Midwest

Purdue Extension offers vegetable farming webinar series

Vegetable farmers are invited to attend the Purdue Extension Vegetable Farming Webinar series sponsored by the Indiana Horticultural Conference and Expo. The series will be held virtually 2-4 p.m. (ET) on Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Experts... more »

Professor receives NASA Early Career award to help astronauts grow vegetables

When in space, astronauts typically eat dehydrated, nutrient-dense food, but when it comes to longer space missions, that can become a problem as they’ll eventually lack nutrients from fresh vegetables. However, one chemical and biomolecular engineering professor... more »

Jamie Zmitko-Somers new ag development division director in Michigan

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell announced Jan. 12 the selection of Jamie Zmitko-Somers as the department’s new Agriculture Development Division Director effective Monday, Jan. 25. “Anybody who has had the... more »

Glen Tellock to retire from Lakeside Foods; Joe Yanda promoted to CEO

Glen Tellock, president and chief executive officer of Manitowoc, Wisconsin-based Lakeside Foods Inc., has announced his intention to retire later this year. Succeeding him will be Joe Yanda, current chief operating officer. “After five years... more »

Specialty Crop Block Grant opportunity announced in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Jan. 7 a request for proposals through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural... more »

Looking at ways to improve irrigation management in 2021

A new resource is available from the University of Minnesota to provide some guidance about improving irrigation management. Over my two seasons as a vegetable crops educator in Minnesota, I've been surprised by the number... more »

Michigan Food and Farming Systems to host virtual SARE farmer forum

Several organizations, including Michigan Food and Farming Systems, will hold a virtual farmer forum on Jan. 13 Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NCR SARE) and Michigan State University Extension are... more »

Pesticide applicator credentials in Michigan extended until June

A new emergency rule filed on Dec. 30 by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell extended pesticide applicator credential expiration dates as part of the state’s continued COVID-19 response. Applicators... more »