Cherries of Change: Adaptation by Michigan Farmers

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How to start a show about climate change impacts in our own backyard? Of course, with Ann Arbor native Shigeto's mesmerizing tune "Huron River Drive" which conjures that ribbon of road along the banks up to the "just like up north" towns of Dexter, Pinckney, Hamburg and Whitmore Lake.
Just like the Huron River landscape, this team is not new to the trees in agroecological systems. We revisited an interview with University of Toronto Professor and Canada Research Chair, Dr. Marney Isaac, which originally aired this January, in which she explains to Sam Molnar (and both Beccas) how trees anchor stable ecologies, thus creating more predictable production quotas for farmers.
Beyond that, they can be like a "pension plan" for farmers, storing carbon in their roots, in addition to generating income from fruit. These economic and ecological principles link the landscapes of cherry growers in Michigan with those we have discussed in other areas in this series on climate (like small island nations or European settings—even Africa!) Ella's dulcet vocals on her classic “Heat Wave" keep it hot, reminding us that in spite of the best efforts of trees worldwide, we are facing of more and more volatile climate extremes. At the time of this writing November temperatures in our area are climbing toward seventy degrees…heat wave indeed!
Not to be out shined by the incredible jazz music, our hosts spice up the conversation by bringing in cherry expert Jim Nugent to assess the climate adaptations occurring in northern Michigan. Retired as District Horticultural Agent, MSU Extension and Coordinator of the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station, Jim has served as a leader in statewide cherry
Jim brings along
Not that demand for cherries is decreasing. Researchers have found that tart cherries help with sleep, muscle recovery, and gout. These are three of the current known benefits of the fruit, but more and more research is being done to asses the positive benefits of cherries. To meet this rising demand many other countries are increasing their cherry production. With these players comes a stronger global market, and if volatile events continue to threaten Michigan's productivity, how will the economy rebound? An anthem for an integrated economy, “Landsailor” by Vienna Teng, stands in tribute to the power and damage that comes from globalization and technological change. This video finds her musing on grad school in a joint program at SNRE and the Ross School at UM, before delivering to an audience in Singapore her lyrics about “a storm outside your door.” Lucky Detroit, Michigan is now her Mission Control, and those of us who miss her on campus are glad she has not gone far.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AWWnkD_xrc[/embed]
Closing conversations between Dr. Fischer, her students in studio, and her colleagues from cherry producing communities showcase the power of experiential learning for creating better connections and resources for collaboration. We may not be able to control the weather (ask Ann Arbor native Mayer Hawthorne, below, about that!), but we can work faster and better together to understand and respond to it.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYHYAwvdHzY[/embed]
While production has been decreasing and the stakes have never been higher, there are still plenty of cherry jams to go around. The last song on the turntables is the wonderful Neil Diamond’s Cherry Cherry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvXCYqd8AAs&feature=youtu.be&t=20
Thanks for tuning in to the third and final part of the Climate Change series.
We are so in love with trilogies we are going to start another one next week: on alcohol. That's right, Friday November 6 we'll start with breweries in our area, then move to wine the following Friday and end up with the hard stuff for the Thanksgiving holidays. Join us, and learn who is making liquor in the Mitten, and how. Til next Friday at noon, keep it hot!