By Kyrmyzy Turebayeva
Pest birds are a nuisance for cherry orchards. A recent study found a possible solution: attracting kestrels to nest nearby.
Agriculture
Rooted in community, farmers markets continue to grow
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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.
Agriculture
Grants will boost research on PFAS contamination of farmland
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By Karlee VanAntwerp
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will give out $400,000 in grants for research about PFAS on farmlands and livestock.
Agriculture
‘None of this is normal’ – Michigan watches winter drought ahead of growing season
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By Sonja Krohn
The dry conditions and drought that Michigan is experiencing this winter may adversely affect the upcoming crop growing season.
Agriculture
Shifting farm economy means changes for rural communities
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By Lillian Williams
The shrinking number of farms in Michigan – down by about 1,300 between 2023 and 2024 – and the trend of existing farms to expand to survive is changing the culture of rural communities.
Agriculture
Michigan farmers face bankruptcies, other financial challenges
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By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Bankruptcies of Michigan farmers are troubling despite a dip in their Chapter 12 filings last year. Major reasons are higher expenses for inputs such as fertilizer coupled with flat commodity prices.
Agriculture
Corn season means return of farmers’ worries about tar spot fungus
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By Victoria Witke
Jacob Faist of Jackson County is among the state’s farmers worried about tar spot, an emerging disease in corn and silage fed to dairy cows. It can lower crop yield, reduce the nutritional value of the corn and reduce milk production. According to a study, Michigan and the Great Lakes region are particularly vulnerable. Researchers did the study in Branch, Ottawa, Ingham and Barry counties. Top producing counties include Lenawee and Ionia.
Agriculture
Better training for dairy farm workers would help farmers, study says
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By Victoria Witke
Consistent training of dairy farm workers can prevent mastitis, and improve milk quality and employee communication, according to a recent MSU study. The dairy industry contributes $15.7 billion yearly to the state economy. Huron and Clinton counties host the greatest number of dairy cows, and Lenawee, Missaukee and Ionia counties also have lots of them.
Agriculture
Cover crop mixes can cut carbon emissions from farms, study says
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By Victoria Witke
A new U-M study done in Lenawee, Tuscola and Monroe counties finds that cover crop mixtures on farms can help mitigate adverse impacts of climate change, instead of single species cover crops. There are concerns about the freezing of federal payments for agriculture programs.