Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/author/lcole/)
Lily Cole is a junior at MSU studying journalism. She is passionate about human interest stories and the world around her. Her main environmental interest stems from her passion for human-centered stories, and she’d like to explore environmental issues in that way. In her free time, she likes to read and write short stories. She also likes to FaceTime her sister (almost) every night to see her dog, Nitz – he is the light of her life!
By Lily Cole
Nationally, farmers markets are growing rapidly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 2,863 markets in 2000, with that number rising to more than 8,700 in 2025. In Michigan alone, more than 200 markets offer amenities for patrons, including fresh produce and special events.
By Lily Cole
No matter the season, organizations across the Great Lakes region are fighting to keep waterways garbage-free.