Berrien Conservation District

Our November Board meeting will be Monday, November 14, at 12 noon. Location is at the USDA Service Center Building, 3334 Edgewood Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

If you wish to ask a question of a board member or manager:

Board Chair/Director, Brandy Wise-Tenter, email brandy_wise_tenter@whirlpool.com

Treasurer/Director, Ryan Postema, email rpostema@chikamingopenlands.org

Director, Bette Pierman, email bette49022@yahoo.com

Director, Kait Lemon, email kait.lemon@gmail.com

Director, Terry Holloway, email THolloway@welchs.com

Manager, Nancy Carpenter, 269-471-9111 x3 or email nancy.carpenter@macd.org

Berrien County Conservation District's mission is to promote the protection and improvement of Berrien County’s natural resources through education, management, and technical assistance.

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Berrien County Conservation District is a local unit of government and a political subdivision of the State of Michigan. The District's authorities, powers, and structure are contained in Michigan Conservation District Law. Berrien Conservation District comprises all of Berrien County and was formed in 2006 with the merging of the Galien River and St. Joseph River Conservation Districts that were established in the 1940's. Our goal is to conserve and protect land, air, water, and wildlife today for future generations.

We are board-driven and monthly board meetings occur on the second Monday of each month at 12pm; exceptions occur when holidays land on a Monday. The public is welcome to attend the board meetings.

Berrien Conservation District

3334 Edgewood Road

Berrien Springs, MI 49103

(269) 471-9111 x3

Manager email: nancy.carpenter@macd.org

Farmland Preservation Workshop to be held in Berrien County on November 17th.

A workshop: “Agricultural Preservation: Options to Protect Your Farmland” will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Thursday, November 17th at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI. The meeting is free, but space may be limited. Please register by either calling the Berrien County Conservation District at 269-471-9111 x3, or, emailing Nancy.Carpenter@macd.org by November 11th. A free lunch sponsored by the Berrien County Farm Bureau will be provided after the presentations and during a panel discussion.

Doors open at 9:30 am with presentations to start promptly at 10:00 am.

This workshop for farmers and landowners will provide the latest information regarding county and state programs on easements and farmland preservation.

Speakers are Jarrod Thelen from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who will present on the state Farmland Preservation Program also known as PA 116; Elizabeth Brost will discuss the State of Michigan Purchase of Development Rights Program, Katie Montoya from Berrien County Community Development will talk about the Berrien County Purchase of Development Rights Program; Ryan Postema from Chikaming Open Lands will discuss options and resources available to preserve farmland with a land conservancy, and Ed Kretchman will give a landowners perspective. A panel discussion will follow.

Virtual option meeting link: https://fbinsmi.webex.com/fbinsmi/j.php?MTID=m6ab9ca2dc920675a9e33e4354bf13f28

Or, join by phone: 1-877-668-4493, use Meeting number/access code 2317 388 0162, and meeting password mUwfpYGW623

Thank you to everyone who came out to our “Forestry Management Field Day” on Thursday, June 23rd. It was great to see so many interested in MAEAP and protecting our Forest, Wetland and Wildlife Habitats!