number of winter farmers' markets is increasing, according to the Agriculture Department's updated National Farmers Market Directory. The expanded adoption of hoop house technology, which has enabled many smaller growers to extend their production seasons at low cost, has been a contributing factor to the growth of winter farmers' markets. 
Marking the 175th birthday of our beautiful state of Michigan got me thinking about its compelling journey toward statehood in 1837, and sent me exploring a local slice of Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage. In the early 1800s, pioneers to Michigan Territory came mostly from New England which explains English “place” names like Manchester, Chelsea, Bridgewater and Ann Arbor. As more land was surveyed, especially in the southern tier of the Michigan Territory counties, word spread about the productive farmland here. 
It's that time of year again, when heart-shaped boxes litter the store aisles, teddy bears become the gift of choice and love is on everyone's mind. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or Valentine's skeptic, 