Agriculture

Some want Michigan to regulate septic tanks to protect water quality 

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SEPTIC: Environmental groups are again pushing the Legislature to adopt a statewide sanitary code that would include mandatory inspections of septic systems. Leaking systems can contaminate groundwater, lakes and rivers, causing health problems and deterring water-related recreation. Sponsors include lawmakers from East Grand Rapids, Troy, Detroit, Holt, Walker, St. Joseph and Livonia. We talk to the Michigan Environmental Council, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and a Montmorency County homeowner with a septic tank. By Elijah Taub. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, MONTMORENCY, ALPENA, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, CHEBOYGAN, DETROIT, GREENVILLE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, FOWLERVILLE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture

Feds warn Michigan to improve speed, accuracy of food assistance program

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SNAP DELAYS: USDA has criticized Michigan for delays and errors in handling applications for SNAP food benefits for low-income residents. One result is increased demand on already-stressed food banks. Whitmer and the governors of neighboring Ohio and Indiana have received warning letters from Washington. We talk to the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the National Center for Budget and Policy. By Alex Walters. FOR DETROIT, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, HILLSDALE, COLDWATER, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, MONROE, BLISSFIELD, ADRIAN, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Lake trout and whitefish leather dyed with natural indigo.

Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish

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USING FISH: Fish-leather purses and wallets may make their way into Great Lakes fashion with an initiative to use 100% of commercially caught fish by 2025. One of the latest projects is to fully use the region’s whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. Mackinaw City might be one research site. Companies in L’Anse, Detroit, Manistee and Munising participate. It also involves the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. We learn more from the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers. By Shealyn Paulis. FOR MONROE, ALPENA, ALCONA, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN, SAULT STE. MARIE, BAY MILLS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, LUDINGTON, OCEANA COUNTY, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, PLANET DETROIT, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Howell pepper grower Ryan Karcher grows Friar’s Fury chilis in pots in his backyard.

Pepper wars: Howell grower disputes Pepper X’s record for world’s hottest pepper

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PEPPER WARS: Guinness World Records recently announced that the world’s new hottest pepper is a veggie known as Pepper X, grown in South Carolina. But a veteran pepper grower from Howell questions Pepper X’s reported heat measurement. and says he’s developed a pepper that’s tastier and more representative of the pepper community. By Daniel Schoenherr. FOR FOWLERVILLE, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Health officials recommend owners check with a veterinarian if their dogs show symptoms of the “mystery” respiratory illness.

Caution urged for holiday travel with dogs due to virus

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DOGS: Officials and veterinarians are worried about a “mystery” respiratory illness confirmed in more than a dozen states, including neighboring Indiana. They urge extra caution in the runup to heavy holiday travel. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the American Veterinary Medical Association offer advice. By Kelsey Lester. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Farm Bureau district director Jeff Sandborn grows 1,800 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in Ionia County

High fertilizer costs hit Michigan farmers

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FARM COSTS: Farmers have been hit by sharply higher fertilizer prices since the Covid-19 pandemic, with corn growers hit especially hard. A Farm Bureau economist and a farmer who represents Farm Bureau members in Barry, Kent, Ottawa and Allegan counties explain. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR HOLLAND, WKTV, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, CORP! AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture

Thumb counties hit by high colorectal cancer rates

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CANCER: Residents of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties in the Thumb have a disproportionately high rate of colorectal cancer, including a higher death rate, a new study finds. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, age and an “unhealthy food environment.” Elsewhere, the lowest rate was in Houghton County, followed by Emmet, Mason, Ottawa and Ontonagon counties, Wexford and Mecosta counties were among those with the lowest rates. The highest rate was in Montmorency County, followed by Clare, Gratiot, Oscoda and Osceola counties. Gogebic, Alger and Baraga counties were among those with the highest rates. Study done by MSU faculty and a Grand Rapids physician. By Eric Freedman. FOR CLARE, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, WKTV, MONTMORENCY, MARQUETTE, CADILLAC, BIG RAPIDS, IRON MOUNTAIN, BAY MILLS AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Intense rains from climate change are leading to more flooded farm fields.

Changes in rain patterns create water challenges for farmers

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CLIMATE & FARMERS: Climate change means Michigan farmers not only face more intense rain at times but also drier conditions in the summer. That creates challenges in water management and irrigation practices. We talk to an Ithaca farmer dealing with the challenges,and a Michigan Farm Bureau expert. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! PLANET DETROIT, MIDLAND, LANSING AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Wild turkeys sitting in a Michigan field.

Local farms compete with imported turkeys during Thanksgiving

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TURKEY: In the run-up to Thanksgiving, a growing number of consumers are turning to locally raised turkeys. Meanwhile, Michigan’s flock of wild turkeys is prospering, but few of them grace Thanksgiving tables. We hear from a Gaylord turkey farmer, a Traverse City meat market and a DNR wild turkey expert. By Kelsey Lester. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.