By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University AgBioResearch, in partnership with the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS), has announced the launch of Enviroweather Mobile, a mobile application for MSU’s weather‑based information system that supports farmers and growers throughout Michigan.
Since 1996, Enviroweather has helped Michigan producers make informed decisions related to pest control, plant production, and natural resource management.
With funding support from Project GREEEN, Michigan’s plant agriculture collaboration housed at MSU and made up of MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Enviroweather stations are now located at 99 sites across Michigan.
These stations collect data on temperature, rainfall, humidity, dew point, wind direction, soil conditions, and more across the state’s diverse agricultural regions.
Until now, however, this information could only be reliably accessed through a desktop computer using a web browser.
Enviroweather Mobile changes that by allowing producers to easily access real‑time data while working in the field.
“Farmers and growers are at the heart of everything MSU AgBioResearch does,” said George Smith, director of MSU AgBioResearch. “Since its creation, Enviroweather has been a game‑changing tool to assist in the needs of our state’s producers. The deployment of Enviroweather Mobile represents our team’s dedication to always looking at what can be improved. I couldn’t be more excited for how this resource will further support the people who are helping put food on our tables.”
In addition to weather data, Enviroweather provides decision‑support models to help control pests and pathogens, including fire blight in apples, cherry leaf spot, and seedcorn maggots that threaten crops such as corn, soybeans, and cucurbits.
“Farmers are on the go more than ever,” said Ben Smith, executive director of the Michigan State Horticultural Society. “Quick access to updated weather information, as well as pest and disease models, is critical to making good decisions. Enviroweather Mobile will allow growers easy and complete access to the power of Enviroweather wherever they can find a cell phone signal. Better decisions around weather and pest and disease control will lead to more efficient and successful farms.”
The development of Enviroweather Mobile was made possible through funding from Project GREEEN and MDARD’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The app’s design was led by the MSU AgBioResearch Research Evaluation and Data Analytics team, under the leadership of graduate student Dao Chi Lam.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education