What’s In Season This Summer?
Summer is peak harvest time in Kent County! Local farms are bursting with fresh produce like cherries, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, blueberries, and the first apples of the season.
 Eating local and in-season means better taste, more nutrients, and support for the farmers who help keep our community thriving. You can check out what produce is ripe and available at a farmers' market near you by visiting the Michigan What’s In Season website.
Coming Together For Farmland Preservation
 Thank You, Kent County! We’re so grateful to everyone who braved the heat to support local farms during our Culver’s Share Night, at all 10 Kent County locations.
A big thank you to Culver’s and their amazing staff for donating 10% of sales to support our agricultural preservation programming! Thanks to their generosity, we raised over $3,500 to help preserve local farmland. These funds will support the County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program by helping cover closing costs, incurred during the preservation process, and expanding access to vital resources like farm succession planning for our agricultural community.
We also want to thank our dedicated volunteers, County Commissioners, Agricultural Preservation Board members, and partners who brought John Deere tractors to each site - what a hit! With over 13,000 acres of farmland lost in just five years, your support helps preserve the land that feeds us all.
Farmer Field Day: Learn, Network, And Explore Conservation In Action
 Join the Kent Conservation District (KCD) on Thursday, July 24 for a free, hands-on morning of conservation education at Frozen Creek Floral & Produce in Cannon Township. This event will feature complimentary coffee and baked goods, plus a range of topics tailored to farmers, landowners, and new producers interested in sustainable practices.
Attendees will:
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Learn about the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and how to achieve verification
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Explore Farm Bill resources available to new farmers and private landowners
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See a live demonstration of the KCD no-till drill in action and learn about rental options
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Discuss techniques for habitat restoration, site preparation, invasive species control, and planting
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Network with conservation staff and partners from across the region
This event qualifies for MAEAP Phase 1 educational credits and RUP credits. Rain or shine - please dress for the weather!
Frozen Creek Floral & Produce
5959 Cannonsburg Rd. NE, Belmont, MI 49306
Thursday, July 24 | 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more information about this event, call 616-222-5841 or email Michael Ewing.
Explore The Michigan Beekeeping Webinar Series
Join MSU Extension’s free monthly beekeeping webinars - a casual, Q&A-style series where Michigan beekeepers can get seasonal advice from the MSU Apiculture Team.
Upcoming Dates:
- August 4
- September 1
- October 6
All sessions run from 7 to 8 p.m.
Topics include: colony inspections, honey harvest, varroa control, and more. Great for new and experienced beekeepers alike! Register here for the series of webinars.
For more information about webinars in this series, email Meghan Milbrath. To explore additional webinars and resources, visit the MSU Extension website.
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Celebrate Summer At The Kent County North Community Fest - August 14
Join us for a first-ever, festive, family-friendly summer celebration at the Kent County North Campus in Cedar Springs on Thursday, August 14, from 3 to 7 p.m. All are welcome, and admission is free!
This special community festival will be packed with fun for all ages, including food trucks, free ice cream, and a variety of kids’ activities like face painting, glitter tattoos, and balloon animals. You’ll also have the chance to explore big trucks on display - from fire engines to road equipment—and enjoy an afternoon of excitement and connection.
With back-to-school right around the corner, we’ll be giving away free backpacks for kids in grades K–12, while supplies last.
Plus, you’ll have the chance to connect with your County. More than 15 departments and services will host meet-and-greet tables, giving residents a chance to learn more, ask questions, and access helpful resources - all in one place.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit handlers will present live demonstrations, and the Mounted Unit will be on hand for meet-and-greets with their horses.
RSVP to our Facebook event, then come out and enjoy an afternoon of connection, community, and summer fun - we’d love to see you there!
The Kent County North Campus is located at 4191 17 Mile Road NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Free, onsite parking will be available.
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Curious About Farmland Preservation In Kent County?
 The Kent County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program is a voluntary farmland preservation initiative that has permanently protected just over 3,000 acres. The program compensates landowners who choose to place a permanent deed restriction on their property, ensuring it remains in agricultural use. Landowners receive payment based on the difference between the land’s market value for development and its value as farmland, determined by independent appraisers. Each agreement is negotiated individually, and the land remains privately owned - able to be sold or passed down, but always protected for farming. In upcoming newsletters, we’ll be highlighting local farms that have been preserved through the PDR Program and the families behind them.
For more information about the program, visit our website.
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