ANR in the News is provided by ANR Communications
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ANR in the News
It’s Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Welcome to the ANR News, a weekly update of news and events about Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. The following are recent stories naming MSU ANR [CANR, MAES, MSUE] people and programs in major national, regional, and local media outlets
July 10, 2009
The Daily Press
‘Purple Box’ Survey In Year 2
The "purple boxes" survey is in it's second year in the area. Last summer's survey determined the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Delta County. Bill Cook, MSU Extension forester and biologist, said he has more or less kept on top of the invasive species issue in the area. He said we have three areas of infestation in the U.P. and they have all been there for at least five years, but were only more recently discovered. "It's not a function of the number of bugs; it's a function of the number of trees," said Cook. http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/513770.html?nav=5003
July 10, 2009
The Holland Sentinel
Ottawa Hopes To Grow New Crop Of Ag Business
Ottawa County officials want to land a new business incubator to help grow high-tech, agriculture-related companies. No details are final, but officials want to create a center near Coopersville that supports tech-related, agriculture start-ups. The center would be one of three in Michigan, and the county still needs approval of a $200,000 state grant. The center would not work with food processors, but rather with businesses specializing in areas like agricultural management software, advanced food-processing equipment and agricultural consulting. “It’s something that can help not only local producers but the local economy,” said Adam Kantrovich, director of the Michigan State University Extension in Ottawa County. “There has been a great deal of positive feedback from various individuals and groups in the county that could benefit from the facility.” http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x488833582/Ottawa-hopes-to-grow-new-crop-of-ag-business
July 10, 2009
Monroe News
Focused On The Future
Michael Ammerman is not even in high school yet, but he’s already received money for college. Michael was awarded a Michigan State University Pre-College Scholarship worth $2,000 for his performance in 4-H Exploration Days. His academic record, personal essay and recommendations letters also were considered for the award. "I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and it will get me farther in life," Michael, 14, said. "This is a pretty big honor." http://www.monroenews.com/article/20090710/NEWS01/707109994/-1/NEWS
July 8, 2009
Detroit News
Inventive Solutions Soar
There are definitely more enterprising individuals trying to bring their inventions to fruition at the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, which helps entrepreneurs start their business, associate director Ruben Derderian said. "It's more the entrepreneurial spirit that drives them than being out of work," he said. http://www.detnews.com/article/20090708/BIZ/907080342/Inventive-solutions-soar
July 8, 2009
MSU News
MSU Freshman Seminars Allow Students To Travel The State, The World
Michigan State University’s Freshman Seminars give new MSU students the opportunity to see research in action, and the impact it has in our Michigan communities and throughout the world. This summer, the very first course some new freshmen will take will be in such faraway places as South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. Or right here in Michigan, taking part in seminars in Detroit or MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station in Gull Lake. Freshman Seminars are designed to give first-year students a taste of how universities use scholarship and research – even before these students begin their first year on campus. http://news.msu.edu/story/6538/
July 8, 2009
Traverse City Record Eagle
Cherry Connection Touts Industry
The cherry ice cream and barnyard animals appealed to Alyssa Holley, 7. Rabbits, ducks and sheep, in particular. Her dad liked that she was learning something."It's a great education for these guys, and for us," said Scott Holley, a Macomb Township resident whose family took in the National Cherry Festival while on vacation in Traverse City.The Holleys and other festival attendees learned about climate, environment, pesticides and aspects of cherry farming at a recent Cherry Connection event, held at Michigan State University's Horticultural Research Station in Leelanau County's Bingham Township. http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_189070614.html
July 5, 2009
Free Press
Food Comes A Long Way
Detroiters, do you know where your food comes from? Chances are, it comes from pretty far away. Michael Hamm, the C.S. Mott professor of sustainable agriculture at Michigan State University, says that virtually all the food consumed by Detroiters at home or in restaurants comes from distant states and other nations -- fruits and vegetables from California, bananas from South America, and so forth. But Hamm said Detroit's vast vacant and abandoned spaces offer the possibility of growing more food here -- a lot more. A recent study conducted by one of his students found that Detroit has suitable vacant land to grow 76% of the vegetables and 42% of the fruits Detroiters need for a healthy diet. http://www.freep.com/article/20090705/BUSINESS04/907050457/Community+farming+a+seed+of+hope+in+city+soil
July 5, 2009
The Morning Sun
Corn Crop About 'Knee High'
The cool, wet spring got mid-Michigan's corn crop off to a slow start, but it looks as if most of the crop will have reached the "knee-high by the Fourth of July" benchmark. "The crop has good color," said Michigan State University Extension agent Paul Gross. "There have been no pest problems reported." That's different from a few weeks ago, when wet and cold conditions were slowing down the progress of crop growth across the region. Temperatures that spiked into the 90s in late June spurred some serious growth in the corn crop, and it's almost caught up to where it should be. The Michigan Agriculture Statistics Service says that last year at this time, corn averaged about 20 inches tall; this year, it's about 18 inches. http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/07/05/news/srv0000005759026.txt
July 5, 2009
Detroit News
Childcare Workshops To Be Offered
Better Kid Care workshops are part of a statewide childcare provider training series presented by the MSU Extension, Penn State University and Early Childhood Investment Corporation. The workshops are designed to enhance the skills of providers by giving them knowledge they need about appropriate child care practices. All face-to-face trainings count toward required CEU attainment for licensed child care providers, relative providers and day care aides. http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20090705/NEWS05/90705006/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Childcare-workshops-to-be-offered-
July 2009
Cadillac News
Celebrate Women! Raises $20K For OASIS
There were 46 gift baskets handed out to raffle ticket winners by local law enforcement officers dressed in suits. There was a fashion show featuring the styles of local retailers and modeled by women from the community. And there was a delicious luncheon served at the Cadillac Grill as 300 area women gathered to raise money for the OASIS/Family Resource Center. The 14th annual Celebrate Women! Style show and luncheon held Wednesday at the Cadillac Grill also singled out three outstanding women for special honors. This year’s honorees were Shannon Lindquist, Bonnie Campbell and Janet Neyer. http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/?story_id=922889&year=2009
July 4, 2009
The Horse
Brazilian Cart Horse Care A Focus For MSU Researcher
When Camie Heleski, PhD, MS, traveled to Brazil to attend a conference in 2000, she noticed that the horses used to pull carts transporting people throughout the country's villages appeared frail and their hair looked brittle and dull. The animals also displayed lesions on their bodies where dry sweat would build up under their leather harnesses. In Brazil cart horses are used for transporting goods to markets and carrying recyclables from the streets, such as plastics and metal scraps, to be sold to recycling centers for profit. Cart horses are often used by Brazilians who can't afford vehicles. When Heleski, coordinator of the Michigan State University (MSU) horse management program, returned home from the conference, she made a commitment to improving the welfare and quality of care for cart horses in Brazil. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14467
July 4, 2009
WWJ Newsradio
New Class Helps Kids Handle Money
A Macomb County group wants to make sure children get the right start in learning how to manage their money. The county's MSU Extension is offering a free, 'Money Smart from the Start' class to teach parents of 3-8 year-olds about the importance of money and saving. In these tough times, Program Educator Jeanne Latkin says many parents could use some help. "Basically, parents struggle with their own money issues. Some parents, growing up, didn't have good money role models themselves, and perhaps they were scolded by their parents for how they used money, and so, money wasn't something that was discussed in their home." http://www.wwj.com/New-Class-Helps-Kids-Handle-Money/4734841
July 3, 2009
Traverse City Record Eagle
Ag Forum: 'Cherry Connection' At Station Ag Forum: 'Cherry Connection' At Station
Each summer Michigan State University Extension, the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station and the Cherry Marketing Institute team up to place the "cherry" on top of the National Cherry Festival -- so to speak. Since 1995, MSU Extension and research station staff have welcomed National Cherry Festival participants to visit the research farm located on Center Highway in Leelanau County. http://www.record-eagle.com/business/local_story_184224551.html
July 3, 2009
Lansing State Journal
MSU Summer Program Is A Grand Time For All
More than 850 grandparents and grandchildren became college students at Michigan State University. For three days, that is. Thursday was the last day of Grandparents University, a three-day program hosted by MSU. It gave grandparents, a majority of whom are MSU alumni, a chance to bond with their grandchildren ages 8-12, while re-living the college experience. Grandparents University was started in June 2006 as an alumni outreach program among the College of Natural Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the School of Packaging. http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090703/NEWS06/907030323
July 3, 2009
The Detroit News
Caterpillar Infestation Leaves Swath Of Destruction In Northern Michigan
This has been a bizarre year for Michigan's foliage, with a major increase in the number of tent caterpillars setting up camp and wreaking havoc. Their voracious appetites have left behind bare branches, weakened trees and could put a dent in the scenery when the fall colors arrive. "It's definitely been a tough year," said Cidney Steeb, master gardener coordinator for MSU Extension's office in Emmet County, where tent caterpillars have been particularly pervasive. Caterpillars have caused a swath of damage through the top part of the state's mitt. http://www.detnews.com/article/20090703/METRO/907030336/1409/METRO/Caterpillar-infestation-leaves-swath-of-destruction-in-northern-Michigan
July 2, 2009
Daily Press
Milk Money Not Enough
The price of milk has taken a nosedive and dairy farmers nationwide are losing money on sales and struggling to cover operational expenses. Local dairy farmers say this is the worst downturn they've experienced in decades, and some wonder if their dairy operations may be nearing an end. Nationwide statistics show the price of milk is down 50 percent from last year, and is at the lowest in nearly a decade. "Dairy farmers are definitely feeling the pinch," said MSU Extension Educator Warren Schauer. "The prices have been way down since last winter, and although they've rebounded a bit since then, they're not anywhere near to the prices they were last year. http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/513637.html?nav=5003
July 1, 2009
MSUE Spotlight
MSU Extension Team Annual Reports Win Awards
As MSU Extension faces a major budget crisis, an important criterion for our future is our ability to tell the story of all the great educational programs we conduct, and all the assistance we provide to individuals, families, businesses and communities. One important venue for creating and delivering knowledge has been our area of expertise Teams. Over the past three years, teams have been asked to increase the reporting of the impacts of their educational initiatives, including quantitative measures of behavioral changes. Teams submit calendar-year reports that are due the following spring (be sure to log in to the portal before clicking that link). http://msuespotlight.com/2009/07/01/annual-report-awards/
July 1, 2009
Examiner.com
Canning And Food Preservation Classes
There may be an abundance of locally grown fruits and vegetables on the market right now but how do you continue to eat locally this winter? By learning to preserve some of summer’s bounty just like your grandmother did. Canning and freezing some of the healthy, locally grown food may also save you money. Although you may have to purchase jars for canning think of them as an investment because with care, you can re-use them for many years. The Lapeer County MSU Extension office is sponsoring a series of home food preservation classes. http://www.examiner.com/x-13632-Detroit-Country-Living-Examiner~y2009m7d1-Canning-and-food-preservation-classes
July 1, 2009
TheHorse.com
Horse Manure Management The Subject Of Michigan State Program
Horse owners who keep their animals in suburban settings might find challenges in handling manure to avoid issues with odor or flies that can strain neighborly relationships. To help them learn strategies for managing and composting manure, a Michigan State University (MSU) Extension program is scheduled for two western Michigan locations in August. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14460
July 1, 2009
Mlive.com
Genesee County's Agriculture Industry Helps Ailing Local Economy
Farmers saw big price increases for their crops in 2007 and 2008, said Bill Knudson, product marketing economist at the MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Since then prices have gone down a little bit, he said. "There were a lot of factors," Knudson said. "The biggest factor we think is there has been a growing global demand for food." Knudson said some factory workers farm part-time so he wouldn't be surprised if laid off workers were turning to farming for additional income. http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2009/07/genesee_county_michigan_they.html
June 30, 2009
Michigan Farmer
Msu Scientists Want More Research Dollars For Domestic Animals
Michigan State University (MSU) animal science professors James Ireland, George Smith and Jose Cibelli and five colleagues from other institutions warned in the recent issue of Science that the continuing decline in federal funding for animal and biomedical research jeopardizes animal science studies. The researchers noted that, though the economic value of livestock and poultry in the United States exceeds $132 billion, only 0.04% ($32.15 million) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's budget was allocated to its competitive grants programs for research involving farm animals. In comparison, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget for human health research is nearly $30 billion. http://michiganfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=24560&c=9
June 30, 2009
WSJM
Msu Extension Offer Free Pesticide Collection Day
Farmers, golf courses and other commercial users of pesticides can get rid of their old, banned or unusable chemicals next month with the help of the MSU Extension Office in Benton Township. MSU Extension Director Joanne Davidhizar says that a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture has made possible the pesticide disposal for free. http://www.wsjm.com/MSU-Extension-Offer-Free-Pesticide-Collection-Day/4709521
June 29, 2009
Petoskey News-Review
'CSI Tree And Shrub Diagnostic Workshop' July 11
To help cope with garden pests and disease, Emmet County MSU Extension and the Master Gardener Program will be hosting “CSI Tree and Shrub Diagnostic Workshop” from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Emmet County Fairgrounds in Petoskey. Speakers will include Kidd, who in addition to serving as Roscommon County MSU Extension director, is a district forestry educator and a member of the MSU woody ornamentals expertise team; Dean Solomon, Charlevoix County MSU Extension director and forestry educator; Dennis Fulbright, who has been professor for more than 30 years in the department of plant pathology at MSU; and Ben Veling of Timberwolf Tree Care who has 16 years experience as an ISA certified arborist. http://www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2009/06/29/outdoor/doc4a48b0380ae80083873947.txt
June 28, 2009
The County Press
Artwork Of Two Lapeer County Children To Be Shared With Students In China As Part Of Exchange
Two Lapeer County students have had their artwork chosen for an annual exchange with China. Robert Wodowski and Riley Tanis will have their creations they made in the In His Image Art class chosen as part of the China Art Exchange 2009. Their teacher is Connie DeSimpelare. The students were honored for their work at a brief ceremony Thursday. Host for the event was the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension office of Lapeer County and Lapeer County 4-H Educator Patricia Waugh.
http://www.countypress.com/stories/062809/loc_20090628082.shtml
June 25, 2009
BattleCreekEnquirer.com
Mowry Receives $500 Burrell E. Henry Memorial Scholarship
The Burrell E. Henry Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce its 2009 recipient of its $500.00 Scholarship. She is Sara Mowry of rural Burlington and the daughter of Allen and Kimberly Mowry. She was a 2007 graduate of Harper Creek High School and has been attending Michigan State University since then. She will be a junior at MSU in the Fall Semester, studying Agribusiness Management. The Burrell E. Henry Memorial Scholarship awards scholarships annually to graduates of school districts within the Calhoun Intermediate School District who have been accepted at Michigan State University in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources or related majors. Sara is the 127th recipient of this award. http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090625/NEIGHBORHOODS05/906250334/Mowry+receives++500+Burrell+E.+Henry+Memorial+Scholarship
ANR@MSU is the ANR Communications blog covering news, events, issues and opinions about Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. If you have topic ideas, contact Ruth Borger or Natalie Ebig Scott.
This week on ANR@MSU:
June 30, 2009
MSU Potato Specialist Chris Long And Why I Am Craving Potato Chips
By: Natalie Scott
I love my job here at Michigan State University (MSU). Yesterday, I was continually reminded just how much by spending the day with MSU potato specialist Chris Long in Montcalm County, Michigan. What was forecast as a rainy, dreary day was instead oh, so enlightening. At its very core, telling stories is my job, and Chris Long is just one chapter in the book of why Project GREEEN, the initiative I serve as communications manager, really works. You see, Chris is employed by MSU Extension, but funding for his position really represents the public/private/university partnership that Project GREEEN was created to address. GREEEN and MSU Extension funding cover half of Chris’ salary, and the other half comes from the Michigan Potato Industry Commission, the commodity group that represents Michigan potato growers. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/chrislong/
June 24, 2009
Fireworks And Dry Vegetation A Bad Mix
By: Laura Probyn
It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that fireworks and dry grass or leaves are a bad combination. The fire and heat that fireworks produce can easily set dry vegetation on fire. With the July 4 holiday upon us, people need to be aware that they could be the cause of a costly wildfire. “Each year we see homes and other structures damaged or destroyed by fires caused by fireworks,” said Mark Hansen, Michigan State University Extension wildfire specialist. “In 2007, for instance, a wildfire near Saugatuck that was caused by fireworks destroyed three homes.” http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/fireworks-and-dry-vegetation-a-bad-mix/
To see news releases sent out by ANR Communications, go to our website www.anrcom.msu.edu/ and click “news”.