News

Weathering the worst: Essential disaster prep for livestock and the farmers who protect them

Published on April 16, 2026
Simple, effective preparedness strategies that help farms stay resilient through storms, wildfires and rising waters.
Join MSU Extension and fellow hop growers for the MSU Hop Chat Series

Published on April 15, 2026
Join the hop community twice a month from May to August for in-season discussions of all things hop-related.
MSU Extension offering webinar on short-term rental policy options for local communities in May and October

Published on April 15, 2026
These webinars will help local governments consider the potential policy options available to them regarding short-term rentals (STRs).
New to raising chickens? Check out MSU Extension’s self-paced certification course for small scale chicken farmers

Published on April 13, 2026
The Small-Scale Poultry Farming Online Course teaches the basic considerations and how-tos of raising chickens on a small scale.
Tips for bringing baby chicks home

Published on April 13, 2026
Bringing home new chicks can be exciting — here are some tips to make sure your chicks get off to the best start!
Registration now open for the 2026 MSU Extension Agritourism Summit

Published on April 13, 2026
The 2026 Summit will bring farmers, business owners, community leaders and tourism professionals together to explore collaborative strategies that strengthen Michigan’s agritourism economy.
Growing the Local Food Movement: 2026 Northwest Food Hub Network Summit

Published on April 1, 2026
Michigan Food Hub Network Co-coordinators Jamie Rahrig and Lewis Hughes joined Jude Barry of CRFS at the Northwest Food Hub Network Summit to highlight findings of the 2025 National Food Hub Survey and engage with other food hub network leaders.
Cultivating Futures: The Impact of Connie Schwass

Published on March 31, 2026
After more than 35 years in education, Connie Schwass reflects on her time with IAT and West Shore, where she inspired students through curiosity, care, and hands-on learning—leaving behind a legacy rooted in impact and connection.
Local regulation of manufactured housing

Published on March 31, 2026
Learn more about how to balance local zoning authority and state preemption under Michigan’s Mobile Home Commission Act.
State preemption and local zoning authority in Michigan: The role of legislative intent

Published on March 31, 2026
Absent an overarching statute preempting certain activities from zoning regulations, Michigan courts follow a test to determine legislative intent. In short, if there is no sign of legislative intent, local zoning prevails.
Registration is open for beginning farmer field days

Published on March 24, 2026
A three-part beginning farmer field day series will provide new and beginning farmers with foundational knowledge in numerous topics, plus resources.
Land Division Act amendment allowing the creation of more parcels means all local governments should review development ordinances

Published on March 24, 2026
With the authority for local governments to allow and approve more divisions of land comes the responsibility to follow the master plan and make environmentally and financially sound infrastructure decisions.
MSU professor aims to improve seed sovereignty for Native communities

Published on March 24, 2026
PSM researcher Krista Isaacs receives Native American Agriculture Fund grant to develop seed-saving systems with Iowa State University professor Christina Gish Hill
Responding to hate

Published on March 23, 2026
The Southern Law Poverty Center and the Anti-Defamation League have resources to address and respond to hate, bigotry, racism and anti-Semitism.
MSU education, research helping grow mass timber building industry in Michigan and beyond

Published on March 17, 2026
MassTimber@MSU delivers education, research, outreach, communications and policy advocacy to advance sustainable mass timber construction.