Michigan’s Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program Funds Four Projects

Michigan’s Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, a partnership among Michigan State University, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced funding for four research and outreach projects. Each of the new projects is funded at roughly $1.25 million over three years. One project focuses on increasing resiliency of tree fruit production to climate change through a holistic approach to water, nutrient and soil management. Other projects will create a decision-support system that promotes sustainable farming by providing insights into climate-smart approaches and provide Michigan field-crop farmers the information they need to build climate-resilient cropping systems. Another project will address specific pest management concerns regarding the effects of erratic weather on early season management, bloom prediction and late-season management in apple, blueberry, cherry and grape production systems.