MSU Extension Beginning Farmer

Soil Fertility & Health

• 

  Apply now for SARE Partnership Grants and SARE Professional Development grants

  Published on October 23, 2025
  Two grant programs support farm educators and agriculture professionals to address sustainable agriculture issues through collaboration with farmers or train-the-trainer projects.

• 

  Michigan Pesticide Applicator Core Review Sessions, RUP credits and MDARD testing for winter 2025 through spring 2026

  Published on October 7, 2025
  Essential information and frequently asked questions regarding the certification process, recertification options and the upcoming Michigan Pesticide Applicator Core Review Sessions with MDARD testing.

• Late-Season Weed Control

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Christy Sprague, MSU Extension weed specialist, discussing late-season weed control.

• Grain Marketing Update

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Jon Laporte, a farm business management educator with Michigan State University Extension, discussing grain marketing updates.

• Agricultural Weather Outlook for September 11, 2025

  Jeff Andersen, Michigan State University agricultural meteorologist, presents a weather forecast focusing on farmer's interests on the Michigan State University Extension Field Crop Virtual Breakfast.

• Using Yield Data Effectively

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Rich Price, conservation systems agronomist educator with Michigan State University Extension, discussing using yield data effectively.

• Hot Topics Q&A with Specialists

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series Hot Topics Q&A session allows attendees to ask questions with our specialists in an open format.

• 

  New MSU Extension bulletin, Winter Bale Grazing in Michigan and the Great Lakes Region now available

  Published on August 26, 2025
  New resource helps livestock producers cut costs, improve soil health, and simplify winter feeding.

• Hot Topics Q&A with Specialists

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series Hot Topics Q&A session allows attendees to ask questions with our specialists in an open format.

• 

  MSU Extension and Newaygo County Conservation District partner to host Farm Field Day

  Published on July 8, 2025
  Attend the Newaygo County Farm Field Day on Aug. 19 to learn about pest management and scouting, irrigation, grazing management, and updates on NRCS funding opportunities and programs. RUP and CCA credits are available.

• Irrigation Management for Corn, Soybeans and Wheat

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Younsuk Dong, associate professor, MSU Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, discussing irrigation management for corn, soybeans and wheat.

• MSU Extension Educator Brent Crain shares the importance of soil testing

  MSU Extension staff were able to highlight our mission and programmatic efforts on WLNS' Discover Greater Lansing thanks to a community sponsorship. This is part eleven of a fourteen-part series.

• Legacy Phosphorus: The Hidden Driver of Tile Drainage Loss

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Ehsan Ghane, associate professor, MSU Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, discussing legacy phosphorus and drainage loss.

• Cercospora for Sugar Beets

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Jaime Willbur, MSU plant pathologist for sugar beets and potatoes, discussing Cercospora management in sugar beets.

• Ag Bioterrorism and Wheat Fungicides

  MSU Extension’s Field Crops Virtual Breakfast features Dennis Pennington and Martin Chilvers discussing recent agroterrorism-related arrests and providing insight on wheat fungicide applications and equipment.

• 

  Irrigation Scheduling Tools

  Published on June 2, 2025
  Irrigation scheduling provides information on the timing and amount of water to apply to meet crop needs.

• Dry Bean Management and Data Driven Decisions

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Scott Bales, MSU dry bean specialist, discussing dry bean management and data driven decisions.

• Heat Stress in Winter Wheat

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist, discussing heat stress in winter wheat.

• Heat Stress in Winter Wheat

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist, discussing heat stress in winter wheat.

• Postemergence Weed Control Options

  The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series features Erin Burns, MSU field crops weed scientist, discussing postemergence weed control options.