By Sonja Krohn
The dry conditions and drought that Michigan is experiencing this winter may adversely affect the upcoming crop growing season.
The post ‘None of this is normal’ – Michigan watches winter drought ahead of growing season first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Lillian Williams
he shrinking number of farms in Michigan – down by about 1,300 between 2023 and 2024 – and the trend of existing farms to expand to survive is changing the culture of rural communities.
The post Shifting farm economy means changes for rural communities first appeared on
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Bankruptcies of Michigan farmers are troubling despite a dip in their Chapter 12 filings last year. Major reasons are higher expenses for inputs such as fertilizer coupled with flat commodity prices.
The post Michigan farmers face bankruptcies, other financial challenges first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
New U-M survey finds only about 5% of rural Michigan residents say they would choose an electric vehicle as their next car. Researchers attribute much of that reluctance to misinformation about the availability of public chargers and the cost of EVs and replacement batteries. The Whitmer administration
By Justin Fox Clausen
Lawmakers are making another effort to adopt Michigan’s first statewide septic code with mandatory inspections, intended to protect drinking water from contamination. It’s the only state without one.
The post Michigan is last state without a septic system code. Will that change? first appeared on Great
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Given dramatic changes in federal energy policy and spending, as well as possible reduction in state financial support for alternative energy projects, is Michigan still on target to reach its clean energy goals?
The post Michigan pushes toward 100% clean energy by 2040 despite funding cuts first appeared
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira
A recent study examines how solar projects could be planned in ways that benefit rural communities without significantly increasing electricity costs.
The post Solar projects bring larger economic gains to smaller communities, study shows first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Eric Freedman
Flashing light on warning signs near curves can slow drivers and reduce the odds of a crash during winter weather conditions, says a new study by Michigan State University engineers.
The post Winter makes curved roads dangerous; researchers seek solutions first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira
“Indigenous Activism in the Midwest: Refusal, Resurgence and Resisting Settler Colonialism” explores how Dakota and Anishinaabe communities in Minnesota continue their relationships to the land and challenge dominant settler narratives about ownership, belonging and identity.
The post ‘Refusal is insisting on your own terms’: Indigenous activism