By Andi Anderson
Twenty-five years ago, Project GREEEN embarked on a mission to bolster Michigan's plant agriculture economy, setting the stage for a groundbreaking tool that would revolutionize farming practices.
In collaboration with plant commodity organizations and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University (MSU) leaders and researchers identified the pressing need for real-time weather information to assist growers in making critical farming decisions regarding pest management, plant development, and natural resource conservation.
Directed by Jeff Andresen, a professor in the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and the state climatologist for Michigan, the initiative took shape as Enviroweather. Andresen's vision was inspired by visits to agricultural operations in Nebraska and Washington, where he gleaned insights on launching a sustainable weather monitoring program.
Key to Enviroweather's success was securing recurring funding support, a challenge overcome through the steadfast backing of Project GREEEN. The foresight and vision of Project GREEEN leaders proved instrumental in the program's development, enabling its growth from six initial stations to 93 sites across Michigan today.
Each Enviroweather site features a solar-powered tower that captures essential data on temperature, rainfall, humidity, soil conditions, and wind direction. This detailed, site-specific information is uploaded to the Enviroweather website, empowering growers with insights that aid in optimizing farming practices.
While Enviroweather collaborates with the National Weather Service to provide basic weather data, its strength lies in the granular measurements collected by its network of towers. By offering real-time, localized data, Enviroweather equips Michigan growers with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of modern agriculture and enhance productivity.
Through Project GREEEN's unwavering support, Enviroweather continues to serve as a cornerstone of innovation in Michigan's agricultural landscape, empowering growers with actionable insights for sustainable and resilient farming practices.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-tlillico
Categories: Michigan, Weather