October brings the start of fall and a season full of celebration for Michigan agriculture. Itâs Michigan Agritourism Month, Michigan Apple Month, and Michigan Farm to School Month - a perfect trio of reasons to get outside and support the farmers, orchards, and local food systems that shape our community.
đ Did you know? West Michiganâs Fruit Ridge - affectionately known as âThe Ridgeâ - is one of the most productive fruitâgrowing regions in the world, producing more than 60% of Michiganâs apples. With about 66% of The Ridge located here in Kent County, apple production remains a cornerstone of our local agricultural economy and heritage. Check out local farms, markets, and events in the 2026 County Market Guide.
As you explore pumpkin patches, visit U-pick orchards, or enjoy fresh Michigan apples, you can also take in the vibrant colors of the season. This year, the Kent County Road Commission and our Parks Department have teamed up once again to offer a Fall Color Tour, making it easy to take in some of the best autumn scenery our county has to offer. This year you can follow the route using a new interactive tour guide, or download and print a PDF version to bring along for the drive.
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Get Ready to Crunch and Celebrate Michigan Apples!
Itâs time to take a big, juicy bite out of fall - the Michigan Apple Crunch is almost here! Join MSU Extension and communities across the state in celebrating Michigan-grown apples and supporting our local farmers.
Every October, schools, early childcare centers, businesses, and families come together to crunch into fresh, local apples at the same time. Itâs a fun, healthy, and delicious way to highlight Michiganâs rich agricultural heritage and promote farm-to-school efforts.
How to Join the Apple Crunch:
- Pick a day in October to crunch with your group. October 15th 2026 is the official Crunch date, but your Crunch is welcomed any time.
- Register your crunch to be counted in the statewide celebration.
- Share your crunchy moments on social media using #MIAppleCrunch!
Letâs show our love for Michigan apples - one bite at a time. Check out the newly updated Crunch Guide for ideas! đ
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New Tool Connects Landowners And Hunters
A new tool to help address Michiganâs deer population is coming to Kent County. Deer Connection is an online platform designed to connect eligible large property owners with hunters, creating more opportunities for safe, legal and responsible deer management on private land. The pilot also helps connect hunters and landowners with organizations seeking donated venison.
Our pilot program supports recommendations from the Kent County Deer Management Coalitionâs Grand Valley State University study and is supported by the Kent County Deer Management Coalition, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and National Deer Association.
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Learn more about the Deer Management Coalition. For general questions or requests for assistance, email the Dear Management team.Â
âFarm to Stayâ Grant Program Launched to Promote Farmer-Led Tourism
American Farmland Trust (AFT) is partnering with Airbnb to launch the âFarm to Stayâ Grant Program, offering farmers and ranchers grants of up to $10,000 to start or expand agritourism stays and experiences - from farm stays and apple picking to wine tastings and farm-to-table dinners. With demand for farm stays growing and farming families facing continued economic pressures, agritourism can provide an important additional source of farm income while connecting more people to agriculture.
Airbnb and AFT staff will be hosting webinars for farmers and ranchers interested in the grant program or learning more about agritourism opportunities. Register by clicking either date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. ET and Friday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. ET.
Applications will open in November and will be reviewed in the order received, so applying early is encouraged. The program will accept approximately 350 applications with only 25-30 grants being awarded. Farmers and ranchers can learn more and sign up for updates at farmland.org/farm-to-stay.
For general questions or requests for assistance, email the Brighter Future Fund.Â
Midwest Farm Conservation Survey
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input from agricultural producers who have participated in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or other Farm Bill programs. The USDA is aiming to better understand how to serve Midwest producers working to meet conservation goals.
To qualify for this survey, you must currently own and/or manage farmland in one of the following states: Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio. This voluntary survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and it's recommended to do the survey in one sitting and take it only once.Â
Your participation will make a huge difference for the Midwestâs leadership in agriculture. Your responses will not identify you individually as results will be aggregated and anonymized.
Pollinator Partnership (a 501c3 nonprofit) is conducting this survey under contract for the USDA. Please direct any questions about this survey to Jordan Phelps or Vicki Wojcik at Pollinator Partnership.
Recap: Tech + Ag in Action: Riveridgeâs AI-Enabled Apple Packing Tool
 We had a great time at Riveridge Packing during Tech Week Grand Rapids, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the technology helping move Michigan apples from the orchard to consumers.
During the tour, we learned about Riveridge's state-of-the-art cold and controlled-atmosphere storage and saw its pre-sizing grader in action. Using a sophisticated camera system, the grader captures color and infrared images of the fruit to help sort apples by color and identify external defects.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and to Riveridge for partnering with our Agricultural Preservation Program to showcase the important connection between technology and agriculture. We're especially grateful for the farmers, growers, and agricultural professionals whose hard work and innovation help keep this important industry thriving in our community.
Highlights from the Kent County Youth Fair
 In August, our County Commissioners, Administrator Al Vanderberg, local legislators and officials, and team members attended the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell. The event was full of energy and tradition, with animals, exhibits, handmade ice cream, live music, carnival rides, and a strong sense of community.
The fair is a longâstanding, communityâcentered tradition dedicated to fostering character and leadership in young people with an interest in agriculture. Each year, nearly 1,000 exhibitors and more than 40,000 visitors take part in handsâon events that build presentation skills, demonstrate dedication to agriculture, and highlight youth talent.
There was no shortage of activities to enjoy - from animal competitions and bingo to axe throwing, a rodeo, and line dancing. Our team was grateful for the opportunity to connect with families, exhibitors, and fair organizers.
A special thankâyou to the Kent County Youth Fair for hosting us and for their continued commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Honoring the Heart of Apple Country in Kent County
 Itâs clear that our agricultural story begins and ends with the land - and the communities who care for it. Our Fruit Ridge, highlighted earlier in this newsletter, remains one of the most remarkable examples of how geography, climate, and generational stewardship come together to support a thriving agricultural economy right here in Kent County.
If you're interested in learning more about what makes this region so uniquely suited for fruit production, News 8 Digitalâs feature, "The Fruit Ridge: West Michiganâs Perfect Plots for Farming," offers a deeper look at the factors that make this landscape so productive and the growers who help sustain it.
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