| Your ONLINE Guide to Washtenaw County Conservation Resources |
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Are you interested in connecting with an organization or business that can help you assess, manage, or preserve your property in Washtenaw County? Check out our online toolkit for landowners, including a fun quiz, to find the right resources!
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2024 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale
Now is the time to plan and prepare your spring tree plantings for success. Checkout our online tree planting resources to be prepared. First, consider the plant's characteristics for site selection: Does it need shade, full sun, dry or moist soil? How tall will it grow and how wide? Consider what existing natural or man-made features nearby. Also, plan to protect your baby trees & shrubs for best survival, we sell various planting aids and also encourage caging trees.
The deadline to order online from the Spring Tree & Shrub Sale is March 18th!
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2024 Spring Native Plant Sale
The Spring Native Plant sale allows green thumbs to pre-order from many species of Wildflowers, Grasses, Sedges, Trees, and Shrubs, all of which are native to our region. The native plants species offered in the sale are perennials that succeed in landscaping and garden settings, providing year-round beauty while also supporting pollinators.
Limited Spring Native Plant pre-sale options remain. Missed out? Fret not, there will be many more vendors and nurseries offering plants for sale at the Native Plant Expo & Marketplace!
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Ticket Required for entry: 8am - 9am, Open & Free For All: 9am - 1pm
Early Bird Tickets Available for the Native Plant Expo & Marketplace!
Join us for the 5th Annual Native Plant Expo & Marketplace on Saturday, June 1st, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. This year, we're introducing an exclusive "Early Bird Hour" from 8 am to 9 am, offering enthusiasts a chance to explore native treasures before the crowd. Early Bird Hour tickets are available for just $5, limited quantity available.
The main event is open and free to the public from 9 am to 1 pm.
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Apply by June 10th, 2024
School & Community Habitat Grant
Is your school, community group, or local organization looking for funding to install a pollinator garden, food forest, rain garden, etc? The WCCD's School & Community Habitat Grant (SCHG) is now accepting applications until the deadline on June 10th, 2024 for project installations in 2025!
Interested, but still have questions?
Join us for a webinar on April 3rd at 3:30 pm (will also be recorded for later viewing) for an overview of how to apply to the SCHG and answers to pre-submitted questions. The SCHG is a great opportunity to get the technical and financial assistance to make your dreams bloom!
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MIFarmLink Update
Discover how MIFarmLink makes farm connections that truly matter!
The newest MIFarmLink located in Belleville, MI. New farmers are leasing the Cedar Field Farm name and running a CSA and market production. If you know someone who is looking to lease or sell their farmland, reach out to us! MIFarmLink is a statewide organization who's purpose is to keep farmland in farming. We facilitate the connections between farmers and their lands either through an outright sale, a lease, or a mentorship.
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Ready to be part of the change?
Michigan Climate Smart Farm Project
Greetings from the Michigan Climate Smart Farm team! Over the next five years, we'll be focusing our efforts on small, diverse, and underserved farms in Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe, and Wayne counties. We're still in the discovery phase, with more questions than answers, but we're making strides every day. Your input is invaluable as we shape the future of farming in Michigan and there are several ways for you to get involved:
- We're on the lookout for Michigan farmers of all sizes and backgrounds to participate in one-hour interviews discussing the impact of a "climate-smart" brand. Compensation: $150 stipend.
- Calling all food industry leaders, buyers, and marketers! Join our one-hour focus group to explore the implications of "climate-smart" branded products. Compensation: $150 stipend.
- Are you a small, diverse, underserved, or under-resourced farmer in the targeted counties? Get involved in on-farm research, including implementing conservation practices, soil sampling, record sharing, and continuous conversation while we develop together. Compensation is a generous, potentially up to $5k stipend, and eligibility for cost-share.
Sign up for these exciting opportunities and stay tuned for updates on our rapidly developing website at miclimatesmart.org/get-involved.
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| Thinking of becoming certified organic? |
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| Allow us to introduce the 'Transition to Organic Partnership Program'! |
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The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a new initiative to help new producers navigate the transition to certified organic production. Each transitioning producer received ongoing mentorship and support from an experienced organic farmer. Mentors and transitioning producers will work together to set goals for the mentorship year and will form a strong network of organic producers across the region.
Transitioning producers receive training, technical assistance, and cost share assistance to help cover costs of certification. Mentors have the opportunity to guide and support producers who are transitioning to organic, providing them with valuable insights, practical advice, and industry best practices. Mentorship training, time, and travel are paid. TOPP is recruiting mentors and mentees from across Michigan on a rolling basis -- all crop and livestock producers anywhere in Michigan are welcome to apply! To learn more and apply as a mentor or mentee, visit washtenawcd.org/topp.
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| Your input matters! |
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| Farmer Advisory Committee |
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Join the Farmer Advisory Committee and play a vital role in tailoring our initiatives to better serve the unique needs of our farming community in Washtenaw!
If you are interested in joining, please contact:
Nick Machinski, Conservation Specialist
734.302.8715, Nick@washtenawcd.org
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Rain Barrel Photo Contest Winner: Saudia S!
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.
"Installing the rain barrel was easy, especially with the shelf [pedestal riser]. Washtenaw Conservation District staff was helpful and answered all of my questions. It's making a difference in both the water supply, and making it easier to get water to my backyard plants" - Saudia S.
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. The first pre-sale pick-up is Monday, March 25th, and we're offering day-of sales. Learn more.
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Apply by March 22nd, 2024
We're hiring a Farmer Programs Outreach Coordinator!
Are you well connected to the farming community in Washtenaw County?
Do you enjoy talking with farmers about their operations? Do you enjoy helping people?
Do you have experience planning and facilitating events? The WCCD is looking for a full-time Farmer Programs Outreach Coordinator!
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The NRCS Farm Bill programs are the primary way in which both technical assistance and funding are provided to landowners (in particular producers). The Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) can assist producers with accessing technical assistance and funding applications.
Click here to learn more and meet with our technician!
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The Farmer Cost-Share Program is intended to assist farmers in Washtenaw County with implementing conservation on the ground. The WCCD cost-share is aimed at assisting with smaller, low-cost projects that can assist farmers in direct ways that will quickly be implemented on the ground—next Application Deadline: April 1, 2024.
Click here to learn more and apply!
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- City of Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission
Monday, April 8th at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
- Sharon Township Planning Commission
Tuesday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Township Hall, 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI
- Salem Township Land Preservation & Conservation Board
Tuesday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Road, Salem, MI
- Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee
Monday, April 1st at 6 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI
- Augusta Charter Township Farmland Preservation Committee
Thursday, March 14th at 3 p.m. at 8021 Talladay Rd, Willis, MI 48191
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| Community Updates |
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Other local events, programs, and happenings.
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| Master Rain Gardener class registration! |
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Design your own rain garden step-by-step during class. Become the neighborhood expert!
Protect your home against flooding & help birds, & butterflies with a RAIN garden!
Register for an in-person class!
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| Rain Barrel Pre-Order |
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Pick-up March 25th, 2024!
Get a "Rain Barrel Starter Kit" and save $10
The WCCD sells rain barrels, composters, and related supplies for water catchment systems and composting systems. These practices conserve rainwater and prevent runoff, and composting practices reduce food waste.
Order yours today!
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| Rural Solar: The Good, The Bad, and The Trade-offs |
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Freedom Twp Hall from 7:00 - 8:30 pm on 3/18
Bridgewater Twp Hall from 6:30 - 8 pm on 3/21
Are you interested in leasing your land to a solar developer? Concerned your neighbor might? Interested in diversifying your revenue stream, but worried about farmland turning into solar fields? Join us to learn the pros, cons, and misconceptions - good & bad - about rural solar.
RSVP is appreciated!
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