American Farm Museum And Education Center

10/16/2026

Ag Fact Friday: Did you know? Michigan ranks sixth in the nation in the production of cabbage and third for processed cabbage. Michigan produces several varieties of cabbage in staggered harvests, producing a longer fresh cabbage season. In 2023, Michigan farmers across the state produced 195.8 million pounds of cabbage.

10/13/2026

Here are some tips for preserving your perennial herbs:

Keeping your herb healthy during the growing season with well-drained soil, regular watering, fertilization, and pruning is key to their winter survival.

Most herbs will also benefit from a good 2-to-4-inch mulch cover. Do not mulch heavily until after the first heavy frost—doing so before can actually weaken plants. Winter mulches help maintain soil temperatures and reduce frequent freezing and thawing.

10/09/2026

Ag Fact Friday: Did you know? Michigan chestnuts are sold fresh, peeled, frozen, sliced or as flour. Chestnuts are grown on 143 farms, making Michigan first in the nation in the production of chestnuts. Chestnut flour is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.

The natural sweetness of chestnut flour enhances the delicate flavors of many baked goods. Chestnut slices are a great additive to breads or salads and have a shelf life of two years. Chestnuts can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from soups, stews, and stuffing to fancy desserts.

10/06/2026

Wondering how you should be preparing your garden for the fall and winter months? Here's another important fall gardening task:

A cover crop can be planted as an option to help improve your soil.

Winter wheat and cereal rye are good options for a Michigan garden cover crop.
If you have a very unruly area that has just gone to the weedy side, cover it with black plastic or cardboard and leave it until it’s time to plant in the spring to kill all sprouting seeds.

Source: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preparing-your-garden-this-fall-for-next-years-bounty

10/02/2026

Ag Fact Friday: Did you know? Michigan's projected production of tart cherries for 2026 is 83,100,000 pounds.

09/28/2026

Wondering how you should be preparing your garden for the fall and winter months? Here's another important fall gardening task:

Add organic matter.
Adding organic matter, humus, and manure in the fall allows time for it to become married to the soil. Organic matter is not immediately available for plants, so giving it time will have your plants functioning at peak performance earlier next spring.

Microorganisms are not as active in early spring; feeding them in the fall gives your garden a head start in the spring.

You may also choose to till in the organic matter.

Source:

09/25/2026

Ag Fact Friday: Did you know? Apples are one of the largest and most valuable fruit crops in Michigan. The state slices more apples than any other state for use in pies. Michigan also processes apples into applesauce, fresh and shelf-stable apple c***r, and apple juice, such as Indian Summer juice, which is made in Michigan too!

09/21/2026

Protecting our pollinators is incredibly important. One way you can help is to provide nesting and shelter sites.

Remember that different types of pollinators require different things. Some bees and pollinating beetles may use downed tree limbs and logs; many butterflies lay eggs and rear their young on plants; a small patch of bare ground might serve ground-nesting bees. Potential nesting sites include trees (both living and dead), shrubs, brush piles, bare ground, and bee boxes.

Source: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/helping-in-our-own-backyards.htm

Helping in our Own Backyards

09/18/2026

Ag Fact Friday: Did you know? On average, Michigan produces 125.8 million pounds of carrots annually. This makes Michigan the fourth-highest carrot-producing state in the country.

09/16/2026

Wondering what you should do this fall to prepare your garden for next season? Here are some important tasks:
- Remove all weeds and debris. This reduces homesteads for overwintering insects and diseases.
- Till the soil. Fall is a great time to oxygenate the soil. Tilling should be done once in both directions—a rough till is fine in the fall. Tilling in the fall reduces the need for tilling wet, spring soil. Tilling wet soil is never recommended. Soil can be too sticky in early spring.

Resource: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preparing-your-garden-this-fall-for-next-years-bounty