Introducing Washtenaw County Conservation District's Executive Director, Summer Roberts

When I joined WCCD three years ago, I was drawn to our meaningful work and I remain continuously impressed by the creativity, passion, and support demonstrated by our team. However, despite all our effort and devotion, we would make little progress without all of you - our community. Your financial support via our millage as well as your volunteer efforts allow us to expand and develop programs and services to address the most pressing natural resource concerns expressed by Washtenaw County residents. Our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan outlines goals and objectives for how we plan to build on these achievements and we invite you to consider joining our Board of Directors or Committees to play a direct role in the development and future of the WCCD.

I relished my time as your Community Forester and I am eager to step into a role with a broader focus on advancing the services and programs delivered by the WCCD for our residents. We invite you to learn more about MIFarmLink, Michigan Climate Smart Farm Project (MCSFP), and Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), all relatively new initiatives bringing additional funding into Washtenaw County and beyond to support farmers, increase food security, mitigate climate change impacts, and preserve farmland. I'm thrilled to continue working alongside our dedicated and passionate staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers to further our mission together. On behalf of the staff, we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event, stopping by the office to borrow tools or equipment, or during a site visit through MAEAP or NRCS programs!

To contact Summer, email her at summer@washtenawcd.org

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) works with farmers and landowners to address environmental concerns and improve farm sustainability by working together through one or more of four applicable systems (livestock, cropping, farmstead, and forest/wetland/habitat). The first three systems have been combined to facilitate the MAEAP verification process on farms while the fourth system, forest/wetland/habitat, recognizes farmers and landowners for their contributions to conserving Michigan’s fauna and flora. Twenty-two systems and 14 farmers/landowners have been recognized so far this year for having environmentally sustainable operations, so keep a lookout for those MAEAP signs!

For more information, please contact MAEAP Tech Paul Buzzard at paul@washtenawcd.org

MIFarmLink Update

Farmer Connections

Check out mifarmlink.org. A new-to-Michigan farm linking website seeking to keep farmland in the hands of farmers. Part of that equation is connecting farmers.

Meet Joe Harper. 

He's a tech professional and an Army veteran. He is looking to transition to farming and is seeking land to farm in the Southeast Michigan region. 

For more information, please contact Jill Dohner, MIFarmLink Specialist at info@mifarmlink.org.

Transition to Organic Partnership Program

The Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a USDA-funded program to support transitioning and organic farmers with mentorship, learning opportunities and resources. The MI TOPP program continues to enroll organic and "aspiring organic" farmers for our farmer-to-farmer mentorship. We now have 40 mentorship pairs across the state, representing a diversity of crops, livestock, and even meat processors.

We are looking forward to our 2 scheduled Field Days this summer, open to the public. Registration links are below!

1. TOPP Blueberry Marketing Field Day July 15 in Bangor, MI
2. TOPP Organic Inspection Field Day Aug 2 in Chatham, UP

Rain Barrel Photo Contest Winner: Harold H.

This spring we're highlighting the best Rain Barrel photos submitted to the RainScaping in Southeast Michigan map! Winners will receive a $10 gift card for our sales.

"One of 2 installed and used a LOT last summer and all this spring!" - Harold H.

Join the hundreds of neighbors who have installed rain barrels to save water and protect our watersheds from run-off. We offer various colors and accouterments for your rain barrel needs. 

Thank you to all the Native Plant Expo & Marketplace customers, volunteers, & partners that supported this event!

we expanded and improved the expo with new features: Nature Kids activity area, more food trucks, return of the Milkweed Giveaway, newly improved Speaker Stage with presentations, and more nurseries than ever! We put our hearts into the work, while navigating some staffing transitions, and the event was a smooth success with over 2,219 attendees!