A water bill that grandfathers existing uses and provides a model to assess the risks of a new well's location passed both the Michigan House and Senate and awaits a signature by Governor Granholm.
Water legislation opens tap on rare agreement
Farmers and environmental groups found a rare point of agreement in early February when both the state Senate and House agreed on long-awaited water use legislation and sent it to Governor Jennifer Granholm to sign into law. Click here for full story.Picture this: Nine choppers and a low profile
It's hard to dismiss the economic impact on a farming community when one dairy farmer invests in nine choppers at one time in addition to a steady stream of commerce that includes buying and replacing dump trucks, articulated packing tractors, liquid manure injectors and all the various parts and fuels and lubricants that go along with them. Click here for full story.Fruit, vegetable growers face pay to play proposals
Michigan's apple industry loses again if a proposal to further cut the number of fruit and vegetable inspectors and raise inspection fees up to 67 percent gets approved by the Michigan Agriculture Commission and the Legislature. Click here for full story.MAEAP Cropping System expands to include orchards and fruit crops
Michigan tree and small fruit producers can now participate in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assistance Program (MAEAP) Cropping System. The Crop*A*Syst environmental risk assessment for orchards and fruit production will be available, on a trial basis, to growers beginning March 1. Click here for full story.Agriculture, food system study shows potential for job, industry growth
Michigan's economy is facing many challenges, including recent news about factory closings and layoffs among automotive industries and others. But there is some good news in one key sector, according to an analysis by economists with the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Click here for full story.New agri-tourism association formed
More than ever before, non-farming folk prefer a trip to the farm for the day, and they'll pay - if the growth of agri-tourism is any indication. Click here for full story.Soil sampling: Just do it
With input costs so high these days, Clinton County farmer Eric Voisinet soil sampled half his farm last fall and plans to do the rest next fall, getting into a two-year rotation for the whole farm. "Soil testing has really opened our eyes," about how to spend money on future crop nutrients, he said. Click here for full story.