October is Michigan Agritourism Month

October is Michigan Agritourism Month

by | Oct 7, 2025 | Agriculture

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For immediate release: Oct. 6, 2025

MDARD media contact: Lynsey Mukomel, 517-290-1734

October is Michigan Agritourism Month

Celebrate with a visit to a Michigan cider mill, pumpkin patch, corn maze and more

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed October as Michigan Agritourism Month – the perfect time for family-friendly fun at any of the hundreds of agritourism farms and orchards across Michigan. The month-long celebration recognizes the economic and social benefits of agritourism to our state’s farms and communities and provides an opportunity to celebrate Michigan’s thriving food and agriculture industry.

“Agritourism connects Michigan families to locally grown food and beverages while enabling farmers to diversify and build resiliency into their businesses,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring. “MDARD is proud to support Michigan agritourism operators that strengthen our food and agriculture industry, boost agricultural education and improve quality of life for Michiganders.”

Agritourism supports Michigan’s nearly $126 billion food and agriculture industry and $54.8 billion tourism industry. It offers farmers the opportunity to diversify their businesses, which can help them stay viable during adverse weather conditions and market fluctuations.

Michigan’s agritourism destinations include:

Many Michigan farms offer agritourism opportunities year-round, but Agritourism Month is celebrated in October at the peak of harvest and during a time when people traditionally visit farms, pumpkin patches and cider mills. Michigan Agritourism Month is a special time to acknowledge and experience the vast, integrated network of family farmers, processors, wholesalers and retailers who produce a safe and nutritious food supply, as well as provide fun and unique farm experiences.

Throughout the month of October, MDARD will feature examples of Michigan agritourism businesses on its social media channels. Follow along to experience Michigan agritourism at its best.

Visit www.MichiganFarmFun.com for a directory of Michigan agritourism businesses. The directory is searchable by business name, product, and region.  

View the Michigan Agritourism Month proclamation.
Firefighters working to contain wildfire near Houghton Lake

Firefighters working to contain wildfire near Houghton Lake

by | Oct 7, 2025 | Recreation

 
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DNR News
Oct. 6, 2025
Contact: Jeff Vasher, 989-745-2942

Firefighters working to contain wildfire near Houghton Lake; public urged to use caution amid extreme fire danger

Aerial view of 2025 Roscommon County fireWith fire danger extremely high across much of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula today, firefighters are working near Houghton Lake in Roscommon County to contain a wildfire burning since Sunday afternoon, Oct. 5, near the Roscommon State Forest Area.

The fire was reported early Sunday afternoon east of Old U.S. Highway 27, near the Clare–Roscommon county line. The cause remains under investigation.

The fire is estimated to be at approximately 85 acres in a marshy area of mixed pine and hardwood forest, where dry fuels and gusty winds have challenged firefighting efforts.

“Crews have been working through difficult terrain to contain the fire,” said Jeff Vasher, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lower Peninsula resource protection manager. “High winds have made suppression challenging, but firefighters are holding the lines and continuing to reinforce containment.”

Resources on scene include DNR firefighters, local fire departments, bulldozers, fire engines and drone aircraft support being used for aerial mapping and situational awareness. The DNR urges the public to avoid the area while crews continue suppression operations.

Across northern Michigan, fire danger remains high to very high, driven by warm temperatures, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation. Open burning is not advised, and residents are asked to use extreme caution with any outdoor heat or spark sources.

“We are currently experiencing severe drought conditions across the mid-to-lower peninsula,” added Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist. “While there is some chance of rain tonight and tomorrow, expected rainfall amounts will not be enough to ease the drought or reduce the overall fire danger.”

Burn permits were suspended Friday, Oct. 3, to help prevent additional wildfires under these increasingly dry conditions. The DNR strongly urges residents to refrain from any outdoor burning until conditions improve.

For updates, fire safety information, and prevention tips, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Aerial view: Photo of the smoke from the 2025 Roscommon County wildfire.
It’s Firewood Month: Do you know what’s in your wood?

It’s Firewood Month: Do you know what’s in your wood?

by | Oct 2, 2025 | Recreation

 
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News Release
Oct. 2, 2025
Contact: Susie Iott, 517-420-0473 or Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814

It’s Firewood Month: Do you know what’s in your wood?

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about firewood. If it’s split and dry, it’s good to go, right?

Well, maybe not. In recognition of Firewood Month, Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is taking a few minutes to unpack some firewood facts to help you make safe firewood choices to protect Michigan’s trees and forests.

Heating a home or enjoying a cozy evening by the fire is a great way to repurpose dead trees, but we often don’t think about what killed them.

Invasive insects like emerald ash borer or fungi like oak wilt can kill even healthy trees.

Other trees succumb to environmental conditions like drought, overcrowding or storm damage. Once a tree is weakened, it can become home to a host of insects and fungi that often remain in the wood even after it has been cut.

That means dead wood is often alive with harmful insects and diseases that can be transported to new locations on or in firewood.

What’s in my wood?

A crosscut of a tree trunk shows pale beetle larva on its back with coiled tentacles, dark eyes and dark mouth parts is nestled in a cavity.Wood borers

“Wood borer” is a general term for beetles that lay eggs on or in the bark of trees. When eggs hatch, these insects spend their larval stages tunneling into and feeding on wood, destroying tissues that move sap and water through the tree.

Many wood borers are native and seek out weakened trees. Others, such as invasive emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle (found in nearby states), infest healthy trees and cause their decline and death.

Wood borer eggs and larvae can remain in wood after trees die. Because they often are under bark or within the wood itself, they can go unnoticed until they emerge as adults. A Michigan study of 1,045 firewood pieces transported by the public indicated 23% contained live borers and an additional 41% showed evidence of previous borer infestation.
Hemlock woolly adelgid ovisacs on branch with magnified insetAdelgids

Adelgids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on coniferous plants like pines or firs using piercing/sucking mouthparts. Agencies and partners in Michigan’s Invasive Species Program are working hard to prevent the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid in west Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is managing balsam woolly adelgid in areas of Clare, Missaukee and Oceana counties.

Adelgids are hard to see with the naked eye and are usually detected by the small, white, cottony tufts they spin to protect their eggs. Over time, hemlock and balsam woolly adelgids can kill their host trees by depleting sap and preventing its circulation.

Fungal diseases

Whether native or invasive, many types of fungi can cause tree death. Fungal diseases move around via spores or other structures and are spread in a variety of ways. Both invasive oak wilt and Dutch elm disease fungal spores can be spread by beetles. When trees die of fungal disease, the fungus can remain alive even if the wood is cut. Moving infected wood can spread tree diseases to areas far beyond a beetle’s range.

A gray, putty-like spotted lanternfly egg mass (center) above a fuzzy, tan spongy moth egg mass on a tree trunk.Egg masses

For many Michiganders, spongy moths (formerly gypsy moths) and their munching caterpillars are all too familiar. While female moths can’t fly, they easily spread across the state by depositing egg masses on vehicles, outdoor equipment and firewood, which are then moved around by people.

With invasive spotted lanternfly now present in areas of southeast Michigan, the same scenario is likely to play out again unless we all take the time to look for and remove egg masses from belongings and adopt safe firewood practices.

Here’s the takeaway: Don’t take it away!

Wood that looks clean and healthy can harbor tiny insects, eggs or microscopic fungi spores that can start a new and deadly infestation. Always leave your backyard firewood at home, even if you think it looks fine.

How to keep the fire burning

You can still have a roaring campfire or a cozy night in front of the fireplace if you just know how to burn safely.

A shrink-wrapped bundle of firewood with a paper label beneath the plastic. The label bears the USDA shield indicated it is certified wood.

  • Aged or seasoned wood is not safe to move. Just because it is dry doesn’t mean it’s clean. A recent study showed insects continued to emerge from firewood even three years after it had been cut.
  • Buy firewood near where you will burn it – a good rule of thumb is only using wood that was cut within 50 miles of where you’ll have your fire.
  • Certified, heat-treated firewood is safe to move long distances. Look for a federal stamp or seal on the package, and keep the firewood in the original packaging if entering a campground that requires heat-treated wood.
  • If you buy firewood and don’t burn it all, don’t bring it home or to your next destination.
  • Tell your friends not to bring wood with them – everyone needs to know they should not move firewood.

We’ve got a lot to protect

More than half of our state is forested – with an estimated 14 billion trees! Trees are part of every landscape we enjoy, from fall forest colors to river corridors to shady sidewalks and parks. Making safe firewood choices helps to protect the diversity and health of Michigan’s forest resources.

Learn more about protecting trees from invasive species at DontMoveFirewood.org.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Department of Natural Resources; and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • ALB larva: An Asian longhorned beetle pupa burrowed deep into the heartwood of a host tree. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org.
  • Magnification: Tiny hemlock woolly adelgids form round, white ovisacs are found on the undersides of hemlock branches near the base of the needles. Photo courtesy of Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org.
  • Egg masses: A gray, putty-like spotted lanternfly egg mass (center) just above a tan, fuzzy spongy moth egg mass on a tree trunk. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org.
  • Certified firewood: A certification stamp and the name and address of the firewood supplier should be visible on any certified firewood label. Photo courtesy of USACE.
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DNR: October events and volunteering

DNR: October events and volunteering

by | Oct 2, 2025 | Recreation

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October events and volunteering

backpacker hiking through fall forest

Learn about one way to explore Michigan’s colorful fall forests – check out the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Beginners Backpacking Clinic in Cadillac Oct. 18.
Autumn is upon us, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has plenty of October opportunities for fall fun and helping take care of the outdoors! Here are highlights from our statewide DNR events calendar and Get Involved webpage, where you’ll find things to do and ways to help all month long.

Learn about backpacking, bowfishing, mushrooms and more

pile of morel mushrooms next to pan with melting butterThe DNR’s Outdoor Skills Academy and Becoming an Outdoors Woman programs offer opportunities to explore – and learn how to get started with – a variety of outdoor recreation activities. October classes include:

  • Outdoor Skills Academy Introduction to Bowfishing in Cadillac Saturday, Oct. 25. This one-day seminar will teach participants the fundamental skills needed to safely and ethically engage in the exhilarating and environmentally conscious sport of bowfishing.

For more information about other classes offering expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities, visit Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills for Outdoor Skills Academy and Michigan.gov/BOW for Becoming an Outdoors Woman.

Celebrate trains and Halloween, learn deer processing skills and more at the Outdoor Adventure Center

Bosco's Trainload of Fun Show graphicThe Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit has tons of fall fun queued up for October. Highlights include:

  • FestiFall, Saturday, Oct. 4. A day of Halloween and harvest programming, from drop-in crafts, activities and games to zombie archery.
  • Deer Processing Workshop, Saturday, Oct. 11. Learn the steps it takes to process a deer, including a cooking demonstration, where participants will enjoy venison backstraps and take-home recipes.
  • Train Expo: Detroit on Track, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18. Discover the rich history of railroads on the Detroit riverfront in this celebration of local railways. Explore a model train exhibit, activities and displays, enjoy a “train” ride on the front lawn (Saturday only) and experience Bosco’s Trainload of Fun Show, a ventriloquist show packed with locomotive music, magic tricks and tons of audience participation (Saturday only; registration required).

For a full calendar of events – including archery, yoga, birding, education programs for seniors and kids, and more – see the OAC activity schedule.

Explore archaeology, impact of urban renewal on neighborhoods at Michigan History Museum

child puts a clay pot puzzle togetherDelve into our state’s stories with these special programs at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing this month:

  • Michigan Archaeology Day, Saturday, Oct. 18. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an archaeologist? Here’s your chance to talk with archaeologists about investigations and artifacts that tell the story of 14,000 years of Michigan history! Plus, you can pick up a free archaeology poster and enjoy activities like making a clay pinch pot, watching a flintknapper make stone tools, throwing a spear using an atlatl, a scavenger hunt, showing an artifact to Archaeology Roadshow experts, a special presentation about the Edmund Fitzgerald and more.
  • The Impact of Urban Renewal, Thursday, Oct. 23. Twentieth century urban renewal practices had a profound impact on neighborhoods across Michigan. Two of them, Lansing’s Westside and Detroit’s Black Bottom, saw the destruction of homes, businesses and community institutions for the building of new highways. Learn the stories of those neighborhoods during “From Lansing to Black Bottom: The Impact of Urban Renewal,” a program including screenings of oral history interviews and a panel discussion with former residents from both neighborhoods.

Keep an eye on the Michigan History Center events calendar for upcoming opportunities to discover more Michigan stories.

Pitch in to restore natural areas at state parks

volunteer collects native wildflower seeds at Fort Custer Recreation AreaSeveral state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems or to collect native wildflower seeds for replanting. Workdays will take place at:

  • Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), Saturdays, Oct. 4, Oct. 11 and Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), Sunday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), Sunday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to noon.

Learn more about individual workdays and registration info on the DNR volunteer events calendar. Additional October workdays in southeast Michigan will be posted soon – please check back for details.

Help keep the trails you love ready to ride

ORV on trail through fall forestIf you’re an avid trail rider and looking to help maintain state-designated motorized trails, several off-road vehicle and snowmobile organizations across the state could use your help! Whether you have time to volunteer on a weekend or for a season, assistance is always appreciated.

Interested in finding an ORV or snowmobile group to support through volunteering? Contact Jessica Roehrs, who oversees the state motorized trails program for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at RoehrsJ1@Michigan.gov.

Give input on proposed plans for your state forests

Piled aspen logs are shown in a forest, waiting to be transported.Prescribed burns, timber harvests, tree planting and other activities are carefully planned to keep Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest thriving. Plans for these activities are currently being made for 2027, but public input is welcome now.

Find out what activities are planned and how to offer your feedback at Michigan.gov/ForestInput. You can submit online comments during designated 30-day periods or attend an open house or compartment review meeting, where plans are finalized. See all scheduled comment periods, open houses and compartment review meetings for the 2025 season.

Due to the effects of the March 2025 ice storm in the northeastern Lower Peninsula, the public review periods for the Atlanta, Gaylord, Grayling and Pigeon River Country forest management units have been postponed. The schedule will be updated when the comment periods and open houses are rescheduled.

THINGS TO DO

Now through mid-Ocober is the best time to see one of the state’s most majestic animals – the elk – in its natural habitat. Visit the DNR wildlife viewing page to learn more about this unique Michigan tradition and where to do it.

BUY & APPLY

Make reservations now to experience Silver Lake State Park – one of Michigan’s most unique state parks – on horseback. You can ride the Lake Michigan shore during the park’s shoreline horseback riding season Nov. 1-30.

GET INVOLVED

Help fight hunger and ensure Michiganders have access to a nutritious protein source – donate a deer or money to Hunters Feeding Michigan. Donations help get protein-rich venison to food banks around the state.
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What 2024 polling said about removing sales tax from fuel

What 2024 polling said about removing sales tax from fuel

by | Oct 2, 2025 | Transportation

 
MDOT header (SOM branding)Talking Michigan Transportation (TMT) banner with the Mackinac Bridge.

Reprise: What 2024 polling said about removing sales tax from fuel

As lawmakers complete a Fiscal Year 2026 budget agreement, one component involves removing the sales tax on fuel and adding a commensurate amount to the fuel tax and putting it toward transportation.

This week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast revisits a 2024 conversation with a veteran Michigan pollster about his survey then showing an overwhelming number of voters want the taxes they pay at the pump to fix roads and bridges.

Blue gas pump icon.

Michigan is among states with a sales tax on motor fuels. That tax, 6 percent, does not go to roads and bridges. By law, the proceeds support the school aid fund, revenue sharing for local municipalities and a minor portion helps fund local transit services.

Bernie Porn, president of the polling firm EPIC-MRA, explained that all survey respondents were asked, “Do you think that all of the taxes that you pay at the gas pump should or should not go toward funding improvements to Michigan’s roads and bridges?”

Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205.

Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.