Cass County farmers/residents don’t miss this opportunity to rid your barn/shed of unwanted or no longer usable pesticides.

Berrien County provides the important service of collecting unused and unwanted old pesticides to eliminate the potential danger to groundwater quality, and environmental and human health if they spill or are improperly disposed. This service is available to qualified applicants, including Michigan pesticide retailers.

Here is the 2020 schedule for this event – please make an appointment today for July 29 collection and get your barn/shed cleaned out of these high risk materials. 2020 Clean Sweep Collection.

The two dates in Berrien County are June 24 and July 29 – for more information contact Jill Adams at 269-983-7111 x 8234 or the Kalamazoo Clean Sweep Program at 269-373-5211.

Former employee (CISMA grant educator), and vital volunteer Bill Westrate appeared recently in the Bridge Magazine in an article with shedding light on his concerns of the insect population decline.

We are thankful for citizen science efforts such as his and if you are interesting in learning more or in getting involved with efforts such as his please feel free to contact us at 269-445-8641 x 5

See the full article here: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/whats-happening-michigans-insects-farmers-tale

The Cass County Conservation District Regular Board meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 8:30am will be held virtually through Zoom.

For details contact Korie Blyveis at 269-445-8641 x 5 or see public notice here.

The May 13, 2020 Cass County Conservation District Board Meeting will be held by teleconferencing using Zoom.

Cass County Conservation District

PUBLIC NOTICE

Virtual Meeting Notice

The Cass County Conservation District Board will hold the Regular Board Meeting scheduled on

 Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 8:30 am

by teleconferencing using Zoom instead of in the USDA Service Center:

The special virtual means of conducting the meeting is due to grave concerns over the coronavirus and resulting COVID-19 disease, the social distancing ordered by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and in compliance with Executive Order 2020-77.

The meeting is open to the public in compliance with the
Michigan Open Meetings Act. Any member of the public who wishes to hear the meeting and speak during public comment times may do so by following the link below and signing in with meeting ID and password. If you have troubles accessing this or need special accommodations please contact Korie Blyveis at 269-506-8334 or email [email protected] before meeting to discuss alternate options and to receive a meeting agenda.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9364376130?pwd=VGhkODZ2L3QrSGhxMWI0TUxJRVBLdz09

 Meeting ID: 936 437 6130 Password: Healthy

For more information contact

Korie Blyveis, District Administrator at 269-445-8641 x 5.

Cass County Conservation District will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services upon request.

 This notice was posted by Korie Blyveis to comply with Sections 4 and 5 of Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.265) at 6:30pm on May 11, 2020 on the District Office door and website which is at least 18 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

The April 8, 2020 Cass County Conservation District Board Meeting will be held by teleconferencing using Zoom.

Please click here for the Public Notice and important information.

To Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/703917472?pwd=eFBGUkxkb0NjM2NUMTFqbnVkYmxOQT09

Meeting ID: 703 917 472 Password: 013768

As of April 2 notification from MDARD we will not be able to hold our Tree Sale as planned.

More information as to the status of the sale – whether it will be postponed or cancelled we bill made and shared with you after our District Board receives more information regarding State of Michigan directives in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Please be patient, stay at home, stay at least 6′ from others if you do go out. These are difficult times but we are from Michigan – we can do this.

Due to the current Corona virus pandemic the Cass County Conservation District will have significant changes in their tree sale plans.

Trees orders were due April 3 for the planned April 16-18, 2020 annual sale. We will have the sale however, due the Governor’s directive and concern for the health and safety of our staff and volunteers we will not have any in-person sales. Therefore an extension for orders will be offered. Also, all orders will be delivered instead of our normal pick-up with a few exceptions where appointments for pick-up will be necessary for customers outside of the County. Deliveries may extend into the next week or longer as needed. 

It is our understanding Conservation Districts are allowed to continue much of our important service to the community under the definition of “critical infrastructure workers” in the “food and agriculture” industry. The exemption under forestry products allows for conservation districts to hold tree sales, as long as strict social distancing practices are employed and adhered to. We have decided to further reduce risk by delivering the orders. It is important to us to provide farms and other landowners with forest products for windrows, lumber, firewood as well as trees, shrubs and plants that are important pollinator sources, wildlife habitat and great food for both humans and wildlife. 

Please look at our website: www.cassccdistrict.org for a list of any “leftover” trees that would be available for sale. Orders can continue to be placed as stock is available. Call the Cass County Conservation District Office at 269-445-8641 x 5 or Korie Blyveis at 269-506-8334. Please leave a clear message and someone will return your call so you may place your order over the phone. Payment can be made by credit card with a 3% surcharge added or a check can be mailed to our office. There will be no additional fee for delivery but, since this is a critical fundraiser for the District donations to offset the additional expense are encouraged. 

It is our mission to protect and enhance Cass County’s natural resources – planting trees is important to agriculture and can be a fun family project plus is a critical measure as our nation addresses climate change. Please be patient and understanding. Other changes may be necessary depending on future State directives and advisements. 

The Cass County Conservation District Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 8:30am

Please click here to view full notice

The Cass County Conservation District will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8:30 am.

Click here for meeting schedule.

The Conservation Board will hold a special meeting/budget workshop on Monday, August 26 at 5:30pm at Nelson’s Herb Garden. See this notice for details.