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ANR in the News
It’s Thursday, August 20, 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
August 18, 2009
Battle Creek Enquirer
Calhoun County Fair king, queen chosen
On Sunday at the fairgrounds in Marshall, Brittnay Entsminger, a 2006 Pennfield High School graduate, was named queen, while Ross Daniel Williams, a Homer High School alumnus, was named king. Each received a $600 scholarship and will preside over the week-long 161st annual fair, the oldest in Michigan. Entsminger attends South Dakota State University, studying to become a wildlife biologist. She is a member of the university’s equestrian team and the Rebel Riders 4-H horse club in Calhoun County. http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090818/NEWS01/308180010/1002/NEWS01/Calhoun-County-Fair-king--queen-chosen
August 18, 2009
Gaylord Herald Times
MSU Extension to host food preservation class
The Michigan State University Extension will be hosting a 4-H Food Preservation Class for beginning youth and adults on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Learn the basics of canning and leave with a jar of homemade salsa. The class will take place 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. at the MSU Extension Demonstration Kitchen, 800 Livingston Blvd. Ste. 4A-2, Gaylord.
http://www.gaylordheraldtimes.com/articles/2009/08/18/news/local_news/doc4a8aea8969702021428074.txt
August 18, 2009
Google
Michigan researchers look at rutabagas for biofuel
Researchers at Michigan State University are working to turn the rutabaga into an oil-producing powerhouse that could make the turnip-like vegetable a better source of biofuel than other food crops. The idea is that the rutabaga, which stores oil in its seeds like some other biofuel crops, could be genetically modified to churn out more oil and store it throughout the plant. "If we could make it in the green tissues, like the leaves, stems or even underground tissues like storage roots, then we think we can make a lot more," professor Christoph Benning said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hcg-mSNzaS5nIZE3utPejwhVClmAD9A5536O0
August 18, 2009
Daily Press
Manistique looking at new education methods
The board adopted a "Michigan Green Communities Challenge" Resolution, in support of a feasibility study that will be done on the city, county, government buildings, etc., for a single heating unit fueled by natural resources. The heating unit would be less costly and would provide jobs locally, according to the project manager Dave Anderson, MSU Extension.
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/514368.html?nav=5003
August 17, 2009
Sellwood Garden Club
Michigan State’s Fruit and Vegetable Information Bonanza
Michigan State University Extension service published the “Preserving Food Safely” database online in August of 1999. Even a decade later, nearly all the information is reasonably current FDA guideline recommendations for most people. This database makes an excellent source of recipes for using vegetables, too. You can just use the alt-F key from your browser to look for the vegetable of your choice — especially ripe w/ preservation recipes.
http://sellwoodgardenclub.com/wordpress/?p=204
August 17, 2009
Examiner
Are Miracle of Life Exhibits humane?
At the State fair MSU veterinary students are generally there to monitor the births. They spend a great deal of their time trying to keep people from feeding the animals inappropriate food, or doing too much poking and prodding and trying to keep the noise down. They are to be commended for the generally excellent care they give the animals but they should really be protesting the inhumane and stressful conditions the animals are placed under. In smaller fairs local 4-H or FFA youth are generally the animal’s caretakers and these kids are often distracted and ill equipped to handle problems.
http://www.examiner.com/x-13632-Detroit-Country-Living-Examiner~y2009m8d17-Are-Miracle-of-Life-Exhibits-humane
August 17, 2009
Media-News
MSU dairy project promotes economic, environmental sustainability
Michigan State University’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station dairy herd this month hoofs it to a new pasture-based facility featuring automated milking stalls and energy-efficient design. State-of-the-art milking robotics aside, economic and environmental sustainability are driving forces. Located in Hickory Corners north of Kalamazoo, the KBS dairy includes two pastures for 120 lactating Holstein cows, plus “dry cows” and heifers. http://media-newswire.com/release_1096440.html
August 16, 2009
Mlive.com
Rinse away concerns about food pesticides
A Michigan State University fruit expert noted that Michigan growers tend to be smaller operations, and pride themselves on the careful use of pesticides. Whether the tiniest pesticide residue scares you or it is merely a concern, experts advise washing all produce under running water. We tend to remove most surfaces that would contain trace amounts of chemicals, anyway.
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/08/in_season_rinse_away_concerns.html
August 14, 2009
Record Eagle
Hort. station is turning 30
Congratulations are in order in Leelanau County -- the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station is turning the big 3-0. The NWMHRS became a reality for many area growers back in the late 1970s. At that time, much of the agricultural research around the state focused on apples, and although many growers produced apples in the northwest, their specialty was cherries.
http://www.record-eagle.com/business/local_story_226221237.html?keyword=secondarystory
August 13, 2009
Mlive
Proposed Genesee county budget
The county is in line to become just the second in Michigan not to have its own Michigan State University Extension office if recommendations for budget cuts become reality. And master gardener Joanie Snyder said that's a dubioius distinction the area can do without. "It would be a mistake (and) a shame," said Snyder, who serves as the chairwoman of demonstration gardens at Crossroads Village, a program coordinated through MSU Extension. "We provide a lot of volunteering. We save the county a lot of money (just) by keeping county parks looking good.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/08/proposed_genesee_county_budget.html
August 12, 2009
Mlive
Storms take toll on apple crop, nearly wiping out one orchard
Al Dietrich, co-owner of Ridgeview Orchards in Conklin, also estimated an 8 to 10 percent hit, mostly his Galas and Honeycrisps. "That's farming. You kind of expect that," Dietrich said. "We're just gonna have to take our lumps and move on." The good news, he said, is the heavy rains that accompanied the wind will benefit the remaining crop. "We've had disasters before, and we've survived them," Dietrich said, "and we'll survive this one." Bill Robb, senior district dairy educator for the MSU Extension, said field crops survived the storm nicely, soaking up the much-needed rain.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2009/08/storms_take_toll_on_apple_crop.html
August 12, 2009
Mlive
Flath's roots at fair run deep
``We keep our history of 4-H. When we have a question, we know where to go,'' Applegate said. As Flath walked along a table at the fairgrounds hours after Saturday's judging of flowers, she admired the work of some of the youngest competitors. She delicately lifted the cover of a booklet containing pages of pressed flowers of all shapes and colors. The creator, a 9-year-old member of the Hi-Steppers, won a ``best in show'' award for the project. Flath talked of the young girl's excitement as the book developed, and how she worked for months with family members to pull it together. It's that kind of enthusiasm Flath hopes will continue at the fair for years to come.
http://www.mlive.com/news/citpat/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1250085909137570.xml&coll=3
August 12, 2009
Chicago Tribune
Pesticides in your peaches: Tribune and USDA studies find pesticides, some in excess of EPA rules, in the fragrant fruit
To get some hard facts and new insights, the Tribune paid for lab tests on California organic peaches bought here and local farmers market peaches from Illinois and Michigan. The newspaper sent these samples to the same federal lab where the USDA does its pesticide testing and found promising results. Of the 50 compounds the Tribune had tested for, one showed up on the organic peaches and three or fewer pesticides were detected on the Michigan and Illinois peaches. "Our growers [in southwest Michigan] pride themselves on being very careful," said William Shane, district fruit educator for Michigan State University, when he learned how Michigan peaches fared in the test. "We also tend to have smaller operations and it's easier to keep track of pesticide use."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-0812-peaches-pesticides_mainaug12,0,2494206.story
August 11, 2009
Mlive
Controller says county government needs six-day shutdown to help balance its budget
County government offices would be shut down for six days to help cut away at a projected $15-million budget deficit, according to a plan proposed today by the county's top financial officer. Controller George Martini, who first forecasted a $15-million budget deficit in June, delivered that recommendation and a collection of other grim news in his deficit-reduction plan to the county Board of Commissioners, including: All funding for Michigan State University Extension-Genesee County needs to be eliminated, potentially leaving the future of master gardener, 4-H and other programs in question.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/08/controller_says_county_governm.html
August 11, 2009
Washington Post
In a neighborhood served by 26 liquor stores but only one grocery, a community group is peddling fresh fruits and vegetables like ice cream. Five days a week, the Peaches & Greens truck winds its way through the streets as a loudspeaker plays R&B and puts out the call: "Nutritious, delicious. Brought right to you. We have green and red tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes. We have greens, corn on the cob and cabbage, too." The truck set up like a small market brings affordable produce to families on public assistance, homebound seniors and others who can't reach the well-stocked grocery chains in the suburbs.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/11/AR2009081100534.html
August 10, 2009
Mlive
4-H Youngsters' projects ready to be judged at the fair
While today marks the first day of the Kalamazoo County Fair, its stars spent the weekend primping and preparing for the big week ahead. "Man, you guys stink," Sandy Henderson said to her son's two pigs, Houdini and Fat Tony, as they dug in the mud with their pink snouts. "Oh, lovely." Plenty of pig spanking and squealing filled the fairgrounds Saturday afternoon as Austin Henderson and other 4-H members corralled the pigs through a labyrinth of metal gates to be weighed and washed. It was humid, and a pig out of mud is not a happy pig. "When you're stressed, they get stressed, too," Austin Henderson said as he scrubbed Fat Tony with a stiff brush. Fat Tony, who was frantic just minutes ago, was snorting contentedly under a cool stream of hose water. http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/08/fair_teens.html
August 10, 2009
Monroe News
Weather, enthusiasm help make 4-H fair events a huge success
If the 4-H superintendents and parents could bottle up the fantastic weather and crowds for the shows and auctions last week for next year’s fair, they would do it. It was just that good of a week, said most superintendents who volunteered in the barns, craft buildings and 4-H Activity Center. "This was the best week I can remember," Ron Bash, general superintendent of the small animal barn, said during the annual 4-H small animal auction. Even Saturday’s downpour couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm built up since crafts arrived July 30. As Shirley Chapman, a 4-H lamb superintendent, put it, area fields and crops needed the moisture.
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090810/NEWS01/708109982
August 10, 2009
Morning Sun
Fair marks last as 4-H member for Coldwell
When Alissa Coldwell climbed the ladder to have the United States, Michigan and 4-H flags in the small animal barn at the Isabella County Fairgrounds Sunday, the moment was bittersweet. Coldwell, 20, an Alma College junior from Shepherd, has been hanging the flags the day before the fair kicks off for years. Sunday marked the last time she performed the task. This year's fair will be her last as a member of the Aim High 4-H Club. http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/08/10/news/srv0000006079592.txt
August 7, 2009
Monroe News
Third time's the charm for homemaker
There are some pretty strong family ties among the homemaker royalty this year at the Monroe County Fair. Judy Missler, 66, of Dundee, a longtime Monroe County 4-H leader, was named the 2009 Monroe County Fair Homemaker of the Year on Thursday. In 1997, her husband, Gerald, won homemaker of the year. Mr. Missler wasn’t able to attend the ceremony this year because of his health, but the winner had a loud cheering section anyway. Kathy Hartwig of Carleton, the 2008 homemaker who will compete in a few weeks at the Michigan State Fair for the state title, also had the honor of congratulating her daughter, Marci McIntosh of Carleton, as the first-runner up. http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090807/NEWS01/708079960
August 6, 2009
Livingston Daily
Cold summer puts crops behind schedule Few farmers planted their crops on time this year because rainy, cool temperatures persisted into the summer months, although crops in the county have only been slowed by a couple of weeks, agriculturists said. "Relatively few fields got planted on time," said Dean Ross, district dairy educator for Livingston County's Michigan State University Extension office. "More than likely, it was too wet and cool to get into the field." The National Weather Service in White Lake Township reported temperatures in the region have been below normal since May, with July temperatures below average by 5 degrees. It reported the current summer average temperature as 68.5 degrees. http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20090806/NEWS01/908060314
August 5, 2009
Los Angeles Times
Goji taunts North American Farmers
Can it be that goji, the supposed legendary miracle fruit of ancient Tibet, is being
grown in Dinuba? Nothing is surprising when it comes to this tiny orange berry. Virtually unknown in the United States five years ago, it is now seemingly everywhere, n martinis, granolas, nutritional supplements and even Lindsay Lohan's tanning spray. But so far this much-hyped "superfruit," so trendy and expensive, has been available only in processed form, in imported juices, powders and dried berries; the fresh berries themselves, eagerly sought by aficionados, have been unobtainable in the U.S. http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-goji5-2009aug05,0,1276183.story
August 5, 2009
MSU News
EARTH University president to discuss sustainability
In an effort to boost educational programs in sustainable agriculture and protection of national resources, Michigan State University's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will host a special lecture with EARTH University President José Zaglul on Aug. 10. The lecture, "Partners in Sustainability: International Academic Programs at EARTH University," is free and open to the public. It will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Spartan Room B of the Crossroads Cafeteria in the International Center. http://news.msu.edu/story/6656/
August 4, 2009
The Daily Reporter
First 4-H Fair Queen is parade Grand Marshal
Helen Lothamer considers it to have been a great honor to be named Branch County 4-H Fair Queen, the first in a long line of royalty since she was crowned in 1937. “But in my mind, I always thought that Grace Moore deserved the honor, because she had won many more awards than I did,” she recalled. Lothamer will be the Grand Marshal in this year’s 4-H Fair parade, which will wind through downtown Coldwater this Saturday, Aug. 8, at 4:30 p.m. http://www.thedailyreporter.com/news/x2121670043/First-4-H-Fair-Queen-is-parade-Grand-Marshal
August 2, 2009
Lansing State Journal
Rider ready for fair
"My mom (Laura) had horses since she was little - I've been around them as long as
I could," she said.Last year, she showed her Welsh pinto pony, "Oreo" at the Ingham County Fair and won Grand Champion Showmanship Pony and Grand Champion English Pleasure Pony honors as a member of the Saddle Mates 4-H Club.She's getting ready to show "Oreo" at the 2009 fair, which began Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 8."It's a lot of fun, having the 4-H club there and to have fun with my friends," Carlson said."Oreo" stays with her grandmother, Melanie Pletcher, who said Audrey stays busy caring for "Oreo" and another Morgan gelding. http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090802/WILLIAMSTON01/908020550/1001/NEWS
August 1, 2009
Cheboygan Daily Tribune
It’s almost county fair time!
Growing up visiting the county fair was always one of my favorite activities. As an exhibitor for many years, I can appreciate the hard work that goes into preparing for the county fair — from the perspective of a 4-H member, a 4-H leader and an open class exhibitor. Even though a lot of sweat (and sometimes tears) is involved in preparing for the fair, it remained one of my favorite events throughout my time in 4-H. It’s now time for one of the favorite parts of the year for many Cheboygan County 4-H members — it’s FAIR TIME!
http://www.cheboygannews.com/lifestyle/calendar/x1911310828/It-s-almost-county-fair-time
July 31, 2009
Breakfast on the Farm
What did you miss at the 2009 Michigan Dairy Expo? A lot!
This year’s Michigan Dairy Expo (July 20-24) was another successful one! Even with the sour dairy economy, close to 200 exhibitors brought in around 400 head of dairy animals to compete in the week’s schedule of shows and other events. This year’s commercial heifer sale was cancelled because of the poor market, but aside from that, things were rather festive and upbeat. The cool weather (read: not 100+ degrees and humid!) also added to the pleasantness, for sure.
http://breakfastonthefarm.com/2009/07/31/what-did-you-miss-at-the-2009-michigan-dairy-expo-a-lot/
July 31, 2009
Daily Press
Welcome Newborns offers parent help
When it comes to caring for newborns, there may not be a bag of tricks for parents to use, but there is a Welcome Newborns bag that will make parenting much easier. Thanks to Michigan State University Extension's Welcome Newborns: Help for Healthy Beginnings program, every mother utilizing the birthing facilities at OSF St. Francis Hospital receives a Welcome Newborns tote bag filled with information, gifts and helpful hints for healthy newborns. This invaluable tote is not limited to those giving birth at OSF, though.
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/514113.html
July 30, 2009
ABC Local
Michigan wheat crop hurt by wet weather
Too much rain at the wrong time has damaged thousands of acres of wheat in the Thumb. For some farmers, this means a complete crop loss, while others say they might be able to salvage some of the growth. This year the weather has not been kind to farmers who planted soft white wheat. "Hundreds of dollars per acre invested into this wheat field, and, for the most part, it's a loss," MSU Extension field crops educator Bob Battel said. http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6940020
July 29, 2009
The Alpena News
EPA vessel makes stop in Alpena
Alpena was among the stops this week for a group of teachers who have had the chance to study the science of Lake Huron with researchers aboard a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency vessel. The group of 15 educators from across Michigan and other states including Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and New York, are participating in the Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence's Lake Huron Shipboard and Shoreline Science Workshop. The teachers have conducted research alongside scientists aboard the 180-foot EPA research vessel Lake Guardian. http://www.thealpenanews.com/page/content.detail/id/506147.html?nav=5004
July 29, 2009
The Munising News
Hoophouse Erected in Munising Last Week
Munising residents may notice a conspicuous new addition to the neighborhood . Construction began on a 1,500-foot, passive solar greenhouse, otherwise known as a hoophouse. With this experiemental project, MSU Extension representatives and community leaders hope to provide a model for small farmers to increase their incomes....
Sorry, no link available.
This week on ANR@MSU:
August 10, 2009
Can Those “Amber Waves Of Grain” Become Perennials?
By Laura Probyn
Every time a farmer plants a cash crop, he or she makes a substantial investment of money, time and labor resources. But what if that crop wasn’t something that had to be planted every year, but instead, sprouted out of the ground each spring and was ready for a summer harvest? Michigan State University (MSU) associate professor of crop and soil sciences at the Kellogg Biological Station, Sieg Snapp, is addressing that question.
Her team is studying the possibilities for developing perennial wheat as a crop for environmentally friendly agricultural production. She’s conducting this work thanks to a four-year, one million dollar U.S. Department of Agriculture organic research grant.
http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/can-those-“amber-waves-of-grain”-become-perennials/
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