goal is to present golf courses as community assets and are a value to communities irrespective if they engage in the sport of golf. Values are described as ecosystem services and include stormwater management, flood risk mitigation, carbon sequestra...

Metro Community Development is a coordinated continuum of care organization and the convening fiduciary for a network of Genesee County organizations and agencies providing housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. NCI was c...

The overall goal is to accelerate the adoption of a sustainable food safety culture in commodity-based low-moisture food systems (via an integrated, transdisciplinary, systems-based approach, with interconnected and parallel research, extension, and ...

Conducted evaluation of 10 Cents a Meal to understand the impact of the program on school children's consumption of Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables and legumes as well as the impact on Michigan's economy and farm/food businesses. Evaluation results...

With a team of 7 NGOs serving beginning farmers, 6 extension educators and 5 members from Center for Regional Food Systems and myself we are developing curriculum that engages beginning farmer by providing technical information on production and mark...

On 14 Michigan organic farms tested with the farmers 4 cover crops, two single species and 2 mixtures ( one combo was selected by each farmer for the farm). Looked at these for production and nutrients contribution to the soil and next years plants.

Beginning Latino farmers are changing the face of specialty fruit production in the Midwest by replacing an older generation of Caucasian farmers. However, transitioning from employment in industrial and farm laborer settings to farm owners is challe...

Latino beginning farmers (los granjeros) in the Great Lakes are establishing in the small fruit industry and are just entering vegetable production. La Cosecha (the Harvest) program is recognized as a successful program for Latino farmers of all ages...

Working with agency staff around the Lake Erie basin for continued control of grass carp. We held both in-person and remote meetings to discuss updates to research and control efforts, make plans for future efforts, etc.

Using the structured decision making framework to aid the MDNR and Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians in making decision for selective fish passage on the Boardman River, in association with the FishPass Project. Conducted workshops w...

Working with stakeholders to determine best stocking practices for the 5 salmonid species currently stocked in Lake Michigan and updating models to better reflect current environmental conditions / expectations for fish production.

I organized a series of meetings for a potential beef cooperative formation including four meetings across the state, including the Michigan Cattlemen’s annual meeting.

Why: The Michigan Good Food Charter is an action and advocacy framework that promotes collaboration to advance a “good food system” in Michigan, that is a thriving food economy distinguished by equity, health, and sustainability. The Charter was in...

I have applied my neighborhood research to create a sense of community in the village. I helped design, implement, analyze and interpret a survey of residents of the low income housing development to assess their quality of life, connection to neighb...

Over the past two years, Michigan has worked to develop its farm to early care and education (ECE) infrastructure through a cross-sector statewide network focused on equity, the development of procurement pilots in priority communities, and technical...

The National Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation & Information Center (NTAE) is funded by the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). The GusNIP program focuses on reducing food insecurity, increasing fruit & vegetable intake...

The MI GAAMPS for the Care of Farm Animals includes all species of farmed animal including, game birds, deer, South American camelids, fox and mink, fish and bees. I chaired the committee since 2007 through December 2021. Each year a committee of sci...

The innovation lab is focused on building human and institutional capacity for capacity applied research with policy impact in developing countries. The research is done in a highly collaborative way with local partners, with mechanisms in place to e...

I am leading several stakeholder engaged research efforts to evaluate best management practices for producing grains to be used locally and regionally for craft beverages. This includes variety and agronomy testing, including constant interaction wit...

Two projects were conducted over the course of Spring 2021 semester for IDES 352. Projects were proposed renovations of a mercantile space and a cafe/restaurant in downtown Albion. Class worked in conjunction with Albion Reinvestment Corporation, a n...

My involvement was focused on the programming for senior interior design capstone project that runs throughout the academic year. I teach the fall course (IDES 442) where programming for the project is completed. This year the project is in conjuncti...

Multiple online workshops were held, primarily with Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division personnel. These MDNR personnel have management responsibility for wetlands throughout the state of Michigan. The goal of the project is ...

Michigan is the lead state in a multistate project addressing issues related to mallard ecology in the Great Lakes. The expected increase in mallard numbers, in conjunction with high water levels in the Great Lakes, did not occur. The primary goal of...

Directed this statewide volunteer lake and stream monitoring program. Goals include collecting vital water quality data, educating the public on freshwater ecology and associated issues, and building a cadre of Michigan residents that are personally ...

Provide coordination and technical assistance for the the Michigan Food Hub Network, a group of ~12 regional food distributors in Michigan. Goals of the network are to increase sales of local and regional foods, increase food access and farmer viabil...