• 

  Donald J. Ricks

  Professor Emeritus and Extension Marketing Specialist
  ricks@msu.edu
  

• 

  Michigan grape scouting report – May 14, 2025

  Published on May 14, 2025
  Check out the latest Michigan grape scouting report for timely updates on weather, vine growth, disease management and pest activity. Stay informed and make proactive decisions to support vineyard health and productivity.

• Are smallholder farmers willing to pay for different types of crop insurance? An application of labelled choice experiments to Chinese corn growers

  Published on November 20, 2019
  Wang, H.H., Liu, L., Ortega, D.L. et al. "Are smallholder farmers willing to pay for different types of crop insurance? An application of labelled choice experiments to Chinese corn growers." Geneva Pap Risk Insur Issues Pract 45, 86–110 (2020).

• 

  The downside to spanking (there is no upside)

  Published on February 16, 2018
  Find out why spanking doesn’t work and learn what does.

• 

  Southwest Michigan vegetable update – Aug. 7, 2019

  Published on August 7, 2019
  Now is not the time to relax your disease and insect control.

• 

  Emily Dolson

  Published on September 19, 2018
  Emily Dolson completed the Graduate Certificate while completing a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior

• March means maple syrup!

  Published on March 22, 2016
  Maple syrup season is upon us. Find out more about this tasty topic and ways to engage youth in the process from tapping to eating.

• 

  Southwest Michigan vegetable update – July 15, 2020

  Published on July 15, 2020
  This has been a fairly quiet week for diseases and insects.

• Grassroots movement unites tribal nations: Part 1

  Published on June 10, 2013
  Working to increase the voice of indigenous people.

• 

  LeBlanc ('13) graduates from MSU with international experience

  Published on August 16, 2013
  Recent MSU graduate Michelle LeBlanc has built a resume that earned her the 2013 Outstanding Bachelor's Student Award from the American Planning Association (APA).

• National Invasive Species Awareness Week series highlights threats Michigan faces

  Published on February 26, 2017
  Damage caused by invasive plants alone costs the U.S. estimated at $34.7 billion a year.

• 

  Harvesting Essential Flavors: Onions Growing in Michigan

  Published on October 2, 2018
  Onions are an important ingredient in much of the food we eat – learn about how we grow onions in Michigan.

• 

  Reardon and Liverpool-Tasie presented on rapid rise of agrifood processing in Africa at FARA Africa Agribusiness Science Week

  Published on June 13, 2023
  Michigan State University University Distinguished Professor, Tom Reardon, and Michigan State University Foundation Professor Saweda Liverpool-Tasie spoke at the Africa Agribusiness Science Week in Durban, South Africa.

• Native plants: Learn more about the benefits of these plants

  Published on November 21, 2012
  Michigan native plants are both beautiful and beneficial in yards and gardens.

• From Muscat to Moscato: How will America’s hottest wine trend impact Michigan?

  Published on February 13, 2012
  Moscato is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S. market. Michigan’s commercial wine industry stands to benefit from this trend and Michigan State University’s experimental plantings of Muscat varieties.

• Building strong connections between tribal nations and county government: Part 1 - Sovereignty

  Published on December 24, 2014
  County commissioners from 18 northern Michigan counties learn about Michigan tribal sovereignty, history and cooperative efforts with counties.

• 

  Eastern filbert blight on Turkish filbert

  Published on August 15, 2011
  Keep an eye on Turkish filbert trees for eastern filbert blight, a potentially deadly disease.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – September 2, 2014

  Published on September 2, 2014
  Apple harvest has begun and quality is looking good. Codling moth and apple maggot catches are up in some areas. Grapes are ripening and some grapes have moderate to high disease pressure.

• Does a dormant lawn need to be treated for grubs?

  Published on July 12, 2012
  Home lawns are the most susceptible to grub damage under dry conditions. If you have seen turf damage caused by grubs in the last two years, plan on applying an insecticide for grubs before August 1.

• Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference focuses on ppreparing producers for dairying in the future

  Published on December 17, 2015
  14th annnual conference will be held Feb. 4-6 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.