Pulling weeds is therapeutic for me. Most evenings after work, you’ll find me in my backyard, one eye on my toddler and two hands in my garden, carefully picking out what doesn’t belong amongst my tomatoes, peppers and herbs.
I’m still a relative newbie to agriculture, so while I recognized that weeds are a nuisance to Michigan farmers, I had NO idea the devastating effect they can have on a farmer’s bottom line. Luckily, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension weed specialist Wes Everman was willing to explain it to me (and you, thanks to YouTube) at the 2009 MSU Weed Tour.
The Weed Tour is an annual event put on by the MSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and their weed scientists. Farmers, consultants and commodity group representatives pored over the hefty handout, comparing the cost and effectiveness of one weed treatment over another in picturesque rows of soybeans and corn.
It was yet another moment when I felt like one small part of the bigger Michigan agriculture industry, the state’s second-largest. Surrounded by farmers and the people who keep our food system going from field to fork made me pretty proud of the part I play.
So I’ll happily keep up my weed therapy in my little slice of Michigan farming and leave the tough decisions to Michigan farmers. My adorable little strip of veggies makes me proud, but I’m glad someone else will be growing the rest of my meals.
