CHATHAM, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan State University Extension Farm in Alger County has reached an important age milestone.
The Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (UPREC) in Chatham celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday. To celebrate, the farm hosted a free open house for the public. Director James DeDecker said during the open house, he and his staff educated the public on what goes on at the farm. He said the celebration kicked off with a demonstration of farm vehicles.
“We’ll be bringing some of the equipment you see behind me, and people will also tour our agronomy lab and learn about the work we do, particularly in seed genetics and grain quality, and there’s a station showcasing some of our hemp research,” DeDecker said. “There’s also an opportunity to walk through the barn and look at some of the cattle we have in the barn.”
DeDecker said his staff served a lunch of farm produce during the event. He also said they gave tours of the north and south farms. The director said he had everyone fill out the farm’s new strategic planning survey.
“This will inform our business over the next five to 10 years and beyond, and we look forward to those discussions as well,” DeDecker said.
DeDecker also said the growing operation is extremely beneficial to local communities for several reasons, as farming is a common career path for some people in Upper Michigan.
“Agriculture has been a foundation of the economy here in UP for at least 125 years, if not much longer, and of course agriculture here in UP is unique and unlike any other place in Michigan or across the country,” DeDecker said. “That’s why our work here has been so important to help farmers make the most of the conditions they have.”
All the staff said they wanted to thank everyone in the community who came.
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