Professional Improvement Tours 2007

Tour Descriptions
Michigan boasts the second most diverse agricultural production in the United States. Learn how our natural resources near the Great Lakes offer opportunities and challenges to agricultural production and wise land use. Lunch will be provided on all full day tours, as well as drinks and snacks. Many tours travel over only two or three counties and the first stop of every tour is within the first hour after departing he conference center. A historical or point of interest is included on nearly every tour. All tours will require some moderate walking (unless otherwise noted) so wear comfortable walking shoes.

#1 Everything You Wanted to Know about Blueberries!
The heart of the blueberry industry is western Michigan. This tour will take participants to blueberry farms, packing and processing facilities and MSU research facilities. At the 200-acre Woodland Acres Farm, owned and operated by the VanderKooi family, visitors will learn about cultural practices, varieties and crop management problems. They will see handpicked berries processed and packed for fresh market at Lakeside Pick and Pack. At the West Michigan Blueberry Co-op they’ll see fruit processed for use in muffins, pies, yogurt, and other baked goods. The stop at MSU’s Trevor Nichols Research Complex will highlight cutting-edge research and education using Integrated Pest Management. Visitors can pick their own blueberries or purchased tasty products at Reenders Blueberry Farms, a west Michigan tourist destination attracting thousands of visitors each year. This family-owned enterprise consists of 600 acres of blueberries, a packing plant for processing and fresh blueberries, a farm market, a nursery and an agricultural machinery museum. Moderate walking.

#2 Southwest Michigan Irrigated Production Tour
Southwest Michigan is blessed with a unique combination of topography, soil types and a lake-moderated climate that supports the nation’s second most diverse agriculture. While the region receives ample annual precipitation, seasonal variation makes irrigation important for profitable production. This tour will focus on the challenges facing producers who irrigate in a changing regulatory and political environment. Stops will highlight irrigated seed corn, commercial vegetable and fruit production systems. The tour will wind through areas producing everything from apples to watermelon, celery to grapes and peppers to zucchini. A final stop in the lovely beach town of South Haven (www.southhaven.org) will provide shopping and relaxation on beautiful Lake Michigan. Pack a beach towel and sunscreen and be prepared to enjoy Michigan’s great southwest. Moderate walking.

#3 Flower Production, Historical Farming and the Air Zoo
Get your fill of beauty and history during a tour that showcases southwestern Michigan’s greenhouses and history. It begins at Henry Mast Greenhouse, one of Michigan’s largest wholesale greenhouses. Next it’s on to Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center, a family-owned business that has grown and expanded during its 60 years in business. During lunch at historical Celery Flats in Portage, visitors can learn about the area’s celery growing history, which dates back to 1856. After a stroll along the Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail, prepare for takeoff at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, where aviation history comes alive. The stop at Kalamazoo Specialty Plants will feature a wholesale greenhouse in production year-round with specialty plant material and a look at River Street Flowerland, which strives to create an exciting shopping experience offering more than 100 varieties of herbs, nearly 1,000 perennial varieties, beautiful annuals and a wide selection of ornamental trees & shrubs. Moderate walking. Required fee $25

#4 From Field to Fork – A Visit to Michigan’s Agri-Food System
This tour will start at the new, $21 million Michigan Turkey Producers Cooperative cook plant, where visitors will learn how 16 turkey producers formed a cooperative three months after their processor announced it was leaving. The next stop will be at the J.A. Besteman Co., the state’s largest independent wholesale organic produce and specialty food distributor. We’ll see the fun side of Michigan’s agri-food industry when we enjoy lunch at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team that is part of the Detroit Tigers farm system. A behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium operations will give us a look at the concessions that serve 125,000 hot dogs each season and 3,500 pounds of pork chops. Then, we’ll tour two fruit packing operations that market through Riveridge Produce and see how fresh Michigan sweet cherries and fresh-cut apple slices travel from the farm to the consumer. Moderate walking. Inform of special dietary needs (vegetarian and/or non-pork).

#5 Fruit Ridge Agritourism
The highly concentrated fruit growing area northwest of Grand Rapids is locally and nationally known as “The Ridge”. The area is recognized as one of the world’s prime fruit growing regions, which requires a large support system to meet its research, education, and production needs. See how MSU answers the challenge at the Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station. Then, visit four apple farms, each with its own on-farm marketing strategy from very commercialized agri-tourism to small U-pick operations. We will enjoy lunch at Klackle’s Cornucopia Farm Market, a very successful farm market that has a large on-farm market and other activities. A successful 3rd generation farm market, Robinettes Apple Haus www.robinettes.com, has recently added a winery and wine tasting room. We will also stop at a local farm equipment shop providing specialized equipment and the Wilbur-Ellis distribution center that have been instrumental in support of the fruit industry. Moderate walking.

#6 Southwest Michigan’s Diverse Fruit Industry
This tour will visit many of the different types of fruit farms in Southwest Michigan. The first stop is a blueberry farm near Paw Paw, to view blueberry harvest and packing operations. The next stop will be one of the largest grape vineyards in Michigan. This stop will focus on mechanization in the grape industry. Fruit processing is an important part of the region’s economy and Honey Bear Packing will be receiving and canning cherries when the tour visits. After lunch we will visit St Julian’s Winery the oldest winery in Michigan. We will then visit a diversified fruit tree orchard with a roadside market located near Kalamazoo. The final stop will be Tillers International, http://www.tillersinternational.org/, an institute dedicated to maintaining the knowledge of low-tech animal powered agriculture and disseminating this knowledge to third world farmers. Moderate walking.

#7 Manure Treatment Methods Aid the Environment and Increases Profits
This tour emphasizes the environmental and economic value of manure in three manure management systems. The first stop examines how anaerobic digestion of food waste and manure at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids saves money and helps the zoo meet its mission of sustainability. There may be an opportunity to look behind the scenes at the zoo. The second stop is Shady Side Farm, a poultry operation that composts manure and industrial waste sawdust using an in-vessel composting system. You’ll learn how industry and agriculture can work together to solve waste management problems. Then it’s off to the 2,000-cow Scenic View Dairy. This stop emphasizes how the anaerobic digester has become a profit center for the farm. The final stop will be at Zeeland Farm Services to view value added soybean products marketed around the world. Moderate walking.

#8 Vegetable Production in Western Michigan
One of Michigan’s special horticultural production areas is located only 20 minutes west of downtown Grand Rapids in the Hudsonville area. Large areas of dried lakebeds provide rich organic soils for vegetable crops like celery, onions, lettuce and radishes. Couple a unique soil with a favorable climate created by Lake Michigan’s moderating influence, and you’ll find yourself in the state’s salad bowl. On this tour we will see many aspects of vegetable production – from large-scale, diverse operations, to small-scale, direct-marketed truck farms. There will be a stop at a highly specialized celery farm (Did you know that a celery plant can grow more than three feet-tall?) and a visit to a company that manufactures vegetable transplanters. We’ll round out the day with a tour of a farm museum. Moderate walking.

#9 Great Lakes Fisheries
This tour starts aboard the Steelhead, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (MDNR) research vessel. Biologists will discuss research underway to sustain this valuable sport fishery. The tour will move north to Ludington where we will visit Consumers Energy’s Pump Storage Facility on 400-foot bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. This electrical generation plant pumps water to an 842-acre reservoir, which is released through turbines to generate as much as 1,872 megawatts of power. We’ll then head to the Ludington Municipal Marina, where members of the Ludington Charterboat Association will treat you to a Great Lakes fish boil and discuss their industry and long-term work with Sea Grant Extension. Our last stop will include a visit to Jensen’s Fishery and Bluffton Bay Marina in Muskegon. Jensen’s is one of two remaining state licensed trap net fisheries on lower Lake Michigan. You’ll learn about the commercial fishery and the transition this business is making to develop business in eco-tourism. Moderate walking.

#10 Economic Development and Native American Issues
Michigan is home to several Native American communities, and on this tour you’ll have the chance to learn about them at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Ziibiwing (which means “by the water” in Ojibwa) began as a grassroots organization to address the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act in 1993. Since then, Ziibiwing has grown into a first-class cultural center and museum that preserves and portrays the history, culture, and arts and crafts of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe and other Great Lakes Anishinabek. Other stops include Nimkee Health Clinic and the Elijah Elk Cultural Center/7th Generation. The 7th Generation program has greenhouses, gardens, wood shops, stone carving and other a cultural activities that promote the preservation of Native American culture. Visitors will learn how the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has prospered, promoted economic development and improved the lives of tribal members. Moderate walking.

#11 A Walk on the Wild Side Nature Lovers and Garden Enthusiast
Take a walk on the wild side and immerse your senses in lush gardens, pristine woodlands and gentle wetlands during this hands-on tour. See a prime example of an urban outreach garden designed by MSU Extension Master Gardeners that showcases the newest plants and growing methods. You will spend time learning about innovative, self-supporting programs developed by Kent County residents. A walking tour of area gardens will inspire you to add new plants to your home landscape and will be followed by lunch in a historic northern Kent County inn. After touring a scented woodland garden, we will visit a local nature preserve to explore how MSU Extension has developed a new program that supports volunteer work in a conservation setting. Our last stop will remain a mystery. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and definitely bring your camera. Moderate walking/outdoor.

#12 Historic Barry County, Direct Markets and Ethanol
Leave the hustle and bustle of the big city and enter beautiful Barry County—home to more than 350 lakes. Your first stop will be Otto’s Turkey Farm and retail store. As you continue on to the county seat of Hastings, you will learn about land use issues – a topic that will continue throughout the day. While in Hastings, tour the restored historic courthouse and eat lunch at the county MSU Extension office. Then it’s on to Charlton Park Historic Village, where you’ll see a recreated Michigan pioneer village. Then it’s time for ice cream at MOOville Creamery-– a family-owned dairy direct market. The final stop will take you to U.S. Bio Woodbury, Barry County’s new ethanol plant, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol and 160,000 tons of dried distiller's grain per year from more than 16 million bushels of corn. Moderate walking.

#13 Land Use Issues in Kent County ¾ day tour
Learn about Kent County's Purchase of Development Rights Program by touring the first farm to be preserved with its owner and a member of the Kent County Agricultural Preservation Board. You’ll then visit an agri-science center, where students learn about natural resource issues through hands-on experiences. You’ll hear presentations about MSU Extension's land use educational initiatives, including the innovative Citizen Planner program. The third stop will take you to the Grattan Township office, where lunch will be served. Participants will learn how Grattan Township officials have implemented some of the most groundbreaking land use policies for protecting agricultural lands, while allowing for development. The last stop on the tour is the original location of Heffron Farms, a direct sales business. Moderate walking.

#14 Neighborhood Art, Antiques, & Eats ¾ day tour
Grand Rapids is known as the city of neighborhoods. See for yourself what the city’s vibrant and diverse neighborhoods have to offer. On this tour you’ll sample ethnic foods from the Polish west side to East Indian cuisine on the east side of town. We will walk the Avenue of the Arts in the Heartside neighborhood and visit with local artists in their studios. There will also be an opportunity to visit neighborhood art galleries. There are many antique stores along our route and you’ll have the chance to visit them during a one-hour shopping stop at the Eastown business district. Admire your purchases as you enjoy lunch at Cherie Inn--an East Hills neighborhood favorite. The tour will finish by winding through Heritage Hills, Grand Rapids’ largest historic district, where you’ll hear about how many of the large Victorian homes there were saved from demolition. Moderate walking.

#15 Christmas Tree Production and Agribusiness Marketing
This tour will focus on several different crops and how the farm operations diversified to meet challenges and expanded their market opportunities. Klackle Orchards, a third generation family fruit growing operation with 300 acres of apples and other crops has annual production of nearly 200,000 bushels of apples. A desire to sell more of the apples directly to the customers and to share the excitement of the harvest season resulted in the Klackle Orchards Family Fun Farm, an agri-tourism operation and the Cornucopia retail farm market. We will then visit two of our most progressive wholesale Christmas tree farms, Mathisen and Korson Tree Farms. These farms both started specializing in cut Christmas trees but expanded into offering a range of nursery stock. These growers intensively produce over eight different varieties of trees along with providing wreaths and roping for the holiday season. We’ll visit West Michigan Bean formed by local growers to market their colored-bean varieties (cranberry, light red kidney, etc.). The last stop will be at a small acreage farm with a developing market. Moderate walking.

#16 Turf, Ornamentals and Floriculture Research at MSU
MSU is at the cutting edge of research in turf, ornamentals and floriculture and during this tour you will learn about all three. The Hancock Turf Research Center visit will highlight a 56-acre facility devoted to studying and improving turf for golf courses, sports fields, commercial sites and homes. We’ll then see the 29 acres of ornamental research at the MSU Horticulture Farm. Following lunch you’ll tour the MSU Plant and Soil Sciences Building and the surrounding DeLapa Perennial Gardens, Annual Trial Gardens, 4-H Children’s Garden and the Clarence Lewis Landscape Arboretum. Explore this seven-acre complex of annual and perennial flower trials and display gardens, see student-designed and built landscapes and hear how the nationally recognized 4-H Children’s Garden use the Web to educate children in plant science and horticulture. Our last stop will offer a review of floriculture research. Dress for the sun and moderate walking.

#17 Fruit & Vegetable Production & Processing, Value Added Agriculture and Great Lakes Ecology
This tour offers highlights of Oceana County, a major agricultural production area and a thriving tourist destination. It begins at NJ Fox and Sons, a major West Michigan fruit growing operation to watch cherries being harvested. From there you’ll travel to Peterson Farms, the largest fruit processing plant east of the Mississippi River. The next stop is Country Dairy, a pioneering value-added farm that bottles milk, makes cheese and ice cream, where you’ll tour the processing plant and enjoy lunch. At Greiner Farms visitors will hear from leaders of a new cooperative that has helped Michigan asparagus growers compete with foreign competition by shifting millions of pounds of processed asparagus into the fresh market. Then it’s on to Eugene Kokx and Son Farm, a diversified vegetable production operation. The tour finishes with a thrilling ride over the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, a unique part of the Lake Michigan Shoreline ecology that draws thousands of tourists annually. Moderate walking. Required fee $13.

#18 Forestry and Forest Products
Grand Rapids has been a world center of furniture design and manufacturing for nearly 150 years. Michigan’s forests are keys to the success of that industry, providing fine hardwoods for many of the products made in the region today. This tour will begin in the forest--MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest, to be exact. Established on abandoned agricultural land, Kellogg Forest is known worldwide for research on tree breeding and genetics, planting techniques, plantation establishment and management. We will then head to the nearby W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, noted for efforts to restore trumpeter swan populations in the Midwest. After lunch we will tour the Kellogg Manor House, the restored former summer home of cereal giant W.K. Kellogg. The tour will conclude in Grand Rapids with a visit to one of the area’s furniture manufacturing facilities. Moderate walking.

#19 Dairy Production, Cheese and Local Issues
This tour begins at one of the biggest milk manufacturing plants in the Midwest. It will then take you to Steve-&-Sons Grassfields Cheese, a sustainable farm that produces and processes organic milk. At River Ridge Farms we’ll see a 1,000-cow dairy on the banks of the Grand River, an environmentally sound operation that has been verified under the voluntary Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. You’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Coopersville Farm Museum. During the return drive through the “fruit ridge” agricultural production center northwest of Grand Rapids you’ll learn about land use issues and visit Robinettes Apple Haus, which has recently added a winery and wine tasting room. Moderate walking.

#20 Potatoes, Beans and Gliders
Montcalm County is Michigan’s number one potato-producing county. This tour will take you to the MSU Potato Research Farm, where you’ll learn about research on soil quality, disease predication, insect control, potato breeding, new variety evaluation and storage demonstrations. The tour will also stop at several farms and highlight crop rotation, innovative planting and harvesting equipment, marketing practices, on-farm storage and sorting, and pest management. Additional stops include West Michigan Bean, a five-farm cooperative bean storage and processing plant, and a museum where gliders were manufactured during World War II. Moderate walking.

#21 Direct Marketing in Southwest Michigan
Our direct market sampler tour starts at the beautifully restored Crane’s U-Pick. We’ll then head around the corner to award-winning Fenn Valley Winery to sample the fruit of the vineyard. Lunch and a tour of the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center will follow. Research and Extension conducted at the center reflect the diversity of southwest Michigan agricultural production. At Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm we’ll see orchards of heritage apple varieties and the home of the annual world cherry pit spitting competition. The next tour stop will give us the chance to relax as we stroll along the St. Joseph pier. The final stop is at DeGrandchamp Farm, where we’ll see the farm market and nursery and pause for a unique taste of southwest Michigan. Moderate walking.

#22 Beef Production and Direct Marketing
This tour of beef production and marketing facilities begins at Oak Row Angus, a progressive purebred Angus operation with an extensive A.I. and embryo transfer program. Our next stop will take us to the equally innovative 1,000-cow Hardy dairy farm. We’ll then head to Jones Family Meat Market, a third generation, family-owned packing facility with retail sales counter. The market uses composting to handle the offal and slaughter facility waste products. The last two stops combine the Heffron Farms family-owned Holstein steer feedlot and on-farm retail meat market. You’ll see how one farm has developed a program to market a commodity direct to the consumer and survive in today’s competitive retail market place. Moderate walking.

#23 Intensive Livestock Production in Michigan
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is a voluntary environmental program that gives farmers the opportunity to receive certification for following environmentally sound practices. It has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan’s legislature as a unique alternative for meeting environmental compliance on livestock farms. This tour will take you to leading beef, pork and turkey production farms that have received MAEAP verification. You’ll see a 4,000-hog finishing operation and a 60,000-bird turkey farm that are sited less than a mile apart. The tour includes a new 3,400-sow farm that is using wean-to-finish management in contract finishing barns and a 4,000 head totally slatted beef barn and a modern feed mill producing pelleted feeds for turkeys and hogs. Leaders in the development of the Michigan Turkey Growers processing co-op will share their experiences in product marketing. Lunch will be at the historic Saravilla Inn and include a visit by a local Gratiot County historian. Moderate walking.

#24 Southwest Michigan Wineries
The Southwest Michigan Wine Trail www.miwinetrail.com located in the “Lake Michigan Shore” Viticultural Area will be the focus of this tour. Many of these wineries are focused on winery sales to tourists and summer residents from Chicago. The tour begins at Karma Vista Vineyards near Coloma where Joe Herman is transitioning from tree fruit to high quality vinifera wines. The Karma Vista stop will include tours of the vineyards and tasting rooms. Lunch will be at Tabor Hill one of the oldest wineries in Berrien County. After touring the vineyards a catered lunch will be served at Tabor Hills restaurant overlooking the vineyards. The Round Barn Winery and Distillery is an older Michigan winery focused on French Hybrid grapes. This winery is now distilling brandies in an Amish round barn. The final stop will be Domiane Berrien, which focuses on handcrafted wines. Moderate walking.

#25 Innovative Forage Production For Dairy & Livestock
Join us for a look at diversified forage production and meet the researchers who set the new world record yield for dryland alfalfa. We’ll start the morning in Michigan’s dairy heartland at the Straub Dairy Farm, one of the national leaders in managed intensive grazing. Learn about a national cooperative of dairy grazers that opens each farm’s financial records to all members. Next we’ll travel to Tirrell’s Centennial Sheep Farm, where brassicas, including turnips and rape, allow the farm to extend the grazing season into February. Next we’ll take an ice cream break at Mooville Creamery, a family-operated dairy farm that produces tantalizing ice cream. MSU researchers will join us there to reveal research findings that can lead to higher alfalfa yields. We wrap up the day with the Haywood Dairy Farm that formed a cooperative venture with four other dairy farms to jointly own and operate their high capacity forage harvesting equipment. Moderate to heavy walking.

#26 Ornamental Nursery Production from the Test Tube to the Consumer
Western Michigan’s climate, soils and expertise combine for some of the best ornamental plant nurseries in the United States. This tour will take you to a specialized seedling nursery that sells conifer seedlings to the Christmas tree and ornamentals industries. Next, we’ll visit Spring Meadow Nursery to see how a propagation nursery has developed a strong branding effort to market new woody ornamentals. You’ll tour Veldeers Tulip Gardens, the only retail tulip farm and display gardens in Holland, Michigan. Lunch will include a stop by beautiful Lake Michigan. Then it’s on to Zelenka Nursery, one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the United States. You will see plant production from propagation to final shipment. The day’s final stop will be at Walters Gardens Inc., the largest perennial plant grower in the U.S., where you’ll see tissue-cultured liners to state-of-the-art greenhouse using biomass-boilers and large fields of blooming perennials. If you are interested in ornamental plants, this tour is for you. Moderate walking.

#27 Muskegon River Valley Diversity in Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Muskegon River Valley provides a natural resource base for great recreation, agriculture and lifestyle. On the banks of the broad Muskegon you will visit a new concept in recreational living, the River Ridge RV Resort. Then you’ll tour Storey Farms and see how young farmers can grow and prosper as contract livestock producers. Next, it’s on to Sackett Potatoes, 1997 EPA Stewardship Award winner, to learn how high-tech storage facilities can spread marketing from August thru early summer. Sacketts also grow peas for Gerber Baby Foods and seed corn for Pioneer Hybrid Inc. Over lunch you will learn more about the Muskegon River watershed and what is being done to protect this important resource. A walking tour of Nestlé Waters Ice Mountain water bottling plant will give you a close look at the economic impact of our water resource. We will also visit Sanctuary Ranch, Michigan’s premier whitetail deer hunting preserve, where you’ll hear about their nutritional program, and maybe even see a record rack. Moderate walking.

#28 Upland Vegetables and Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center
This tour begins at Mechanical Transplanter, a leader in vegetable transplanting equipment. Next we’ll head to High Acres Fruit Farm, growers of grape tomatoes and peppers. Then its lunch and a fruit and vegetable tour at MSU’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. The research and Extension conducted here reflect the diversity of southwest Michigan’s agricultural production. After lunch we’ll visit L.H. Piggott and Girls, growers of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables, where we’ll tour the packing shed and farm market; and Leitz Farms, where you’ll learn about tomato, cucumber, squash and melon production. We end the day with a walk along St. Joseph’s North Pier and lighthouse on beautiful Lake Michigan. Moderate walking.

#29 MSU Farms and Agricultural Security
Visit Michigan’s Emergency Operations Center and learn how it would function during a full-scale disaster. Next, you’ll tour MSU’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, a laboratory that was established in response to Michigan’s PBB contamination in the early 1970s. Today it is a Level III laboratory that is prepared to deal with avian influenza and other pandemic or exotic diseases. Next we’ll take a windshield tour of MSU’s farms, with narration on plant and animal research followed by lunch at the MSU Horticulture Farm. Then it’s off to Spartan Stadium, home of the Big 10 MSU Spartans, including a view from ground level – the way the players see it – to the top of the 10-story tower overlooking the stadium. The final stop will be a tour of the MSU Dairy Processing Facility, which is used for teaching, research, and processing. While there, participants will end their day with a must-have--a scoop of MSU Dairy Store ice cream. Moderate walking.

#30 Organic Agriculture Production and Marketing
Organic farming is a growing and diverse alternative for farm families. This tour will showcase organic farm operations and exciting MSU research and training programs. Our first stop will feature the organic apple and cherry research at MSU’s Clarksville Research Station. The next stop is the MSU Student Organic Farm. This facility provides hands-on student learning on a year-round community supported agriculture (CSA) operation. While there, you’ll learn about MSU’s new organic agriculture certificate program. Lunch will be served at Koenigsknecht Dairy and will feature a vast array of organic items from local producers. We will tour the 100-cow dairy and learn about their grazing system and organic milk marketing program. The final stop will be at Grahams Organic Farm near Rosebush. This 850-acre organic farm produces corn, soybeans, spelt, barley, turkeys, broilers, eggs and beef. They grind and mix organic feed for retail and operate an impressive livestock processing facility. Moderate walking.

#31 Sustainable Agriculture at Kellogg Biological Station
MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) is known for sustainable farming and ecological research. In 1997 the KBS Extension Land and Water Program began researching organic farming and established eight acres for OCIA-certified organic field crop production. You’ll learn about the program’s work to conduct farmer-driven research projects involving cover crops and organic farming. Much of this research focuses on non-chemical weed control (www.covercrops.msu.edu). You’ll also tour the National Science Foundation-supported Long-Term Ecological Research site, where research is driven toward understanding ecological interactions for annual and perennial field crops. You’ll enjoy lunch at KBS overlooking beautiful Gull Lake, followed by a sustainable agriculture farmer panel discussion of local agriculture. The day’s final stop will be at Gilmore Car Museum, which began in 1963, and has eight historic barns filled with vintage automobiles. Moderate walking. Required fee $5.

#32 Downtown Grand Rapids and the Grand River: beautiful solutions to water pollution
This downtown Grand Rapids excursion is a great opportunity to see how the city is encouraging the use of vegetated solutions to reduce water pollution. A combination walking and bus tour will visit East Hills neighborhood Center of the Universe – the city’s first zero-storm water discharge site. Located on a restored brownfield, this mixed-use building complex is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and constructed entirely of non-toxic and recycled materials. It incorporates a green roof, porous parking lot, rain gardens and other innovations in vegetated, on-site storm water management. All practices are designed to intercept, treat and infiltrate polluted urban runoff before it reaches the Grand River. The last stop is a two-hour luncheon cruise on the Grand Lady Riverboat. Experience the Grand River while learning about the importance of this historic Michigan waterway and ongoing efforts to protect it. This tour is sponsored by Michigan Lake and Stream Associations and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. Comfortable shoes are recommended for moderate walking with stairs. Required fee $13.

#33 Gardens and Historic Muskegon Homes ¾ day tour
Tour the former residences of Muskegon's most famous lumber barons, Charles H. Hackley and Thomas Hume, which feature lavish woodcarvings, outstanding stenciling, marvelous stained glass and period furnishings in the highest tradition of Victorian decorative arts. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places and was rated by AAA as "One of Michigan's best examples of Victorian Homes." A stop at the Muskegon Mercantile Museum Store offers custom items designed from the Hackley House. The famous Monet Garden in Giverny, France provided the inspiration to transform a vacant city lot into a picturesque pocket park called the Monet Garden of Muskegon. This park is maintained by Muskegon County Master Gardeners with support from the City of Muskegon and The Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Learn the story of how a local businesswoman and Master Gardener’s idea grew into a shared vision and commitment by the City of Muskegon. The return trip includes a stop at Swanson Pickle Company, a large pickling cucumber grower and processor. Moderate walking.

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