Midwest

Michigan’s food, ag workers encouraged to register to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Michigan’s food processing and agricultural workers are encouraged to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination appointment as eligibility expands to Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector. "Throughout the pandemic, Michigan’s food and agriculture... more »

Michigan ag director issues emergency rules to protect agricultural workers

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued on March 2 Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency Rules. The rules require licensed housing providers to create and implement... more »

Grower survey to assess herbicide drift damage in the North Central US

A special project group of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center wants to learn about your concerns and experiences with herbicide drift. The group is surveying growers of fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops... more »

Applications accepted for ‘Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year’ award

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is now accepting applications for its annual “Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year” award. Each year, MDARD recognizes a leading food or agriculture exporter for its efforts... more »

Freezing stress, cold hardiness and managing winter damaged vines

The 2021 winter in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. was impacted again by the polar vortex; temperatures plunged into the sub-zero digits and the extended duration of the cold events severely affected the grapevines. Minimum... more »

MSU to study effectiveness, cost of blueberry pest management strategies

A team of researchers from Michigan State University has received a $325,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to examine the effectiveness and cost of new blueberry pest... more »

Joseph Rivet selected as Michigan ag department’s new deputy director

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell announced the selection of Joseph Rivet as the department’s deputy director, effective Monday, Feb. 22. “Joseph has a clear passion for public service with over... more »

Purdue Extension updates guides for fruit and vegetable growers

Several updated resources from Purdue Extension will help fruit and vegetable growers stay on top of the latest crop management strategies and research. The Purdue Extension 2021 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers (ID-56)... more »