Conservation District farm tour is Sept. 7.

Conservation District farm tour is Sept. 7.

#MasonCountyAgriculture.

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason-Lake Conservation District will hold its fall farm tour on Thursday, Sept. 7. The annual tour showcases farms that have shown soil conservation and water stewardship over the past year. The bus tour begins at 5 p.m. from Farmview Resort, 6700 N. US 31, Grant Township. From there, it will visit three farms in Victory Township before returning to the resort for sloppy joes provided by a local grass-fed beef farmer.

“The event is an opportunity to highlight common-sense and cost-effective solutions to overcome potential on-farm liabilities to groundwater and surface water pollution,” said Jordan DeVries conservation district director. “Almost all farms have these risks in-common, whether they are events caused by nature or products that are necessary for financial stability on the farm. By participating in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance (MAEAP) Program and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share assistance program, farmers are able to find the right ‘fix’ that fits the size if their operation.”

The tour will include visits to Grabowski Farm, Couturier North Farm, and Egeler Beef Farm.

“The fall farm tour is our staff’s favorite event of the year because they get to work closely with the MAEAP-verified local farmers that generously open their farms to show people what they’ve been up-to. Our partners demonstrate water and soil protection far better than any slideshow presentations or handouts. This event not only recognizes their efforts, but also gives practical guidance from several experts on what can be done to contain spills, reduce field runoff and erosion and work with state and local agencies and neighbors to maintain our community’s healthy relationship with farming.”

Those interested in the tour may register by calling 231-757-3707, extension 5; deadline to RSVP is Friday, Sept. 1, there is a limit of 100.