Farm News
Local farmer directs America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation
by Judy Williams and Patrice Johnson Each year, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program offers farmers nationwide an opportunity to apply for a $2,500 grant that is then donated to a local nonprofit organization of the applicant’s choice. Stockbridge farmer Ben Topping applied, and in May learned his application was selected. He directed his $2,500 award to the […]
Christmas on the Farm brings Christmas Past to Christmas Present
revised 12/13/2018 by Patrice Johnson Rain pattered onto barn roofs and then snow dusted the bakehouse during the Waterloo Area Historical Society’s annual Christmas on the Farm, Dec. 1 and 2. But neither rain nor snow deterred hearty visitors from traveling to the Waterloo Farm Museum in order to step back in time to an […]
American Beauty Turf Nurseries Inc. a successful business for 62 years
by Roberta Ludtke An old adage states people don’t plan to fail, instead they fail to make a plan. This does not apply to Abe and Ruth Anne Parente, owners of American Beauty Turf Nurseries Inc. in Stockbridge. Early on, these octogenarians had a life plan. Abe and Ruth Anne were both raised in […]
Annual Antique Tractor-Truck show full of fun for families
by Ron Kaiser It was a great time for all lovers of tractors, trucks and farm equipment to gather, talk and reminisce. The 12th annual Antique Tractor-Truck and Farm Equipment Show at the Waterloo Farm Museum on Aug. 11-12 featured activities for all ages. In fact, the name of the event could have been changed […]
Send us your fair photos
Do you know children who attended a fair and won prizes with their animals or projects? If so, send us photos and captions and we’ll do our best to post them on our website and possibly in print, as space allows. Please also tell us who snapped each photo. Email your photos and info to […]
Stockbridge Township paves way for $2.4 million solar farm
revised 7/19 and & 7/20/2018 by Patrice Johnson July 11, Cypress Creek Renewables moved a step closer to building a $2,400,000 solar farm in Stockbridge Township, thereby launching its entrance into Michigan. “It is the first site we have taken through the zoning approval process in the state,” wrote Kat Webber, CCR’s Community Engagement Manager. […]
At age 89, Mark ‘Baler-Man’ Smith retires
by Bob Castle Area farmers have one less farm equipment repair expert to turn to, now that the “Baler Man” has decided to retire. Mark “Baler Man” Smith, at age 89, has closed his Smith’s Farm Implement Repair at his home at 5100 Kinsey Road. His specialty of fixing hay balers gave rise to […]
Save the bees
By Michael Sweet Bugs that chase us around the yard and try to sting us are no doubt annoying, but those buzzing dive-bombers are more likely wasps than bees. Bees pollinate 90 percent of wild plants and more than 30 percent of the world’s food crop, valued at $325 billion. If we humans wish […]
Alternative energy company in discussions to locate a solar farm in Stockbridge Township
By Bob Castle If details can be worked out, plots of land on the former Krummrey farm in Stockbridge Township may become home to an alternative, energy-producing solar farm. Last year, the Krummrey farm was divided and sold to several different farm development investment companies. Now, Arizona-based Cypress Creek Renewables, a provider of solar farm […]