Berrien Conservation District

Berrien County Conservation District

Think Spring! Order Tree & Shrub Seedlings Now! 

The Berrien Conservation District is offering a variety of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs for purchase. There are also fruit trees and berries available. All orders are due by April 12th. Pick up of all orders are April 26 from 3pm in the afternoon to 8pm in the evening, and on April 27 from 9am until noon. No early pickups. Location is the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, 9122 Old US 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. 

Most seedlings are an average of 18 inches tall and are bundled in quantities from 5 to 100. Fruit trees are sold individually. All sales are final.


 

Attention: We can no longer accept RSVP's for this event as the venue has reached maximum capacity.


Author who walked 1000 miles around Lake Michigan to present at Berrien Conservation District Annual Meeting!

Author, adventurer, and Great Lakes expert, Loreen Niewenhuis, will be the guest speaker at the Berrien Conservation District’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 21st, 2019, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1737 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. 


In her presentation, Niewenhuis will take you along the shores of the lake with photos and video from her journey showing the geology, natural history, and biology of the lake and also what threatens this massive ecosystem: invasive species, pollution, and destruction of wetlands.


The evening program will include dinner, updates by the Berrien Conservation District, election of directors, awards for Conservation Farmer of the Year and MAEAP Environmental Stewardship, and a silent auction with items donated from local businesses and partners.


Doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner to start at 6:00 pm.

The cost is $10 per person. Payment can be made at the door, but reservations are required; call 269-471-9111 x3 or email Nancy.Carpenter@macd.org by Friday, February 15th. Attention: we are no longer taking RSVPs as the venue is full. 


Sponsors for this event include Wolverine Pipeline Company, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, and Upcycle Products. 

Here is a list of silent auction items and who donated them. Please check back! The list is growing!

Loreen Niewenhuis, Award Winning Author: A set of three books: A 1000 Mile Walk on the Beach, A 1000 Mile Great Lakes Walk, & A 1000 Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure

Jack Knorek: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: A Framed Print

Four Winds Casino: $250 Gift Certificate for food or purchases.

Pokagon Band Department of Natural Resources: Traditional Hand Woven Basket

Chikaming Open Lands: Executive Director Ryan Postema will lead a guided tour of one of their newest preserves for up to 10 people.

Upcycle Company, Inc: Rain Barrel and Pedestal

Sew Many Pleasures: Gift Basket

Whirlpool: To be announced

National Grape Coopertive/Terry Holloway: Gift Basket

Berrien Conservation District: Vintage Camera (2)

Alan Martin: A row boat ride for two on Madron Lake, Buchanan

Ausra Equipment & Supply Company, Inc.: 12 Volt Portable Battery Charger, Serving Tray, Plant                                                                           Holder. 

Victoria Toney:  Two Handmade Bee Boxes built from a 10 frame kit

A.M. Leonard Horticultural Tool & Supply Co: Gift Basket

Suzanne Forraht : A 31"x 39" Framed Print. Rural Scene.

Clear Water Meats: Sausage Package

GreenMark Equipment: Tractor Kit and Hat


Sponsors for the event include Wolverine Pipeline Company, Upcycle Products, Inc., and Greenstone Farm Credit Services



Produce Safety Grower Trainings 

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training courses are being held in Michigan from January to May 2019. The target audience is fruit and vegetable growers that need to complete this class as a requirement for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) - Produce Safety Rule. It satisfies requirement 112.22 (c) as outlined in the rule. The classes are currently grant funded and offered free of charge but pre-registration is required to ensure material is available for all attendees. There are a limited number scheduled across the state so it is important growers have this information so they do not have to travel far for this requirement. 

March 28th - PSA Grower Training
Lake Michigan College South Haven Campus
South Haven, MI
Registration at 9am - begins at 9:30am
Lunch is provided

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact us at:

3334 Edgewood Road, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103 

269-471-9111  ext. 3

email: nancy.carpenter@macd.org


We are housed in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Office in the USDA Service Center Building.  Our Office hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Due to the nature of our business, personnel may not be available during normal business hours as farm visits, workshops, training, or other may take us out of the office.  To ensure service please call ahead.

The Regular Monthly Board Meeting for March is the 11th at noon.
2017 Berrien County Plat Books are available at our office! The next one is anticipate to be published in 2020.
 

Local farmers finding ways to make crops and environment 'greener' by adding Water Control Structures to their drain tile. 


The Berrien Conservation District was very excited to invite WSBT's Danielle Kennedy out to interview Patrick Freehling of Baroda on Water Control Structures and their benefits to crop production and water quality!  Click on the link to view the interview:  (click on the white circle in the center of the corn to start the video after clicking the link)


http://wsbt.com/news/local/local-farmers-finding-ways-to-make-crops-and-environment-greener

Mission Statement

The Berrien Conservation District's mission is to promote the protection and improvement of Berrien County's natural resources through partnerships, education, reforestation, ground and surface water protection, and soil erosion control measures.