Agriculture

There is a growing local food network in Washtenaw County. As high prices increase food insecurity, more homegrown food can help. Further, local farmers are creating better connections with the general public, and that is helping to combat the climate crisis by helping reduce transportation-related emissions. There is also potential for more local economic impact. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ryan Poe, the founder of The Hungry Locavore, about local agriculture as part of our carbon neutrality and food insecurity solutions.

Melvin Parson founded We The People Opportunity Farm with the mission of helping formerly incarcerated individuals get a second chance at life. After his tragic passing in March of this year, long-time member LaWanda Hollister took over as the farm's executive director. She talked with Lee Van Roth about her vision of keeping Parson's dream of helping others alive.

An initiative is being rolled out from the federal to the local level that will aid Washtenaw County farmers and preserve their livelihoods. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Ypsilanti Township’s We The People Opportunity Farm’s new Executive Director, LaWanda Hollister, says she will do all she can to carry forward the work of founder the late Melvin Parson but admits she has big shoes to fill. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council met in Ann Arbor last week to examine efforts to mitigate events that threaten humans, agriculture and the environment. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Testimonials are pouring in to remember Melvin Parson. The founder of We The People Opportunity Farm in Ypsilanti passed away on Thursday. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

There’s a new educational program that's literally transforming the landscape around Ypsilanti Community Schools, sometimes one sweet potato or pawpaw tree at a time. YCS has launched a new agriscience and botany career technical education program. It's part of a countywide push to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Lee Van Roth discussed the program and what it hopes to achieve with Ypsilanti Community High School biology teacher Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser.

The Saline Township Board of Trustees has rejected a zoning change to allow Related Digital to build a data center on a large parcel of farmland. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

A reversal in a federal funding initiative could end an effort to preserve another 4,000 acres of land in southeast Michigan. $24.6 million had been granted to the Legacy Land Conservancy and its partners for preservation of farmland, forests, wetland and waterways in our region, including Washtenaw County. But the Trump Administration has rescinded that grant. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak weigh the real and potential impacts with Legacy Land Conservancy executive director, Diana Kern.

Doctors in Michigan are seeing an increase in ALS patients. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor has more.