The Grand Traverse Conservation District final November shared some thrilling information with the group Inside the Doc Eagle Agritradition Discussion board.

The article introduced thOn the district is creating The good Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF) — an lively, land-based mostly agricultural program Which will foster The enlargement and enchancment Of latest and starting farmers in Northwest Decrease Michigan.

By cultivating new producers Inside the area, GLIF goals to: assist Inside the succession of native farmland, create An space farming mannequin based mostly on guidelines of regenerative agritradition, construct resilience in our native meals economies, and create An enduring tradition of well being and properlyness.

Past incubating new native farm companies, the farm additionally will Carry out An indication farm with A tutorial space for the broader group To work together with and Research meals and farming methods As properly as to right pure useful resource administration.

The GTCD group and companions main this enterprise have made vital progress in its planning and enchancment Over the previous yr. One notably thrilling replace is the settlement that has been reached between the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Fee and GTCD To make the most of the county-owned, historic Meyer Farm rightty located throughout from the Keystone Soccer Complicated As a Outcome of the host website for the incubator farm.

The Meyer Farm rightty was a working farm of the Meyer househprevious since 1922, when it acquired the farm from the Antony Family.

Grand Traverse County purchased the Meyer Farm in 2002 as An factor of a quantity of acquisitions that finally turned the Keystone Soccer Complicated and Birmley-Keystone Property hpreviousings.

The Meyer Farm is located adjoining to Grand Traverse County’s Natural Education Reserve. The companionship and lease settlement between the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Fee and GTCD provides fantastic new alternatives to serve the group. Not solely will GLIF Discover your self to be a website for education and recreation for the group, However It is the hope of each events that a mountaineering/biking path connection be made between the Meyer Farm and the Boardman River Nature Center located on the west facet of the Natural Education Reserve off Cass Road.

This connection Is merely potential by way of a footbridge throughout the Boardman River the place the previous Sabin Dam used To take a seat. By constructing this footbridge throughout the river, go toors Shall be In a place to journey from the Boardman River Nature Center All of the biggest Method to The paths of the Natural Education Reserve on The completely different facet of the river, Making a gooder expertise for hikers and bikers.

In celebration Of these upcoming new enchancments, a Farm Area Day will be held on Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On the Grand Traverse County’s Meyer Farm, 1091 Keystone Road.

The sector Day will function a quantity of instructional durations for agricultural producers and the broader group to Research conservation agritradition, devices and useful assets To assist your farm and backyard, and new initiatives to assist our native agritradition group. Subjects embrace:

• Biochar manufacturing, use, and advantages
• Pollinator well being and habitat
• Enhancing soil well being
• Michigan Agritradition Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
• USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) packages and useful assets
• Farmland safety and succession planning

Registration prices $5 and An space lunch will be embraced. Registration Is restricted, so In case You’ve an curiosity in attending this field day event, please ship an e-mail to Lauren Silver at [email protected] to register.

Do You’d like to Want To assist assist The event of The good Lakes Incubator Farm or the constructing of the footbridge Which will create a essential leisure connection over the Boardman River, please go to: www.natureiscalling.org/assist.

Lauren Silver is Michigan Agritradition Environmental Help Technician On the Grand Traverse Conservation District.