For Friday, Dec. 1, 2017

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1- The Oscars of farming is coming to Saginaw Bay.

The awards program is being organized by The Nature Conservancy to recognize Saginaw Bay area farmers, agribusinesses and conservation professionals that have made significant contributions to agricultural conservation in the watershed.

Nominations are now open for the awards, in categories from Conservation Innovation to Veteran and Newcomer. The Conservancy wants to shine a spotlight on exemplary work to improve agricultural practices for people and nature.

The organization has been working with farmers and others in the area for the past few years to test innovative conservation program aimed at reducing sediment runoff in the watershed.

The inaugural awards dinner is planned for March in Bay City, the same month as the Academy Awards.

Farm award winners will be selected by a committee that includes representatives from the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Bureau, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Department of Agricultural and Rural Development and Delta Institute.

To make a nomination or to learn more, go online to nature.org/sagbayawards.

 

2 – Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.

The state is auctioning off surplus land starting Dec. 12.

The sale is by sealed bid, and runs from Dec. 12 through Jan. 10. There are 80 parcels in counties including Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, Midland, Oscoda and Roscommon.

Properties range in size from less than an acre to 146 acres. Several are forested and have riverside or lake frontage.

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources say the lands for sale are isolated from other DNR-managed public land, difficult to manage and provide limited public outdoor recreation benefits.

More Information on the auction is available at www.michigan.gov/landforsale.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 9:30 a.m. Fridays in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR. Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes