Midwest

Michigan pesticide applicators receive temporary emergency license extension

Pesticide applicators in Michigan are required to be licensed to apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) on their own properties or commercially on others’ property. Licenses are categorized as either private applicators, for those growing agricultural... more »

Free Purdue webinar planned on COVID-19 impact on food markets, agriculture

Join the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture for a free webinar examining COVID-19’s impact on U.S. food and agriculture from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20. “COVID-19 is disrupting U.S. food distribution and marketing, reducing demand... more »

Maintain a healthy farm workforce to reduce spread of COVID-19

Maintaining a healthy farm workforce is more important than ever to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure a successful harvest. Farms should continue to enforce food safety best practices already in place, such... more »

MSU Extension program partners to connect farmers, mental health services

Michigan State University Extension's Farm Stress program is now equipped to connect farmers experiencing stress and mental health issues with online counseling. Through this pilot project, Michigan State University Extension’s Farm Stress Program can link farmers with... more »

MDARD director urges USDA to use funds to support Michigan growers, farmers

As Michigan’s food and farming community was already struggling to overcome the severe weather and low commodity prices from 2019, the COVID-19 global pandemic created even more dire and daunting economic hardships for the state’s... more »

Supplemental label issued for Verdepryn to control blueberry stem gall wasp

The new insecticide Verdepryn is a diamide insecticide based on the active ingredient cyclaniliprole. This is already labeled for use in blueberry against cutworms, fruitworms, Japanese beetle, blueberry maggot and other insect pests. The company... more »

Northwest Michigan growers adjust to coronavirus limitations

Spring has arrived and soon fruit trees will need to be planted, orchards will need to be managed, earlier crops like asparagus and strawberries will need to be harvested. In light of the current situation... more »

COVID-19 relief for Michigan farmers urged by Senators Stabenow, Peters

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, and Gary Peters, D-MI, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide relief to Michigan farmers and keep families supplied with food during the COVID-19 crisis. “Michigan farmers have... more »