Midwest
Michigan agriculture stalwart Fred Tubbs dies at age 82
Fred Tubbs, 82, of Hart, Michigan, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at his home. He is now reunited with his wife, Dianna, grandson, Collin Hansen, brother, Gary Tubbs, and sister, Ruthann Corliss. According to his... more »
Michigan urges vigilance after dead spotted lanternfly cases identified
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking freight carriers, warehouse workers and delivery drivers to be on the lookout for invasive spotted lanternfly after the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed... more »
California dried fruit pioneers join forces to acquire Wisconsin cranberry plant
California-based dried fruit industry leaders John Potter and Willie Traina have joined forces to form American Berry Co. by acquiring the CranGrow cranberry processing facility in Warrens, Wisconsin. American Berry will be led by newly... more »
New MDARD emergency rule extends pesticide applicator credentials to Dec. 31
An emergency rule filed by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell extends pesticide applicator credentials with an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2020. MDARD filed this... more »
Cherry growers want to get in on the snacking trend
Struggling Michigan cherry farmers hope to cash in on a growing consumer trend during the pandemic: We’re eating more snacks. According to a story by Capital News Service, the DeWitt-based Cherry Marketing Institute will use... more »
Food production, training facility targeted with Michigan grant funds
The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development approved three Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grants Nov. 5 totaling $293,500. These performance-based grants will leverage approximately $91.4 million in additional private investment in Michigan’s food... more »
MDARD announces specialty crop block grant public input opportunity
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development today announced a public input opportunity for the Michigan Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. The... more »
Spotted lanternfly found in Jefferson County, Ohio
A population of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) has been found in Mingo Junction just south of Steubenville, Ohio, along the Ohio River. The initial report came from a resident who spotted a dead adult... more »