MDARD Awards Nearly $55,000 in Grants for Horticulture Research in Michigan

Funding invests in projects to support sustainable agriculture practices, support the growth of the state’s horticulture industry

LANSING – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD) announced the three recipients of the 2024 Horticulture Fund Grant designed to support Michigan’s approximately $1.4 billion nursery and ornamental horticulture industry.

“These grants are another way MDARD is making investments in supporting sustainable agriculture, healthier communities, and cultivating resilience to our changing world,” said MDARD Director Dr. Tim Boring. “Research is a fundamental part to ensuring the long-term success of Michigan’s nursey and ornamental horticulture industry.”

The department received seven proposals. Of those, MDARD awarded the three following projects, totaling a $54,953 investment:

• Rodney Fernandez, Professor, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University
  • Ensuring water security through the reduction of nitrogen and pesticides in agricultural wastewater.
• Debalina Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University
  • Comparing the effects of organic versus synthetic herbicides for liverwort control and the effect on nursery production.
• Younsuk Dong, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University
  • Improving irrigation management in Christmas tree production through loT-based sensor monitoring technology and irrigation scheduling.

Selected grant projects must fall under one of three categories:

• Applied Research: Crop management systems that enhance industry profitability while being environmentally and socially responsible and provide long-term benefits to Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticulture industry.
• Basic Research: Research generating knowledge that can be used to address contemporary problems and/or enable the future development and implementation of improved techniques or processes.
• Outreach/Training/Demonstration: Activities focused on assisting Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticultural industries.

The proposals were evaluated by the Horticulture Fund Advisory Committee through a competitive process.

For additional information about MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest.

MDARD offers guidance on creating tick-safe zones around the home

LANSING. – As warmer weather approaches, so does the increased risk of tick encounters, posing potential health threats to people and pets enjoying outdoor activities. That’s why the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) offers advice on how to create tick-safe zones around your home.

There are over 20 known tick species in Michigan. Most often, they survive by feeding on wildlife. Several species of ticks are known to bite people and pets; and the insects may harbor dangerous bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Not all ticks carry diseases, but tick-related diseases (including Lyme disease) do occur in Michigan and can be serious or fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated.

“Using insect repellents while outdoors and checking for ticks after being outdoors are common ways to prevent tick bites on people and pets, but other strategies can help reduce ticks around your homes without using pesticides,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Integrated pest management, commonly referred to as IPM, uses multiple, systematic methods to minimize the impact of pests on people and property, while safeguarding the environment.”

Here are some simple IPM techniques to help reduce tick populations around your home:

• Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
• Place a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns, wooded areas, patios, and play equipment. This will restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
• Maintain short grass in lawns and keep leaves raked.
• Stack wood neatly in a dry area to discourage rodents that ticks feed on.
• Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees. If possible, place these items in a sunny location.

If you do choose to use pesticides, follow these safety tips:

• Always follow label directions and wear the personal protective equipment specified on the label.
• Store pesticides in their original containers with proper labels.
• Keep pesticides locked up and out of the reach of children and pets.
• Use the amount specified on the label. Using additional product will not be more effective and may harm you, your pets, and/or the environment.
• Wash clothes that have been in contact with pesticides separately.
• Wash hands with soap and water after using a pesticide, including insect repellents.
• Use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to find a repellent product that is right for you.

If you are interested in hiring a pesticide applicator to manage pests for you, choose a firm licensed by MDARD. Licensed firms meet the necessary education and experience requirements and employ pesticide applicators who have passed MDARD’s proficiency examinations. Their training and experience will help prevent accidental pesticide misuse that could harm people, pets, livestock, and the environment.

For additional information about ticks, including how to identify and remove a tick, visit the MDHHS website. Learn more about pesticide safety at Michigan.gov/MDARD.

MDARD’s Qualified Forest Program Helps Michiganders Save on Property Taxes & Protects Michigan’s Private Forests

Applications for the 2025 tax year are due by September 3, 2024

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Qualified Forest Program (QFP) announced today that applications to receive the tax exemption for the 2025 tax year are due by Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

MDARD’s Qualified Forest Program is designed to encourage Michigan’s landowners to actively manage their privately-owned forests for commercial harvest, wildlife habitat enhancement, and improvement of other forest resources. The program provides two potential tax benefits for enrolled landowners in exchange for sustainably managing their forests.

“Here in Michigan, we’re focused on protecting our natural resources for future generations. Michigan’s private forestlands are a critical part of those resources, which is why MDARD has the Qualified Forest Program, which encourages sustainable practices with landowners in Michigan,” said Director Tim Boring. “This program provides two possible tax benefits for landowners in exchange for implementing sustainable practices. Protecting our resources is good for businesses, and in Michigan, combating climate change is how we build a strong future for all.”

“Michigan’s Qualified Forest Program ensures the viability of Michigan’s forest products industry and its good paying jobs now and into the future while also protecting drinking water, wildfire and sequestering carbon. It is a good deal for landowners and for Michigan,” said Senator Shink (D-Northfield Twp).  

The two possible benefits which helps save landowners on property taxes are:

• School Tax Affidavit – Authorizes an exemption from the local school operation millage up to 18 mills of school operating taxes a year. The exemption only applies to land value.
• Taxable Value Affidavit – Keeps the previous owner’s property taxable value from uncapping on enrolled land after a transfer of ownership.

Requirements to enroll in QFP include parcels of land that are 20 acres or larger, a forest management plan written by a qualified forester, and enrolled landowners must pay an annual fee; public access is not required.  Buildings and structures are allowed but are not eligible for tax exemption.

For parcels of land being enrolled that are less than 40 acres, no less than 80 percent must be stocked with productive forest. For parcels 40 acres or more, at least 50 percent must be stocked with productive forest. A productive forest is a forest capable of producing forest products at a rate of 20 cubic feet per acre per year.

To apply, landowners are required to submit a QFP Application Form, a QFP Stand Summary and Harvest Schedule, a copy of the most recent deed and/or land contract, a copy of the tax bill(s), a $50 application fee, and a forest management plan.

For more information and to get started with the Qualified Forest Program, visit our website or reach out to your local conservation district to connect with a qualified forester.

Michigan Tree Fruit Growers Approve Continuation Referendum

LANSING – Michigan’s apple, cherry, peach, and plum producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Tree Fruit Research and Development Program.

Established in April 2014, Michigan Tree Fruit Research and Development Program was developed to improve the economic position and competitiveness of the Michigan tree fruit industry by supporting the fruit research stations, research and extension programs. The goal for this program is to keep Michigan’s tree fruit industry on the cutting edge of new technology as well as implementation of new research that keep Michigan’s farmers economically viable in the world market into the future.

The program is a public body independent of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is comprised of nine tree fruit producers appointed by the Governor. MDARD Director Tim Boring and a person appointed by the Michigan State University Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are non-voting ex-officio members.

The program will continue for an additional five years, beginning April 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2029. Michigan tree fruit may be assessed at a maximum rate of $2.50 per ton for cherries sold; 4 cents per CWT. for apples sold: $2.00 per ton for peaches sold; and $4.50 per ton for plums sold.

A total of 152 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. 96 producers voted yes (63 percent) representing 294,814,092 pounds of apples, cherries, peaches, and plums (55 percent); and 56 producers voted no (37 percent) representing 239,799,386 pounds of apples, cherries, peaches, and plums (45 percent).

For renewal of the program and its activities, more than 50 percent of the voting producers, representing more than 50 percent of the production of those voting, must have approved it.

MDARD Encourages Owners to Help Keep Pets Safe this Spring Holiday Season

Following a few easy tips can help ensure you have a healthy, happy celebration with your pets

LANSING, MI—As Michiganders prepare to celebrate this spring holiday season, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some of the best ways to keep their pets healthy and safe.

“Spring holiday celebrations are filled with food, family, and loved ones—including our pets. It is important to consider their needs as we plan our festivities,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “From keeping them away from eating chocolate and candy to ensuring they have a quiet space to destress, there are many actions we can take to make sure they have a safe holiday.”

Keep pets safe this spring holiday season by following these six easy tips:

• Happy Tummies: Avoid feeding pets people foods.

Unfortunately, pets cannot enjoy all of the same foods and treats we do. Foods not specifically formulated for pets should be avoided as they could cause pancreatitis—even when consumed in small amounts. Also, be sure to keep candy and other sweets containing chocolate, raisins, and/or xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in many candies and gum) away from pets as these ingredients can be hazardous.

• Avoid Temptations: Keep Easter grass and other holiday decorations out of reach.

Brightly colored plastic Easter grass or other basket fillers may make for a beautiful presentation, but it can also catch the eye of our pets. If consumed, the filler could cause intestinal blockages or other injuries. Be sure to remove filler from baskets completely or at least keep the baskets out of a pet’s reach, along with candles, lights, plastic eggs/toys, and some festive flowers/plants—especially Easter lilies as these are highly toxic to cats.

• Go Natural: Save the dye for eggs—not pets.

As a reminder, in Michigan, it is illegal to sell baby chicks, rabbits, ducklings, or other fowl or game that have been dyed or artificially colored (Public Act 163 of 1945). Violating this law is a misdemeanor, so keep animals their natural color.

• Search No More: Make sure pets have proper identification.

With all the holiday activity, pets can easily sneak out and get lost. Make sure pets have identification tags and microchips updated with your current contact information to ensure they can be returned home.

• Destress and Decompress: Have a quiet space for your pets.

Any holiday celebration can be loud and overly stimulating for pets. So, it is important to have a quiet space set aside for them to go if they are getting too stressed. Also, have the room stocked with their food, water, litter pan, etc. in case they want to maintain their distance for an extended period of time.

• More Than Novelties: Bunnies and chicks are fur-ever pets.

While it may be tempting to surprise someone with a real bunny, chick, or duckling this holiday, it is important to remember these animals are long-term pets, often requiring specialized care and feed. Many people feel unprepared to properly care for one of these animals and hand them over to local animal control or an animal shelter. Opt for gifting someone a stuffed or chocolate animal instead.

These tips can help you and your pets have an egg-cellent and safe holiday. If there are ever any concerns about your pets’ health now or beyond the spring holiday season, please talk to your veterinarian.

VIDEO RELEASE: MDARD Celebrates March is Reading Month & Michigan Agriculture with Lansing School District

MDARD March is Reading Month (youtube.com)
The following video is available for all news outlets to utilize.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Chief of Staff Kathy Angerer and employees celebrated March is Reading and Michigan Food and Agriculture Month by partnering with the Lansing School District and reading to several different classrooms.

Employees read “Seed to Plant” by Gail Gibbons, “The Beeman” by Laurie Krebs and Valeria Cis, and “Too Many Carrots” by Katy Hudson to students at Gardner International School. MDARD employee Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski read and signed those books to a class of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

“This month, we have so much to celebrate in Michigan! Throughout March, we’ve been celebrating how strong and vibrant our food and agriculture industry is here in Michigan, along with it being reading month,” said Chief of Staff Kathy Angerer. “Today, several staff members from MDARD teamed up with the Lansing School District to bring together food and agriculture with reading. Agriculture’s future is in the hands of the next generation. Now is the time to showcase the opportunities working in food and agriculture, which can open many new and exciting job opportunities.”

Governor Whitmer has declared March as Reading Month in Michigan. The governor is urging all Michiganders to find time to read and recommit themselves to encouraging children and young adults to read diverse literary works early and often so they can see themselves and others in what they read.

Expanding literacy support and investing in education is a top priority for Governor Whitmer. Last month, the governor proposed her sixth budget making record investments in education.

The governor also proposed a bold investment in lifelong literacy, so Michiganders of all ages can get the support they need to succeed in their next grade or job. Since taking office, she has worked across the aisle to triple the number of literacy coaches and boost support for students in every community without raising taxes by a dime.

Earlier this month, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March as Michigan Food and Agriculture Month, to honor and celebrate Michigan’s farmers, the diversity of products grown and processed in our state, and the partnerships that keep our food and agriculture industry thriving.