In The Weeds: Conservation Programs That Pay

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 7: MSU Extension educators Nicolle Ritchie and Madelyn Celovsky discuss weed control learnings and updates with Dr. Christy Sprague and Dr. Erin Burns. As the 2026 season winds down, submit suspected herbicide resistant weed seeds to the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab for testing. This episode mentions Bulletins Live Two and the EPA Herbicide Strategy. For videos on how to use each tool, check out Innovative Agronomy Tools: EPA Bulletins Live Two and Innovative Agronomy Tools: Pesticide App for Label Mitigation.  Share your feedback on In the Weeds in this short survey: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0uibH4l4prT6oFU 

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 6: MSU Extension educators Nicolle Ritchie and Madelyn Celovsky discuss drones for weed management with Dr. Christy Sprague and Dr. Erin Burns. When contracting pesticide applications, make sure the business you contract is on the Michigan Licensed Pesticide Applicators list. Watch this video for more information on using the list. Share your feedback on In the Weeds in this short survey: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0uibH4l4prT6oFU 

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 5: MSU Extension educators Nicolle Ritchie and Madelyn Celovsky sit down with Kathryn Christie founder of An Earful of Agriculture. She talks about sharing the realities of farming with the general public on social media and through her children's books. 

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 3: MSU Extension educators Nicolle Ritchie and Madelyn Celovsky sit down with Dr. Manni Singh, MSU Cropping Systems Agronomist. He talks about taking a systems approach to early soybean planting in Michigan. One key factor for planting decisions is soil temperature, which can be monitored remotely through MSU's Enviroweather network. Read more from Manni's recent publications: Should you prioritize planting soybeans or corn?; Systems approach to early soybean planting in Michigan; Late season soybean decisions: Maximizing harvest efficiency and planning for 2027.  

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 4: MSU Extension educators Nicolle Ritchie and Madelyn Celovsky sit down with Dr. Manni Singh, MSU Cropping Systems Agronomist. He talks about corn hybrid relative maturity findings from his recent publication Optimizing Corn Hybrid Maturity Selection for Maximum Yield and Profit in Michigan and Northern Regions. Manni also highlights the U2U Tool, a free online tool for historic and forecast corn growing degree days.

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 2: MSU Extension educators Monica Jean and Madelyn Celovsky sit down with Tess Van Gorder, Michigan Farm Bureau Conservation & Regulatory Relations Specialist. Tess offers an update on what carbon and sustaibility market opportunities look like for Michigan farmers now, and what they might look like in the future.

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 3: MSU Extension educator Monica Jean  sit down with Dr. Christine Sprunger, an Associate Professor of Soil Health at MSU. Her Lab and is based at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and they commercially test soil health measurement for farms. This podcast will be discussing what the soil protein test is measuring and how farmers can use it. Resources:MSU Soil Health & Ecosystem Ecology LabMI Forever Green Field Crops Farmer Group

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 3: MSU Extension educator Monica Jean  sit down with Dr. Christine Sprunger, an Associate Professor of Soil Health at MSU. Her Lab and is based at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and they commercially test soil health measurement for farms. This podcast will be discussing what mineralizable carbon or respiration test is measuring and how farmers can use it. Resources:MSU Soil Health & Ecosystem Ecology LabMI Forever Green Field Crops Farmer Group

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 3: MSU Extension educator Monica Jean  sit down with Dr. Christine Sprunger, an Associate Professor of Soil Health at MSU. Her Lab and is based at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and they commercially test soil health measurement for farms. This podcast will be discussing what the permanganate oxidizable carbon test is measuring and how farmers can use it. Resources:MSU Soil Health & Ecosystem Ecology LabMI Forever Green Field Crops Farmer Group

In the Weeds Series 16 Episode 1: MSU Extension educators Monica Jean and Madelyn Celovsky sit down with Bryan Rogers ([email protected]) of Rogers Ag Consulting. Bryan shares tips for navigating the current conservation programs in Michigan.Some of the programs mentionedFor info about NRCS programs, contact your local NRCS field officeWestern Lake Erie Basin Pay for Performance (for farmers in the WLEB only)ADM re:generations programStar of the West Sustainability Programs