ANR in the News
ANR in the News is provided by ANR Communications
For more information, contact: Dr. Ruth Borger
517-432-1555, ext. 153
It’s Thursday, September 10, 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
September 3, 2009
Ludington Daily News
How cool is that? Record from 1901 falls
Oceana County MSU Extension Director Norm Myers said he believes most of the shoreline there made it through the night without frost. The low temps at the Van Nortwick Farms on the Mason-Oceana county line and Hart thermometers were 36.5 degrees and 38.3 degrees, respectively, but they were only that low for an hour or so.
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=45686
September 2, 2009
Free Press
AmeriCorps volunteer sought for housing work
Michigan State University Extension is seeking an AmeriCorps volunteer to help with foreclosure intake and education activities. The person is to help homeowners who are delinquent or in danger of becoming delinquent on their mortgage. The position requires a 1,700-hour service commitment for up to a year. A living stipend is provided, and an education award will be given at the completion of the service hours. http://www.freep.com/article/20090902/NEWS04/909020330/1006/Macomb-County-news--Public-affairs-team-s-last-day-today
September 2, 2009
Candgnews.com
‘Fall’ into lawn and garden care
“Michigan State University Extension is the best way to go -- they have extension offices in every county, and they will give you a complete statistical breakdown of your lawn’s pH. You can get a home test yourself for about $2, but that’s nowhere near as accurate.” According to MSU Extension’s Web site, the optimum soil pH range is between 6.0 and 7.0, which keeps nutrients most available for plant growth. A regular soil test includes determination of soil pH, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels, as well as recommendations for lime and fertilizer.
http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2009/9-02-09/fall-garden-lawn-care.asp
September 1, 2009
Monroe News
Growing food and friendships
Judy Lynch’s eyes teared up as she picked tomatoes and talked about the meaning of the garden that goes far beyond growing fruits and vegetables.
She was tending her garden plot at Monroe Church of the Nazarene, which formed the Amber Garden Ministries that offers plots to the public. It was named after Ms. Lynch’s daughter, Mary Amber Grahl, who was killed Feb. 19 in her Frenchtown Township apartment. She was a victim of a neighbor, Timothy Shock, who police believed murdered Ms. Grahl, 37, before he committed suicide. Organizers prepared for the opening last spring with the help of the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension. The church also offered a "gardening 101" class to teach basic skills.
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090831/NEWS01/308319998/-1/NEWS
September 1, 2009
Free Press
Don’t let your phone rule your life
A British employment law firm, Peninsula, surveyed 600 white collar workers and found that BlackBerry-equipped employees worked an average 15 more hours a week than colleagues without smart phones. This does not surprise Beth Stuever, a Michigan State University Extension Services communications manager. She says the iPhone she purchased three months ago has "revolutionized the way I work." http://www.freep.com/article/20090901/COL35/909010327/1012/NEWS10/Don-t-let-your-phone-rule-your-life
August 31, 2009
Holland Sentinel
Blueberry blight wipes out Fennville research station
A month after infection of area blueberry bushes by two viruses was first reported, researchers at the Trevor Nichols Research Complex in Saugatuck Township continue to investigate how the diseases were introduced into Michigan as well as do research on testing and monitoring the plant diseases.
But ultimately the Michigan State University’s agricultural research station’s four acres of blueberries will have to be destroyed, effectively ending research at the site for four or five years, said Annemiek Schilder, an associate professor of plant pathology and blueberry researcher. http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1991351364/Blueberry-blight-wipes-out-Fennville-research-station
August 31, 2009
Mlive.com
Watermelon, zucchini, tomatoes, hot peppers, recipes from MSU Extension combine the best summer has to offer
When you're looking for recipes for those fruits and vegetables growing in your garden, the best place to look is the Downtown Bay City Farmer's Market. And the best person to look up is Market Master Jan Rise, who also coordinates the Master Gardner program for Michigan State University Extension.
http://www.mlive.com/food/index.ssf/2009/08/post_40.html
August 31, 2009
WLNS
Blueberry virus strikes Michigan State University research center
The bloom could be off Michigan's $124 million per year blueberry industry after two destructive viruses infected bushes in three locations. Particularly upsetting to scientists is where 1 of the outbreaks occurred -- Michigan State University's agricultural research station in Allegan County's Saugatuck Township, about four miles from Lake Michigan. An outbreak of blueberry shock is forcing scientists to destroy plants that represent two decades and millions of dollars of research. It will take years for new plants to mature so research can resume. http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=11017086&nav=5D7v
August 30, 2009
Livingston Daily
Group swarmed by angry wasps
On Thursday, 2-year-old Hamburg Township triplet boys, their 11-year-old aunt and 16-year-old baby sitter were attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets outside their home just after 6 p.m. "If you violate their home, yellow jackets get extremely angry," said Gretchen Voyle, horticulture educator at the Michigan State University Extension-Livingston County. "They're very territorial, they'll get very put out. A wasp can sting you 'til it's time to go home for lunch."
http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20090830/NEWS01/908300333/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Group-swarmed-by-angry-wasps
August 30, 2009
Eurekaalert.org
MSU researchers improve zebrafish cloning methods
A team of Michigan State University researchers has developed a new, more efficient way of cloning zebra fish, a breakthrough that could have implications for human health research. The work of the MSU researchers, detailed in the recent issue of the journal Nature Methods, is important because zebra fish, small striped fish common to many aquariums, are quickly becoming the animal of choice for many researchers.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/msu-mri082709.php
August 29, 2009
Mlive.com
Genesee County cut of MSU Extension would hurt 4-H
Looking at the pride and determination on the faces of the 4-H kids at the Genesee County Fair, I can't help but wonder why the Board of Commissioners would ever consider eliminating the funding for MSU Extension, which will wipe out the 4-H groups and master gardener program, to name a few. Kids involved in such programs have significant, positive changes in attitude and behavior in school and increased academic success. Such programs have parent involvement and keep kids off the street. It is also the largest out-of-school organization in Michigan.
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2009/08/genesee_county_cut_of_msu_exte.html
This week on ANR@MSU:
September 3, 2009
Dean Armstrong Welcomes Students Back to Campus
By: Francie_One
As the new academic year begins, CANR Dean Jeffrey Armstrong welcomes students to the MSU campus. (Youtube Video)
http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/dean-armstrong-welcomes-students-back-to-campus/
September 3, 2009
Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart (and for bringing people together)
By: ecgianiodis
Today’s economy is forcing some families to make tough choices. That’s where a partnership between Michigan State University (MSU) and the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) comes in. The partnership, in its 26th year, is all about providing families, individuals and agencies with fresh produce from the MSU farms. T he GLFB provides volunteers through its Garden Project Gleaning Program to harvest surplus from campus farms and distribute it to low-income families and individuals and to agencies that serve those in need. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/beans-beans-they’re-good-for-your-heart-and-for-bringing-people-together/
August 27, 2009
Nothing goes better with ice cream than…eggs?
By: Sara Long
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for…eggs!” Eggs? That’s right, eggs. Ice cream aficionados who frequent the Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Store have something new to be enthused about: eggs. Along with your favorite flavor of MSU-made ice cream or cheese, fresh eggs produced locally by laying hens at the MSU Poultry Teaching and Research Center are available for purchase from the MSU Dairy Store. The addition of eggs to the product line-up is a win-win for both the MSU Poultry Research Farm and the MSU Dairy Store. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/nothing-goes-better-with-ice-cream-than-eggs/
To see news releases sent out by ANR Communications, go to our website www.anrcom.msu.edu/ and click “news”.