For Friday, Jan. 26, 2018

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1 – Rolling a cart is easier than carrying bins to the curb. Up to $500,000 is available to local governments in Michigan for grants to fund curbside recycling carts.

The state Department of Environmental Quality notes that the Michigan is trying to double its recycling rate from 15 to 30 percent.

A proven method for increasing recycling is making sure that it’s convenient for residents.

Too often, it’s not convenient in communities and recyclable materials don’t make it from the curb and into new products that can be made in Michigan.

Applications for recycling cart funding for fiscal year 2018 are due by March 9.

For more information, see michigan.gov/MIrecycles.

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2 – A Linwood man is the first recipient of an Oscar for farming.

The awards program is being put on by The Nature Conservancy.

JJ Metz of Crop Production Services in Linwood received a special advance award at the Michigan Agri-Business Association’s Winter Conference and Trade Show.

It’s the first in a series of awards from the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy that will be presented on March 1 in Bay City, the same month as the Academy Awards. The local awards will recognize Saginaw Bay area farmers, agribusinesses and conservation professionals.

The Nature Conservancy, which took nominations for the awards, says Metz was instrumental in helping landowners in the Kawkawlin River watershed enroll in conservation program to implement more than 3,800 new acres of cover crops.

These new practices will reduce soil loss by more than 580 tons and help protect and improve water quality in the Saginaw Bay watershed.

– 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