Water

Michigan Department of Ag wants proposal to raise cottage food sales limit considered separately

A provision to increase the limit on sales of food items prepared under Michigan’s Cottage Food Law from $15,000 to $24,999 has been approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee and is now before the Michigan... more »

Unseasonably warm weather puts fruit growers on alert

The growing season is off to a very early start across the Great Lakes and much of the central and eastern U.S., according to Jeff Andresen and Aaron Pollyea in the Michigan State University Extension... more »

MSU looks at funding for ag research stations

Michigan State University will close its Muck Soils Research Farm in Laingsburg and is weighing the fate of at least one more of its 15 agricultural research stations statewide.Steve Pueppke, director of MSU AgBioResearch, said... more »

USDA unveils new plant hardiness zone map

USDA released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map Jan. 25, updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map... more »

Ten things you should know about farm taxes

As farming promises to remain competitive, tax credits and other incentives become more valuable. Below are some items to keep in mind before meeting with your accountant. 1. What’s deductible? Generally speaking, to be deductible... more »

New label dissolves and washes fruit at the same time

Every now and then, an idea comes along that’s so simple yet so radical you have to ask, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Scott Amron’s Vanishing Fruit Wash Labels might be just such an... more »

Washington State Hort. Assc. opposes water bill

At a recent legislative hearing in Olympia, the Washington State Horticultural Association and its lobbyist Jim Halstrom publicly opposed legislation (House Bill 2192) that would provide a relatively small amount of new water to allow... more »

Southwest Horticultural Days Feb. 8-9

The Michigan Grape Society and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with Lake Michigan College, will host the annual Southwest Horticultural Days conference Feb. 8-9 at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave.,... more »

Plan ahead before planting crops on marginal land

A fairly common situation involves a landowner wishing to establish crops on unprepared, marginal land. Owner goals vary widely, and often include producing food crops for local sales, home gardening or establishing wildlife food plots.... more »

Prison labor works for Colorado growers

With talk of farm-labor shortages across the country, can prisoners fill in the gap? Earlier this year, officials in Georgia and Alabama suggested using prison labor to replace missing migrant workers, but in Georgia at... more »