Are you a farmer, agritourism business, nursery/greenhouse, or local food or drink producer/business? Join the Food, Farm, & Fun Guide (the Guide)! We proudly promote our local economy, local farms, and businesses by promoting folks like you. The Guide reaches thousands online and in-person throughout Van Buren County and Southwest Michigan. Advertising is priced at a variety of levels so all can afford to participate. Discounts are available. Try us out for a year; first-time advertisers in Van Buren County receive a free quarter-page ad or credit to a larger ad. View and learn more about the Food, Farm, &

Help Monitor our Water’s Health! Another year of macroinvertebrate stream monitoring is coming up on October 6th! What is the Macroinvertebrate Stream Monitoring? With volunteers and staff, we enter waterways to collect macroinvertebrates (bugs and the like) to monitor our water’s health. It is a fun experience! Who knew wearing waders and getting in nature was so cool? You don’t have to get into the water or have any experience. Just dress for the weather and be prepared to walk in forested terrain. Registration is required. There are three ways to help: a “Collector” and wear waders to go into

Join us with our partners, Van Buren District Library and Two Rivers Coalition, for our Upper Jeptha Lake Paddle event! Bring your watercraft down and join us for a fun evening on the water! Alex Florian, SWxSW Corner CISMA Coordinator, will guide the group through the nature around the lake. Ask questions, learn interesting facts, and enjoy the scenery! Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Upper Jeptha Lake | 47001 CR 380, Bloomingdale, MI 49026 Registration is required and minors need a guardian present during the event. Please register by Monday, August 26, 2024. Paddling

Come volunteer with the Van Buren Conservation District and the Two Rivers Coalition for the Paw Paw River Clean Up! Trash in our rivers is more than just an eyesore; it contaminates our drinking water and hurts our environment. Pollution in rivers negatively impacts plants, wildlife, drinking water quality, scenic beauty, and recreational value. Come join us in cleaning up our community and protecting our environment! After last year’s successful river cleanup in Paw Paw, we are moving downstream to Lawrence and potentially Hartford with enough volunteer sign-ups. We will get in our watercraft and clean trash and debris out

Join us for our Grazing Workshop, an educational event for local farmers, on 19 September 2024 from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM. We will be at the Farm Research Co-op (14530 CR 665 Bloomingdale, MI 49026). Topics will include pasture parasite management, pasture pigs, rabbit and chicken tractors, local and federal resources, and more. Registration and refreshments will be available starting at 8:30 AM. This event is free and RSVP is required. For more information, contact Conservation Technician Gabriel Francisco at 269-657-4030 x5 or email Conservation_Tech@VanBurenCD.org RSVP Here!