Echo
Living with fossils
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A case for thinking about nature on a different timescale.
Echo
Michigan pet owners mistreating their animals may have to pay shelter costs
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People charged with neglecting and abusing animals would have to pay for the animals’ shelter expenses during their court proceedings, if recently introduced legislation becomes law.
Echo
Great Lakes region WWII armory preserves Indigenous village
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Researchers are studying a long-vanished village near southern Lake Michigan that a World War II arsenal helped preserve.
Agriculture
‘Organic growth’ fuels record-breaking agritourism season, experts say
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Michigan farms that offer agricultural tourism opportunities have seen record-breaking attendance over the past two years.
Echo
Projections rosy for the upcoming Christmas tree season
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With stores already in the full swing of the Christmas season, many people are already thinking about the centerpiece of decorations: the real Christmas tree.
Echo
Mental health resources grow for Michigan farmers
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Farmers are known for their ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ mentality. It is rare they’ll admit they’re getting mental health help.
Echo
Michigan seed libraries grow food resilience
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As with books at traditional libraries, seed libraries contain seeds that circulate among community members.
COVID-19
Communities welcome return of winter festivals
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By Sammy Schuck
Most people may know that festivals attract people to Michigan communities. What most may not know is that festivals and events in the state are an annual $1 billion industry, according to Michigan Festivals and Events Association CEO Mike Szukhent. According to Szukhent, the lack of winter festivals last year “hit hard.”
There are over 800 festivals in Michigan in a normal year, and the Flushing-based association works with most of them, assisting with advocacy, training, marketing and promotion, Szukhent said. Szukhent emphasizes the importance of such events to local economies. A worker shortage is one major challenge festivals have faced since May 2021 and which will challenge winter festivals this upcoming winter, he said.
Contaminants
Advocates push ban of chemicals in food packaging
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Some lawmakers and environmental advocates want to ban chemicals in food packaging that they say threatens the health of Michiganders.