Agriculture

There were 27 fatalities due to asphyxiation from grain or soil on Canadian farms between 2011 and 2020

By Emilio Perez Ibarguen

In 2023, community organizers from the outdoor Discovery Center, an outdoor education and conservation-focused nonprofit in Holland, Michigan looked for ways to further sustainability efforts in the west Michigan community. This led to a partnership with another local nonprofit to create the Carbon Community Fund, which accepts donations from residents to fund local conservation efforts.

The post Small city’s ‘community carbon fund’ promises hyper-local carbon reduction first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

The U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative awarded the Ohio Department of Agriculture a $1 million grant to help expand conservation efforts in the Western Lake Erie Basin to help […]

By Rachel Lewis 
With summer in full swing, you-pick farms have been seeing customers picking their own fruits and vegetables across the state. From blueberries and strawberries to tomatoes and asparagus, many people have opted for gathering their produce themselves. For some, this food gathering goes beyond the farm. In recent years, many people have been turning to wild berry foraging. Instead of grocery stores, these foragers seek out fresh fruits, nuts and herbs from local hiking trails or even off the side of the road.

The post Wild berry foraging gains popularity first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

By Rachel Lewis  
With the goal of cutting food waste by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has been helping to fund NextCycle Michigan. This program gives grants and advice to small companies in the state looking to reduce food waste. One of these start-ups is Penny Pickup. With robot food delivery vehicles becoming more popular, the company Orange Sparkle Ball decided to launch Penny Pickup as a pickup service, instead of delivery. Its focus is to remove trash and unwanted items, primarily food waste.

The post Nonprofits and robots help reduce food waste first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Kawartha Lakes, through Peterborough, Northumberland and Prince Edward County has received 90 per cent less than normal rain

he Grand Traverse Band is turning the waste into a compost and fertilizer, cutting down on landfill waste and helping with food sovereignty efforts.

he event, hosted at the Great Wolf Lodge, doubled as a kind of pep rally for the 2026 election, when Michigan will elect a new governor and senator.

By Donté Smith 
The Great Lakes, a vital freshwater expanse for millions, face an ongoing environmental crisis. Beneath the vast waters lies a significant threat: pollution stemming largely from agricultural runoff. This flow of excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen contributes to harmful algal blooms and expanding “dead zones,” jeopardizing ecosystems, water quality and public health across the region. Amidst these challenges, Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, Michigan, works to make a positive impact on the region. Tom McKernan, sanctuary co-founder and operations director, wants the farm to stand as a living model where animal welfare and ecological stewardship aren’t just compatible, but linked.

The post Empowering environmental stewardship: Barn sanctuary champions compassion and Conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Across northern Michigan, hotel taxes generated almost $30 million for area convention and visitors bureaus. Some in Traverse City say the money should go to the county.

he money was slotted for stream restoration and farmland preservation across the region.

The toll of the Canada-U.S. trade war pushed London’s unemployment rate up for a third straight month in June, Statistics Canada says