Great Lakes Echo (http://greatlakesecho.org/tag/agriculture/page/2/)
All stories related to farming, including urban agriculture.
It may become mandatory for most potato seed growers to use only certified seed to prevent the spread of diseases that can threaten a valuable part of Michigan’s agricultural economy, under a bill awaiting the governor’s signature.
Many farmers are worried about possible retaliatory trade tariffs for agricultural products that Michigan exports to China and elsewhere. We talk to soybean, milk and agri-business groups about the potential impacts.
Some farmers are finding that leasing their land for solar power is more profitable than growing crops.
The director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development bemoans a lack of science in public decision making, including what she calls unwarranted opposition to genetically modified foods, a consumer push for cage-free eggs and skepticism about new ag technologies.
Michigan’s wine industry continues to grow with number of approved wineries rising from 55 to 138 in the past 10 years, including new ones in Charlevoix, Onsted, Hastings, Baroda and Metro Detroit. An inadequate supply of Michigan-grown grapes, rather than possible oversaturation of the market, might be the major concern for the industry.
Wolves scavenging improperly disposed dead cattle can prompt them to shrink their range, leading to more interactions with people.
A Michigan program offers up to 10 cents per meal for schools to purchase Michigan grown or processed food.
The full impact of wildfires in Northern California’s wine country is not yet clear.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been funding states and counties for years, trying to create buy-in from farmers in the fight against dangerous algae blooms. Starting in November the Great Lakes Commission will ask, “is it working?”
Rising temperatures due to climate change might bring more dairy farms into the Great Lakes region.