News

Campbell’s Market Basket grabs East Lansing’s attention

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Ken Campbell has lived in East Lansing his entire life. A graduate of East Lansing High School and Michigan State University, Campbell used his connections with local farmers to open up Campbell’s Market Basket, East Lansing’s only locally owned and sourced market.

Agriculture
Feral swine carry off a fawn in this undated photo from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

Feral swine decreasing but still pose threat

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The number of feral swine in the state is declining, but there’s still concern about their transmitting diseases to domestic pigs — threatening a $500-million-a-year industry — and to people, as well as damage to vegetation. Allegan, Cass, Branch, St. Joseph and Ottawa counties are the top producers. We talk to the Michigan Pork Producers Association and MUCC. By Katrianna Ray.

Agriculture

Giving Tree Farm provides opportunity through its produce

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Following the example set by the Shel Siverstein story “The Giving Tree,” the Giving Tree Farm gives to as many people as its can. The organic farm, which grows produce on seven acres and in eight hoop houses, is among local vendors that sells produce at Allen Farmers Market located in Lansing’s eastside neighborhood.

Agriculture

Watch Focal Point: Trump/Pence campaign comes to Michigan, MSU’s Impact Radio turns 30, Men’s Hockey highlights and more

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On this edition of Focal Point News, we give updates on the Impeachment hearings and we show how a man is bringing the Christmas spirit to Mason, Michigan. East Lansing has “Green Friday” deals and MSU’s College of Engineering present their work at Design Day

In Sports, Draymond Green retires his jersey and we highlight MSU Men’s Hockey vs. OSU. 

In Entertainment, the hit musical Aladdin comes to the Wharton Center. These stories and more on Focal Point.

Agriculture

A farm for the holidays

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For Dr. Mel Koelling, his 180 acre tree farm in Mason is his life. After 37 years at Michigan State, he retired and now works his farm full-time. At the beginning of the season, Koelling had over 90,000 trees on his property. Now, it’s his season to sell. “We expect to sell 3,000 more trees,” he said.

Agriculture

Michigan farmers struggle to stay afloat

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Michigan’s farm economy and exports are suffering due to a perfect storm of adverse factors, including bad weather and trade conflicts with China, Mexico and Canada. Dairy and soybean farmers are especially hard hit. We talk to Farm Bureau experts and a Sanilac County farmer. For news, business and agriculture sections. By Katrianna Ray.

Agriculture

Stress can plant suicide thoughts in isolated farmers

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For Michigan farmers, this year’s unusually wet weather is yet another stress on an already stressful occupation. It is taking a toll on their mental health, farmers and health experts say. And climate scientists say to expect extreme weather to worsen and further disrupt agriculture as the planet’s average temperature warms from greenhouse gas emissions. Tiling and irrigating may help them prepare their fields. Bracing for the mental stress is another task entirely. We talk to farmers in Ravenna and Monroe, MSU Extension and the National Weather Service. By Cassidy Hough.