Farm & Forest Education Day April 5

Allissa Conley and human Tanner Fowler are two of the presenters at the Farmer Education Day. (photos courtesy of Newaygo Conservation District)

A day for education and resources will be offered for farmers, growers and producers on Friday, April 5 from 8:30-2pm. The free event will be held at the Stone Lodge behind Trillium Springs, 4465 W 48th St, Fremont, 49412. The Newaygo Conservation District and the Newaygo Farm Bureau will host the event, which includes lunch and an optional tour of Kropscott Farm Environmental Center. The program qualifies as MAEAP Phase 1 educational session.

A wide variety of presenters and topics will be included. Conservation District programs and updates will be provided by Tanner Fowler (MAEAP Technician), Allissa Conley (Produce Safety Technician) and Kelly Bishop (District Conservationist). 

Rod Denning, District Forester, will discuss the various Forestry Programs available. He will also provide updates on the health of our local forests, which are undergoing stress due to a variety of invasive infestations. 

Grazing Management will be presented by Kable Thurlow, a Beef and Grazing Educator at MSU, and “Making the Most of Your Manure” will be handled by Tess Van Gorder, a Farm Bureau Conservation & Regulatory Specialist.

The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) will introduce themselves to the local Farmer, Grower & Producer community and provide updates on their activities of interest.  NCEC members will discuss the initiation of a “Farm to Stable” Network, whose mission is to engage small scale farmers & growers in a community led collaboration to identify and meet their needs toward sustainable practices.
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Registration by April 1st is requested to help plan for lunch, but walk-ins are also welcomed. To register contact Jennifer Marfio: [email protected], 231-796-1119, or scan the QR Code.

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