ANR in the News is provided by ANR Communications
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ANR in the News
It’s Monday, October 19, 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
October 15, 2009
Detroit News
State program teaches agriculture to homeless veterans
A new program is preparing homeless veterans in Michigan for careers in agriculture. Veterans to Agriculture -- which administrators say is the only program of its kind in the country -- began in September when the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth partnered with Michigan State University under the state's No Worker Left Behind initiative to train veterans for agricultural jobs. The program graduated its first class of 14 early this month. Five participants started jobs at a Christmas tree farm near Cadillac this week and others will be placed elsewhere as positions open. The four-week program's curriculum, which was developed by MSU's Institute of Agricultural Technology and is taught by MSU staff and agriculture professionals, includes lessons on soil science and equipment operation. Trainees also learn conversational Spanish so they can communicate with migrant workers. http://www.detnews.com/article/20091015/BIZ/910150350/1001/biz
October 14, 2009
State News
A new kind of plant
In response to Michigan’s emerging green economy, MSU has created a graduate program and proposed an undergraduate program dealing with green industry, said Doug McKenna, associate registrar for certification services. The graduate level program, a specialization within the College of Business called business concepts for environmental sustainability and conservation, is in its first year. The proposed undergraduate level program, a specialization in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources called global sustainability, awaits approval. More programs and courses to prepare students for green jobs likely will emerge in the future, as the industry continues to develop, McKenna said.
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/10/a_new_kind_of_plant
October 14, 2009
Ionia Sentinel Standard
County passes slashed, but balanced, budget
Seven departments have lost over $30,000 in county funding each. County Administrator Mark Howe said that Parks and Recreation, Community Development, MSU Extension, Animal Control and Shelter and the Prosecuting Attorney budgets were hit the hardest.“I've been here for 12 years - this is my 13th county budget - and it's probably the most difficult one because of the issues, the impact on lives and businesses,” Howe said. “I felt the board did a great job dealing with tough, tough decisions.” http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2009/10/14/news/02news.txt
October 13, 2009
State News
Officials plan to stimulate art, economy
Despite a crumbling national economy, a state budget crisis, rising employment rates and recession, East Lansing and Lansing officials said they have a plan for recovery. Officials from Lansing, East Lansing and MSU unveiled their hope Tuesday evening to create local jobs and revenue by converting Greater Lansing into a Midwest regional arts and culture epicenter. “The plan will emphasize arts and culture as a means to create jobs and attract tourists to the area. Associate professor in the Department of Sociology and MSU Extension Toby Ten Eyck has done research in various parts of Lansing to see how an active art culture can affect a community. http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/10/officials_plan_to_stimulate_art_economy
October 13, 2009
State News
Multiple deans to lead CLS program
Oversight of the Chicano/Latino Studies program is shifting after a recent administrative restructuring. College of Social Science Dean Marietta Baba said she no longer is the only person responsible for overseeing CLS and its director, Sheila Contreras. A closed-door meeting among MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and a group of CLS faculty, graduate and undergraduate students concerned about Contreras and Baba’s oversight of the program is scheduled Wednesday. Baba will be joined in the program’s new administration by deans of the Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Letters, Communication Arts and Sciences, Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and James Madison College. http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/10/multiple_deans_to_lead_cls_program
October 12, 2009
Michigan Farmer
Wright Named Chair of MSU's CARRS Department
David Wright has been named chairperson of the MSU Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. His three-year appointment became effective Aug. 15. Wright had been the acting CARRS chair since September 2007, when previous chair Scott Witter stepped down to become chair of the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction. Witter was the first chairperson for the CARRS Department. "David Wright has shown tremendous leadership as acting chair of CARRS for the past two years," says Jeffrey D. Armstrong, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "I look forward to continuing our work together as he and his faculty provide leadership to issues affecting the development and revitalization of sustainable communities." http://michiganfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=32236&c=9
October 12, 2009
The Morning Sun
Learning about life on the farm
Gerald and Carolyn Laurenz hosted the 22nd annual Farm Tour.
Approximately 800 fourth grade students from the Midland, Gratiot, and Saginaw County Area Schools came to the Laurenzes' farm to learn where their food comes from. The tour had sponsorship from the MSU Extension Office, the local Farm Bureau, and the local 4-H. The Breckenridge FFA Chapter volunteered to assist by guiding the different classes through the farm and to each station. Students learned all about different kinds of animals, crops, soils, popcorn, farm machines, farm games and about their water from the stations. http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/10/12/life/srv0000006606781.txt
October 12, 2009
Michigan Farmer
MSU and L&L Food Centers Reward Michigan Food Entrepreneurs
Local food will take center stage during the Making it in Michigan conference, presented by the Michigan State University Product Center on Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lansing Center. Two winning food entrepreneurs will earn more than bragging rights at this year's event. L&L Food Centers will award two Michigan food products coveted shelf space in their eight mid-Michigan grocery stores as part of the third annual MSU Product Center specialty food show. "L&L is a Lansing company," says Rick Zahm, L&L Food Centers general manager. "We've been here for 78 years and MSU has been here for more than 150, so we're excited to work together to help entrepreneurs and introduce new products to our customers." http://michiganfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=32243&c=9
October 12, 2009
Freep.com
MT. CLEMENS: River cruise set for Saturday
The MSU Extension is to host a fall cruise Saturday on the Clinton River to teach people about local water resources. The boat is to depart at 9:30 a.m. from the Clinton River Cruise Co. at 152 N. River Road, Mt. Clemens, and return at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $20, or $12 for ages 9 to 17. Children younger than 9 are prohibited. For information or to sign up, call 586-469-6430. http://www.freep.com/article/20091012/NEWS05/910120325/1322/Metro-Detroit-news--Student-is-suspect-in-UDM-theft
October 11, 2009
Web Newswire
New mobile lab allows MSU researchers to study air quality, health effects
AirCARE 2 was partly funded through the MSU strategic partnership grant, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. The new fine particle concentrator in the AirCARE 2 received some funds from the Electric Power Research Institute and the American Petroleum Institute. http://www.webnewswire.com/node/470844
October 10, 2009
Southwest Horse Trader
New Online Course Helps You Hit the Trail
New Online Course Helps You Hit the Trail Plus, sign up for a free webcast October 21!Regardless of their breed preference, riding style or location, equine enthusiasts can find happy trails with help from a new course by My Horse University and Source Interlink Media’s Equine Network. From selecting a trail horse to preserving the trail, “Trail Riding 101″ offers expert advice on every aspect of this international pastime. My Horse University http://www.myhorseuniversity.com/ is a national online horse management program for horse enthusiasts. It’s based at MSU, one of the top U.S. universities in equine science and management. Founded by the MSU Department of Animal Science, MSU Extension and MSU Global, this program offers equine education courses and resources that can be tailored to achieve horse management goals. http://www.swhorsetrader.com/blog/2009/10/new-online-course-helps-you-hit-the-trail/
October 10, 2009
Chicago Tribune
MSU pilot program trains veterans for farm jobs
A dozen jobless military veterans have gone through a four-week course that could move them into the farm labor force. They took part in a pilot program called Vets to Ag, run by Michigan and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The training took place at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Kalamazoo County's Ross Township, about 50 miles west-southwest of the Michigan State campus in East Lansing, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-farmingveterans,0,6177846.story
October 09, 2009
Mlive.com
State agriculture office in Saginaw closed due to budget cuts
The state Department of Agriculture has closed its regional office in Carrollton Township, citing budget cuts. A telephone recording says the office at 1585 Concentric closed permanently Oct. 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year. The agency announced the decision Wednesday. The Saginaw County office is among seven regional and one district agriculture offices closed to save about $600,000 a year, said Jennifer Holton, an agency spokeswoman. Closing the Saginaw office will trim about $81,000.Earlier this year, Michigan State University Extension moved its long-time Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center from a 118-acre farm on Swan Creek and Thomas roads to a 250-acre location in Blumfield and Denmark townships, which straddles Saginaw and Tuscola counties.
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2009/10/state_agriculture_office_in_sa.html
October 08, 2009
Detroit News
Mild weather cuts into Michigan pumpkin crop
Cool, wet weather rendered Michigan's pumpkin crop smaller this year, but there still will be plenty of grinning jack-o'-lanterns lighting up front porches this Halloween. The pumpkins -- if they had a chance to grow -- are smaller in size and yield than last year's crop, growers and agriculture experts say. Heavy rains at some farms trapped the seeds underground or flooded them out before they could germinate. Still, compared to the devastating rains that destroyed crops in New England, Michigan pumpkin farmers made out relatively well, said Ron Goldy, a Michigan State University Extension educator. Michigan growers who had a bumper crop will export many of their pumpkins to the East Coast, giving them a financial boost. But those whose patches were sparse will take a financial hit. http://www.detnews.com/article/20091008/BIZ/910080356/1001/biz
This week on ANR@MSU:
October 15, 2009
“Michigan State University Product Center Teams with L&L Food Centers to Reward Michigan Entrepreneurs” By: Natalie Scott
Local food will take center stage during the Making it in Michigan conference, presented by the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center on Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lansing Center. Two winning food entrepreneurs will earn more than bragging rights at this year’s event. L&L Food Centers will award two Michigan food products coveted shelf space in their eight mid-Michigan grocery stores as part of the third annual MSU Product Center specialty food show. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/michigan-state-university-product-center-teams-with-ll-food-centers-to-reward-michigan-entrepreneurs/
October 09, 2009
Demmer Center takes aim at novices as well as experienced shooters. By Francie_One
The Oct. 5 opening of the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the MSU campus has been much anticipated in local sports shooting circles since ground was broken July 18, 2008. Excitement was obvious at the open house for the new center on Oct. 2. That, I had anticipated – what’s not to love for archery and ballistic enthusiasts? The $3.5 million, 24,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest indoor shooting facilities in the Midwest, offering two indoor ranges and three outdoor archery ranges. The two indoor ranges accommodate small bore (.22 cal. rifle and pistol), air rifle and archery. The outdoor Becky and Bob Humphries Community Archery Park include beginner, field and competitive ranges. And, archery, .22 firearm and air rifle equipment rental is available. http://anrmsu.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/demmer-center-to-cater-to-shooting-sport-expert-and-novices-alike/
To see news releases sent out by ANR Communications, go to our website www.anrcom.msu.edu/ and click “news”.