MSU Entomology alumni discuss climate impacts on cherries and hops with ABC’s Good Morning America

In early August, ABC's Good Morning America chief meteorologist, Ginger Zee, visited the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center to film "Food Forecast: Cherries and beer hops are growing like crazy in Michigan."

Nikki Rothwell talks to ABC chief meteorologist Ginger Zee about Michigan’s cherry production.

In early August, ABC’s Good Morning America chief meteorologist, Ginger Zee, visited the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center to film “Food Forecast: Cherries and beer hops are growing like crazy in Michigan.” Food Forecast is a unique, six-part online series launched in late July 2016 covering how climate influences food industries across the United States. In particular, the show investigates the weather-related vulnerabilities and how industries overcome these hurdles.

A Michigan native from Rockford, Zee wanted to showcase Michigan agriculture in this new series. Food Forecast contacted Michigan State University climatologist Jeff Andresen with their interest, and Andresen steered Zee to two MSU Department of Entomology alumni for help explaining the impact of cherries and hops within Michigan agriculture. As coordinator of the research center, Nikki Rothwell was interviewed about the cherry and hop industries and Jim Nugent shared his experiences as a cherry farmer.

Emily Pochubay, also a MSU Department of Entomology alumni, explains more about the Food Forecast episode and northwest Michigan’s cherry and hop production in her MSU Extension article: ABC’s Good Morning America features Michigan cherry and hop production.

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