Midwest
$5M project to research strategies of controlling fire blight
Michigan State University researchers are leading a $5.2 million grant to investigate management strategies for fire blight George Sundin and Nikki Rothwell will lead a USDA-funded project examining fire blight, a disease that can kill... more »
Purdue Extension steps in to help Hoosier fruit growers
From juicy red strawberries to sweet apples and melons, Indiana is home to many fruit growers. While each year presents its challenges in the field, this year Indiana faced an unfortunate late frost event, causing... more »
USDA designates 18 Iowa counties as primary natural disaster areas
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue designated 18 Iowa counties as primary natural disaster areas on Sept. 3, enabling producers who suffered losses because of the recent Derecho, that occurred on August 10, 2020, to... more »
Michigan governor applauds USDA disaster designation for Michigan counties
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sept. 2 applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) designation of Berrien, Cass, and Ottawa counties as primary natural disaster areas, making assistance available to agriculture producers in those counties who incurred damage and... more »
Michigan reminds agritourism outlets to follow COVID-19 safety guidance
As Michigan moves into autumn, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) on Sept. 3 reminded the state’s U-pick, corn mazes and other agri-tourism operations opening up to implement and follow plans to... more »
Appeals court rules against Michigan farmworkers, farmers
A nine-page filing Sept. 2 by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against farmworkers and farm owners, plaintiffs in a case against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. According to a report by... more »
Take a virtual tour of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center
Due to Michigan State University policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan State University Extension is unable to host in-person meetings. Unfortunately, this includes our annual Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center open house and annual Leelanau Horticultural Society dinner and... more »
How do you know if your farm water sources are at risk? Inspect your system
How do you know if your water sources are low risk? An annual water system inspection is the way to go. Whether the farm uses groundwater or surface water, evaluating the extent of control involves... more »
