Building organic matter on sandy soils
Soil organic matter (SOM) is often considered the foundation of a healthy soil because it mediates many biological, chemical and physical soil properties — from water holding capacity to nutrient availability. Strategies for building SOM... more »
Stokes Seeds hires three U.S. territory managers
Stokes Seeds, Holland, Michigan, has added three U.S. territory managers to its staff. Each territory manager is responsible for seed and service to growers in their region, providing commercial vegetable seed recommendations and collaborating with... more »
May to bring first Michigan AgriTourism Summit
Recognizing the importance and value of agritourism to the state of Michigan, agritourism promoters are publicizing the inaugural Michigan Agritourism Summit. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 at the Hagerty Center in Traverse... more »
Biotic vs. abiotic: Diagnosing plant damage
When growers think of plant diseases, they usually consider those that are caused by living organisms like fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. These diseases are termed “biotic” and are infectious, meaning that under the right... more »
Safeguard and treat pumpkin, squash for powdery mildew
Pumpkin and squash are prominent members of the cucurbit family, along with melon, zucchini and cucumber. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, nearly 130,000 acres of pumpkin and squash crops were planted nationally, predominantly... more »
Vegetables part of BelleHarvest expansion
BelleHarvest is celebrating the success of its local Michigan vegetable program. Additionally, BelleHarvest has hired Nick Teriaca as director of sales and procurement. Teriaca will play a key role in driving the program's growth plans,... more »
Micheal de Schaaf joins MSU research center as farm manager
Michael de Schaaf is the new farm manager at the Michigan State University (MSU) Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor. De Schaaf, a small agricultural service business owner with nearly three decades of... more »
Purdue Extension offers farm finances webinar
Liz Brownlee of Partners in Food And Farming will lead a virtual lunch and learn on farm finances. “Farm Finances — Determining what ‘Success’ Looks Like on Your Farm,” will be from noon to 1... more »
Michigan Vegetable Council seeks disaster declaration for summer flooding
The Michigan Vegetable Council is seeking disaster area designations for three counties following substantial losses during summer flooding this summer. The council supports the designation for Lapeer, Macomb and Monroe counties, which could lead to... more »
Michigan offers $3.6 million to fight invasive species
Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2023 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants. The program — a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources;... more »
















