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In a press release submitted by the Michigan Farm Bureau, the MFB is now asking members and supporters to tell legislators and the state agriculture department that we need their help telling Gov. Whitmer to clarify plant sales are essential agriculture! Act now by texting the phrase MIGREEN to the number 52886 or visiting  https://bit.ly/sayyestoplantsales.

Unfortunately, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s EO 2020-42 announced Thursday not only extended the previous order, but actually expanded previous restrictions, explicitly prohibiting plant sales.

Under a new section of the EO, Whitmer imposed additional restrictions, “Large stores must also close areas of the store that are dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint.”

Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is stepping up its efforts, encouraging members and supporters to contact their state representatives, senators, and department of agriculture, urging them to tell Whitmer to issue a clarification to include the retail sale of plants as essential infrastructure, according to MFB President Carl Bednarski.

“Gov. Whitmer’s insistence for continued and expanded restrictions on plant sales runs counter to similar EOs in countless other states, including Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and most recently, nearby Ohio where retail sales of plants are deemed essential agriculture,” Bednarski said.

MFB is now asking members and supporters to tell legislators and the state agriculture department that greenhouse growers need their help in telling Gov. Whitmer to clarify plant sales are essential agriculture! Members and consumers can act now by texting the phrase MIGREEN to the number 52886 or visiting  https://bit.ly/sayyestoplantsales.

Bednarski said the heightened restrictions within the new EO will devastate an important sector of Michigan agriculture that generates annual sales of $580 million to $700 million in retail sales, and employs more than 9,000 workers.

“If these farms and garden centers miss their primary opportunity to sell nursery stock, flowers and vegetable plants to consumers who are requesting it, growers and their employees could face an entire year without income,” he said.

The new focus toward the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is expected to help build awareness of the industry’s concerns.

MFB had launched a similar effort in the days leading up to Whitmer’s extended EO, which generated more than 26,000 messages from farmers and consumers.

In nearby Ohio, which just extended a similar stay-at-home EO on April 2, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the new order specifically included a “Clarification that retail garden centers can remain open but should determine and enforce a reduced capacity to keep customers and employees safe.”

Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council (MGGC) Executive Director Goeff Hansen said the industry is concerned about how the new EO will affect Michigan growers, currently the third-largest production greenhouse industry in the nation.

“The governor’s EO has already had a devastating effect on the Easter plant sales and now there is concern that people will not be able to plant their gardens to be self-sufficient and take pressure off of the retail produce market,” he said.

According to Hansen, MGGC members’ phones are “ringing off the hook” with people wanting to work in their vegetable gardens and getting ready for the growing season. MGGC has been advocating for curbside pickup and delivery options available to the garden centers through MDARD, which unfortunately appears to have fallen on deaf ears. According to Hansen, MGGC never received a response from MDARD Director Gary McDowell or anyone else within the Whitmer administration to a March 25, two-page letter formally requesting plant sales be allowed.

MGGC had, at the request of McDowell, submitted the letter outlining specific procedures from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health authorities that would be followed by growers and retail garden centers, if plant sales were allowed.

“Many of the products carried by garden retailers are agricultural, like seeds and edible plants. Others are necessary tools and supplies,” MGGC wrote. “Together they are essential to maintaining a healthy living environment. In many communities, the garden retailer may be the only outlet where consumers have access to essential supplies for growing, gardening, maintaining or repairing their residences.”

MGGC’s letter to McDowell also noted that New York, one of the hardest-hit state’s in the COVID-19 crisis, specifically spelled out that the care and sales of plants are essential, noting:

“Horticultural Operations: For purposes of Executive Order 202.6/PAUSE Executive Order, “Essential Production, movement, maintenance, and sale of vegetable plants, nursery stock, trees, plants, and flowers at greenhouse and nursery operations. • Tree and shrub trimming and removal for disease, safety, and public health purposes. • The placement and ground maintenance of sod, landscaping plants, flowers, ornamentals, and trees on residential and commercial grounds. • Transportation necessary to meet any of the above functions.

“Because of these considerations, the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council urges the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider garden retailers among those operations determined to be ‘essential’ retail outlets that can exercise the option to remain open to support their communities during these trying times,” MGGC wrote.

If you’d like to take action, Michigan Farm Bureau is asking members and supporters to tell legislators and the state agriculture department that we need their help telling Gov. Whitmer to clarify plant sales are essential agriculture! Act now by texting the phrase MIGREEN to the number 52886 or visiting https://bit.ly/sayyestoplantsales.

Submitted by the Michigan Farm Bureau

Though it likely won’t last long, it is a welcome relief to see the death rate from COVID-19 stay the same in our counties for two consecutive days. However, the death rate in the State of Michigan is continuing to climb, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan indefinitely starting on April 10, 2020 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 10th at 4:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 22,783 confirmed cases; 1,281 deaths
• St. Clair County: 184 confirmed cases; 4 county resident deaths (There was also 1 death in a county hospital of an out-of-county resident)
• Ontario: 6,237 confirmed cases; 222 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 105 confirmed cases; 9 deaths

The St. Clair County Health Department is reporting that testing capacity is improving in the county. Hospitals are increasing the number of tests conducted and the process is becoming more efficient. They say that “improvements are continuous and better data collection methods are anticipated in the future.”

The health department is replacing their daily media releases with weekly updates, so we will respond accordingly. WGRT will continue to report updates as we receive them on various aspects of the pandemic.

Please continue to reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control:  cdc.gov/coronavirus
• State of Michigan: Michigan.gov/coronavirus  or Info Hotline  1-888-535-6136 Daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov
• St. Clair County Health Department: COVID-19 Info Hotline (810) 966-4163 Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org
• St. Clair County Community Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line (810) 985-8900, available Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Lambton Public Health: https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus/
• City of Sarnia COVID-19 Hotline: 1-877-4-SARNIA (1-877-472-7642)

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Rep. Shane Hernandez of Port Huron – chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee – today issued a statement on Gov. Whitmer’s extended and expanded ‘stay home’ order related to COVID-19. The governor’s order places more restrictions on stores and other jobs while extending the ‘stay-at-home’ order through April 30:

“Our primary mission continues to be doing all we can to save lives and protect the health of Michigan residents and their families. But the governor does not seem to understand we can continue that mission and also take steps so struggling Michigan families can stay afloat financially during this difficult time.

“We are several weeks into this crisis and still don’t have some of the critical health-related information needed to make the best decisions about where resources should go. We have not heard her plan to get Michigan back to work and lead us to brighter days. Even if the governor doesn’t believe now is the time, the people deserve to know there is a plan to restart our economy. There has been no message of hope from the governor. It’s more and more restrictions – no solutions.

“The governor’s new order will force even more people who could continue to work safely into unemployment –making it harder to feed their families, pay their bills and come out of this crisis afloat. And when they try to file for the unemployment benefits they need, they are met with a failing system – a website that doesn’t work and dropped calls, adding to the frustration.

“While extending this ‘stay home’ order, the governor missed an opportunity to follow federal guidelines that would allow more people to return to work while practicing safe habits. Other states have successfully done this and still have lower COVID-19 prevalence than Michigan. Gov. Whitmer instead moved in the opposite direction with work rules. Rather than figuring out a way to allow small, stand-alone greenhouses to operate, for example, she’s instead shutting down more operations in larger stores. When we are considering who should be allowed to work right now, we should start by looking at what is safe versus unsafe – rather than a confusing debate about what is essential or non-essential. Every job is essential when it means feeding a family and keeping a roof overhead.”

“People are frustrated and fed up. They want solutions that will lessen the spread of COVID-19 and also work toward a return to some sense of normalcy. We need to help people get back on their feet now – before it’s too late. The governor needs to step up.”

Submitted by Tim Martin

Sandcastle lovers will have to wait until August of 2021 to enjoy Blue Water SandFest. The event, organized by The Friends of the Ft. Gratiot Light, serves as a fundraiser to support the restoration of buildings and grounds at the Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park.

David Brooks, Chairman of the Friends of the Fort
Gratiot Light, said, “Although a lot of planning has been done, and some funds have been raised through
sponsorships, the majority of available sponsorship money in the community will and should be directed
towards local and national relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to bringing the
event back next year bigger and better than ever.”

The family-friendly event that features Master, Advanced Amateur, and Amateur sand sculptors, and brings in visitors from around the world to compete for the Michigan State Championship of sand sculpting, is scheduled for August 6-8th of 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) President Carl Bednarski sent a formal request to Governor Whitmer on April 3rd to “ask for a reconsideration of retail garden centers to be included as essential infrastructure workers.” The original Stay Home, Stay Safe order deemed retail garden centers as non-essential though much of the food and agriculture sector was considered essential.

Retail garden centers and greenhouses around the state are brimming with stock including vegetable plants, and they are ready to begin selling them to customers. MFB’s horticulture specialist, Audrey Sebolt, said, “For many growers, if they’re not allowed to sell the plants already growing in greenhouses, it will mean a complete loss and an entire year without income for both the owners and their employees.” Ohio’s Governor, Mike DeWine, designated retail garden centers as essential on April 2nd.

Luke Marion, owner of MIgardener in Port Huron, agrees that retail garden centers should be considered essential. He is also a proponent of gardening from seed as much as possible. The biggest benefit of planting from seed is the cost. “Two to three plants from a garden center will cost $7 – $8,” said Marion. “You can purchase around 400 seeds for that price.” You can plant seeds in Michigan up to Labor Day, so there is still time to do some research and plan for a backyard garden. When asked about the easiest seeds to start with, Marion suggested, “Lettuce, spinach, and leafy greens are great! You can harvest them sooner, they are nutrient-dense, and they are more forgiving of soil deficiencies.”

Farm Bureau is asking members and agricultural stakeholders to contact Gov. Whitmer, urging her to issue a clarification to include the retail sale of plants as essential infrastructure. To contribute, click <HERE>

To learn more about starting a backyard gardening from MIgardener, click <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Several inmates at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center have tested positive for the Coronavirus. As of today, a total of 6 inmates have tested positive and have been isolated from the general population in the facility.

Sheriff Tim Donnellon said, “We continue to monitor inmates and staff for Coronavirus symptoms per the guidelines laid out by the CDC and the St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center. Unfortunately, no location is immune from this virus. Our medical staff, which is on hand 24/7, will continue to work to ensure the safety of our employees and inmates.”

As of today, none of those infected have needed hospitalization. Updates on the number of infected inmates will be provided in a press release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office every Thursday until further notice.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand