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This year will focus on tile monitoring and cover crops, exploring how they enhance nutrient and weed management in our fields. Additionally, we'll have an exciting drone demo showcasing cover crop application techniques.
We are happy to be able to provide FREE well water testing to attendees of our field day event!
RUP and MAEAP Phase 1 Education credits are also available if you are interested.
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Fall Tree & Native Plant Sale
Pre-orders are open from August 5th to September 8th!
While the early blooms of Spring remind us to plant in the cool moist soils, Fall is also a great opportunity to grow your native plant project. The soil and temperatures of September and October provide conditions for better root establishment ahead of the springtime weeds. Get a jump on your spring gardens by planting this Fall!
Sales include a selection of 5 species of conifer trees including pines, spruces, and fir. Additionally, we offer 24 species of native wildflowers in quart pots, 9 species of shrubs and trees in gallon pots, and four native plant garden kits.
Orders will be available for pick-up at the distribution on Sept. 20th, 1-6 pm at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.
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We appreciate your continued support!
WCCD Millage Renewed
We appreciate your continued support in passing Proposal B, the Washtenaw County Conservation District millage on 8/6! With your continued backing, we can work together to wisely use and preserve our natural resources in Washtenaw County for generations to come. Thank you for standing with us in this important effort!
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| Join us in welcoming the newest members of our team! |
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| Anna Cone, Michigan Climate Smart Farms Conservation Technician |
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As a MCSF Conservation Technician, Anna works closely with farmers, agricultural experts, and environmental organizations to promote sustainable agricultural practices aimed at mitigating climate change impacts while ensuring efficient land management.
Anna’s commitment to land stewardship all began on the apple orchard in Oregon where she grew up. Since then, she has studied at Cornell University and the University of Michigan, where she earned an MS in Ecosystem Science and Management & Environmental Justice. To contact Anna, email anna@washtenawcd.org.
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| Kristen Sutter, Natural Resource Technician |
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Kristen provides technical assistance to farmers, with a focus on the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm Bill Programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Originally from Metro Detroit, she moved to Ypsilanti in 2022 to complete her degree at the University of Michigan. During her studies, Kristen concentrated on food systems and completed an urban agriculture internship. Her passion for conservation grew, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Science. To contact Kristen, email kristen@washtenawcd.org.
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| MIFarmLink Update |
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| Meet a Farmer |
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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.
Brittany is a small farm owner in metro Detroit looking for room to learn and grow.
"My goals include learning to run a regenerative farm/homestead, including flowers, vegetables, grains, and livestock. Would ideally love to learn from someone who is currently running an organic/regenerative farm."
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| Transition to Organic Partnership Program |
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| The What, Why and How of Organic Webinar Series |
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This FREE three-part webinar series is open to all, but is primarily focused on organic-curious farmers and training individuals who may provide technical services to farmers. The dates are September 13th, 20th, and 27th from 12-1 pm. Find more information and register below.
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| Rain Barrels & Composters |
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| Buy a Rain Barrel, Tote, or Composter Get 2 free Native Plants (4.5" pots)! |
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For a limited time this fall, when you purchase a Rain Barrel, 275 Gallon Tote, or Tumbling Composter, you can choose 2 FREE native plants (4.5" potted) from the Fall Tree & Native Plant Sale.
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| Equipment & Hand Tool Rental |
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| Manage Japanese Knotweed with the Herbicide Injector |
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Japanese knotweed is an invasive species that grows very aggressively in disturbed areas. It is detrimental to natural areas by excluding native plants and can cause damage to human structures. The WCCD Tool Lending Library offers a herbicide injector for direct stem injection of herbicide to kill these difficult-to-manage knotweed species. The fall season can be a good time to treat these before the stems get too hard to penetrate.
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- City of Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission
Monday, September 9th at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
- Sharon Township Planning Commission
Tuesday, September 17th at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Township Hall, 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI
- Salem Township Land Preservation & Conservation Board
Tuesday, September 17th at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Road, Salem, MI
- Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee
Wednesday, September 11th at 5:30 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI
- Augusta Charter Township Farmland Preservation Committee
Thursday, September 12th 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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| Old-Growth Forest Network |
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Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
September 6th, 5-9 pm
Join us for Flutter, an elegant and educational fundraiser to raise money for our Access for All initiatives! Our Access for All initiatives provide educational opportunities to people who otherwise couldn't afford them. School scholarships ignite students’ curiosity through field trips and outreach programs, and reduced-cost admission makes memories at the Museum for families receiving food assistance benefits. By purchasing tickets to Flutter, you are directly impacting our ability to create transformative moments of discovery for our entire community. Learn more by clicking here.
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| Bird Walk for Songbirds & Migrants |
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Mary Beth Doyle Park, 2801 Verle Ave, Ann Arbor, MI
September 15th, 6:30-8 pm
Join Natural Area Preservation's Ornithologist, Juliet Berger, for a walk around this beautiful and diverse nature area. We'll hope to see many species of sandpipers as well as other shorebirds on the ponds, migrating songbirds on their way south, and that cool resident species, the Black-crowned Night-Heron.Everyone should wear long pants and closed toe shoes, for possibly walking in the woods on the boardwalk. Bring your binoculars and spotting telescopes if you have them, and we will have binoculars to lend. Park in the Birch Hollow lot, and use overflow parking along Birch Hollow. To register and learn more click here.
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| 8th Annual Fall Seed Share |
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The Michigan Folk School, 2230 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
October 12th, 1-3:30 pm
The Washtenaw County Park & Recreation team will go on a seed collection hike throughout the prairies of County Farm Park and then will return to the Platt Pavilion for a seed share. Everyone is welcome! There are always extra seeds, so even if you don't have anything to share, pick up some seeds and have a cup of tea at the campfire while you converse with like-minded people and learn more about the local native plant gardening and seed-saving community. This event is the kickoff to the Seeds2Community series. We are building a network of gardeners dedicated to saving biodiversity one garden at a time! Learn more here.
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