The Latest
Guest Opinion: REAP is worthwhile for farmers
by Val Ankeny, senior policy associateCenter for Rural Affairs Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. In March of this year, USDA announced that REAP applications will be paused until new […]
Cass County Planning Commission seeking input for Master Plan
CASS COUNTY, Mich. — The Cass County Planning Commission is seeking the public’s help as they develop a new master plan to guide the future of Cass County. Upon completion, the Cass County Master Plan will define a unified vision for Cass County’s growth and development into the next decade. Last updated in 2014, the […]
The True Book of Mostly Unrelated Stories
Sundays in the Summertimeby John Mooy It was like clockwork on Sunday mornings. Harley Moorlag would drive his wife Evilo into town, drop her off at church and then drive to our house where my dad was sitting on the front porch waiting for him. Evilo went to church and Harley didn’t. Two more decent […]
Bit & Pieces: Buffalo Bill Cody
William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody , 1846 – 1917, American soldier, bison hunter, and showman by Paula Johnson Most people of fame never knew how famous they were to become. In the TV show about Bat Masterson, the introduction to the show says that he became “a legend in his own time.” Another person of […]
EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What are some innovative ways companies are accessing renewable energy nowadays? — Peter V., Milwaukee, WI With energy production accounting for upwards of 75 percent of global greenhouse emissions and more and more companies looking to reduce their carbon footprints, it makes sense that a whole […]
Farm and Food File
by Alan Guebertfarmandfoodfile.com The Fourth of July that saved the nation As an end-of-the-road farm boy growing up deep in southern Illinois, the Fourth of July was more of a shadetree holiday from the alfalfa field than a noisy celebration of national independence. Besides, we were more partial to a local hero, Abraham Lincoln, than […]
Jim Hightower: America’s #1 Populist
by Jim Hightowerjimhightower.com Why Louisiana’s Kids Won’t Listen to Their Pious Governor For us Texans, there’s nothing new about Bible-thumping politicians bedevilling us with the foolishness of their dogmatic Christian piety. A century ago, for example, a proposal was made to offer bilingual education to Spanish-speaking school kids. But it was quashed by the governor, […]
June 2024 Hogs and Pigs
Michigan’s total hog and pig inventory on June 1 was estimated at 1.20 million head, down 40,000 head from a year ago, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Regional Director, USDA NASS, Great Lakes Region. Breeding hog inventory, at 115,000 head, was unchanged from last June. Market hog inventory, at 1.09 million head, was down 4 percent from last year. The average pigs saved per litter for the March to May quarter […]
Michigan Acreage Summary
Michigan farmers planted fewer corn acres and more soybean acres in 2024 than they did in 2023, according to Marlo D. Johnson,Director, USDA NASS, Great Lakes Regional Office. Cold and unusually wet spring weather hindered fieldwork and planting in Michigan. Warm, drier conditions returned around mid-May, accelerating progress. By June 2, both corn planting and emergencewere ahead of the 5-year averages. Michigan corn growers planted 2.15 million acres, down 250,000 from last year. Harvested acresof corn for grain were set at 1.81 […]
USDA to gather farm conservation data to learn trends and improve programs and services
East Lansing, MI – June 27, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service(NASS), in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is reaching out to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to gather in-depth information about the conservation practices they use. Nearly 12,000 operators nationwide will receive the 2024 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey. Data obtained will support the third set of national and regional cropland assessments delivered by USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), a multi-agency effort led by NRCS to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation’s working […]
We Can Trust the Bible
by Harry Sponseller The Bible is the most precious book. In fact, millions have given their lives before they would give up the Bible. What makes it so valuable is its purpose to reveal the love of God and His earnest desire to save a lost and dying world. Listen to what […]
