Do you include regenerative ag practices in your farming? Or are you interested in trying to modify some of your farm management to include regenerative ag practices?

If so, you now have the opportunity to work with an Extension educator, Monica Jean, on her doctoral research project, “Ensuring the success of Michigan farms in the face of climate change.”

Submit your information to be included in this study.

Questions? Contact Rob Sirrine at Michigan State University Extension at 231-256-9888 or [email protected].

Spotted lanternfly confirmed in Wayne County

After spotted lanternfly was detected in Monroe and Oakland counties earlier this year, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development conducted an extensive survey across 20 Michigan counties, finding increased populations in those counties and a new detection in Wayne County.

Originally native to eastern Asia, spotted lanternfly was first detected in the U.S. in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania and has since spread to 17 states in the East and Midwest.

Spotted lanternfly prefers to feed on the invasive tree-of-heaven, but it also feeds on a wide range of plants — including grapevines and trees such as black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac and red maple.

When feeding, spotted lanternfly produces a sticky liquid, honeydew, that can collect on the ground or surrounding vegetation. This results in the growth of sooty mold, which can discolor and kill plants.

If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult, take one or more photos; make note of the date, time and location of the sighting; and report it online to Eyes in the Field. Photos are necessary to verify a report and to aid in identification.

For additional information on identifying or reporting spotted lanternfly, visit michigan.gov/spottedlanternfly. You can also learn more at USDA’s spotted lanternfly website.

New Hop Growers of Michigan website

As part of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, Hop Growers of Michigan commissioned the building of a new website, which will aid brewers in Michigan and beyond in finding Michigan hops for their beer.

Grower-members are eligible to host a page on the site and are encouraged to submit page content using this membership questionnaire. For questions about the new site, email Dianna Stampfler at [email protected].