Grants: Agriculture/Pollution Prevention
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Scientific Irrigation Scheduling for SBW Producers
October 2001Designed to assist farmers who utilize irrigation for crop production, this project helped individuals better understand soil/water holding capacity, how evapotranspiration varies throughout the growing season, how water needs vary over time, and the movement of agricultural chemicals through the soil. WIN funding helped provide education, as well as allowed for the purchase of a Troxler Electron Moisture Sensor that allows for sensitive determination of water content at a variety of soil levels. The sensor is available to Extension agents throughout the watershed.
Organic Education and Advancement
October 2001This project provided education, training and experience in organic production certification and marketing for organic farmers who are interested in these practices. This project developed the framework for a decreased use of agricultural chemicals, developed the capacity for small-farm based organic production, and an increased profitability for producers who choose to participate in this niche market. Learning activities included group meetings, tours, on-farm demonstrations, field days, regional conferences, focus groups and mentorships.
Building Skill in Forage & Pasture Management
October 2001This program was designed to educate current producers and new livestock producers about the many facets of forage and pasture production and grazing management. Those project offered classes that included an introduction to managed rotational grazing, the importance of soil fertility and management, the establishment of forage crops, layout and design of grazing systems, animal nutrition, and pollution prevention. The project provided participants with the basic skills of forage and pasture management as well as contact people who can provide technical assistance after the formal classes ended.
Saginaw Bay Agriculture Marketing & Development Network
October 2001MSU is exploring the opportunity to develop a cross-discipline team of individuals that could assist producers in developing new networks, strategies and market opportunities for their products. The projects picked up on the need for expertise in areas of value-added production and niche markets, along with a diversification in farm produce that can help to make farming a more profitable endeavor. MSU developed a strategic network of individuals (including MSU Extension agents, economic development, leaders, and local lenders) who might be able to provide the needed business expertise to bring new, creative, and innovative products to the market.
MIFFS MarketLine Promotion
May 2001The Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems project is a non-profit 501©3 organization headquartered at Michigan State University. MIFFS focuses on fostering and implementing projects that attempt to improve the economic and social well-being of Michigan farms, farm communities, and the ecological well-being of Michigan’s natural resources. This project assisted in the expansion and promotion within the Saginaw Bay region of the MIFFS MarketLine website. MarketLine is designed to allow growers to register their ag-related products and consumers, such as restaurants or processors, to register the sorts of ag products they are searching for, thereby providing a link between local growers and local consumers that was not available prior to MarketLine