While everyone is seeing prices rising everywhere, farmers are feeling it first.

As the spread of the avian bird flu continues to affect poultry farms across the country, a local grocer and farmer say they have felt the effects.

ROBINSON TWP. — Betsy Cech and Amy Masko are working together to gather pictures and information on historic barns across Robinson Township.

Anne Klintworth came early and prepared – with bags, cash and an open mind – because, the Spring Lake woman says, who knows what you’ll find at the Grand Haven Farmers Market?

The Grand Haven Farmers Market opens for the season Saturday, May 7, under the green canopy at the intersection of Harbor Drive and First Street.

The ups and downs of spring weather are not uncommon in West Michigan, but this time of year is crucial to our budding fruit trees.

HOLLAND — Kids’ Food Basket broke ground Tuesday morning on a 10-acre sustainable, chemical-free farmland, which is being built in partnership with Ridge Point Community Church in Holland.

WEST OLIVE — Mike Bronkema, co-owner and operator of Shady Side Farm in Olive Township, is no stranger to the idea of farmland preservation.

Soaring gas prices have heightened the anxiety levels of Ottawa County’s farmers, just as they start firing up their equipment to get ready for the planting season.

LANSING — Sen. Roger Victory on Wednesday sponsored an agriculture budget supplemental that would direct $1.4 billion to improve Michigan’s food security and invest in rural communities.

Times are tough for Michigan blueberry farmers, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to get better anytime soon.

CHICAGO — Some 40 years ago, the historian for the Mount Greenwood Chamber of Commerce led a movement to save Chicago’s last farm.

Michigan produces the third-most real Christmas trees in the country. Despite the nationwide reports of tree shortages, it hasn’t distressed two West Michigan tree farms all that much.

WEST OLIVE — Students in the Agricultural and Animal Science program at Careerline Tech Center recently placed in the top 15 in two recent Future Farmers of America (FFA) contests.

HUDSONVILLE — West Michigan is in the midst of a growth spurt. Recently released 2020 Census data shows Ottawa County’s population is up 12.3 percent over 2010, making it the fastest-growing county in the state.

For the majority of the spring season, Ottawa County farmers watched as their crops became desiccated in one of the more historically dry seasons across West Michigan due to the lack of rain.

WEST OLIVE — Ottawa County’s farming industry faces unique challenges, including farmland loss and a lack of new farmers entering the industry.

The Grand Haven Farmers Market opened for the season on May 1.

You can celebrate local agriculture and farming in West Michigan at the opening of the Grand Haven Farmers Market on Saturday, May 1.

Ottawa County’s unique farmland produces a variety of different goods and commodities.

BLENDON TWP. — Passed down from one generation to the next, family heirlooms are a legacy. For some, an heirloom is a bracelet or pocket watch. For others, it’s a classic car.

More than 550 Michigan farms produce nearly 100 million pounds of quality fresh and frozen blueberries annually. But the recent explosive growth in imports, unfair trade practices and market-price manipulation strategically timed to undermine domestic growers at their peak harvest has taken …

WEST OLIVE — Few would argue agriculture is an easy profession. When Mother Nature or the market throws a curveball, farming industry professionals stand ready.

With blueberries ripe for the picking, Ottawa County is already primed for a season just as strong as last year.

LANSING — State Sen. Roger Victory was recognized last week by the Michigan Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association for his support of the agricultural industry and the state’s future leaders.

WEST OLIVE — Ottawa County is accepting applications for its Purchase of Development Rights program, part of an effort to preserve the county’s disappearing farmland.

This past year has been one of extremes, including a polar vortex, late-season snow, high water levels and winds and early winter weather setting in around Halloween.

The weather challenges that delayed planting this past spring continue to haunt producers this fall as heavy rains throughout September and October, and now early snowfall in November, interfere with harvest activity, according to Michigan Farm Bureau field crops specialist Theresa Sisung.

ROBINSON TWP. — Many local farmers and others interested in the industry gathered at Spring Meadow Nursery on Friday to learn some statistics and plans for farming.

ROBINSON TWP. — Ottawa County may be one of the fastest-growing counties in Michigan, but over the past few years it has seen a loss in farms and acreage, according to Becky Huttenga, economic development coordinator for the county.

Although National Farm Safety and Health Week has come to a close, those who work on farms and in similar settings should always keep safety in mind.

LANSING — One of Michigan’s wettest planting seasons in history forced Doug Darling to leave about two-thirds of his Monroe County farmland unplanted. And the corn, soybeans and wheat he managed to plant in between downpours? He doesn’t expect any of it to grow up normally. The soil moisture…

LANSING (AP) — The Michigan Legislature on Thursday voted to allocate $15 million to a low-interest loan program to help farmers who face financial losses because wet weather is making it hard to plant crops.

WEST OLIVE — A recent survey has confirmed local landowners’ desire to preserve Ottawa County’s farmland.

EAU CLAIRE (AP) — The polar vortex that enveloped much of the Midwest early this year nearly wiped out the peach crop in southwestern Michigan, according to experts.

The Grand Haven Farmers Market will open for the season Saturday, May 4.

A local community garden movement is growing more than plants in recent years. 

Officials in Michigan’s fastest-growing county are aiming to preserve the county’s farmland.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday for a sweeping agriculture bill that will fund key farm safety net programs for the next five years without making significant changes to the food stamp program.

NEW YORK (AP) — After repeated food poisoning outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce, the produce industry is confronting the failure of its own safety measures in preventing contaminations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is moving to allow year-round sales of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, a boon for Iowa and other farm states that have pushed for greater sales of the corn-based fuel.

John Zysk has been selling apples at the Grand Haven Farmers Market since the 1990s. And, shortly after 3 p.m. this past Wednesday, he was still making sales hours after the market had closed for the day. 

HUDSONVILLE — Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program is hosting its second annual Farms are the Tapas fundraising event from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Terra Square in Hudsonville.

It’s harvesting season for blueberries in Michigan, and Ottawa County is one of the state’s leaders in the industry.

Don’t miss your opportunity to get down on the farm this summer.