The Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station will conduct mainly tree fruit and asparagus research on 68 acres of farmland near Hart, Michigan. (Courtesy Michigan State University)
The Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station will conduct mainly tree fruit and asparagus research on 68 acres of farmland near Hart, Michigan. (Courtesy Michigan State University)

For the first time in more than three decades, Michigan State University has built a research station from the ground up. 

The recently completed Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station will conduct mainly tree fruit and asparagus research on 68 acres of farmland near Hart, Michigan, with the goal of better understanding the soil and microclimate specific to the West-central Michigan growing region, which includes Oceana, Mason and Newaygo counties, according to an MSU news release.

West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, a nonprofit grower-driven group, raised $1.5 million to help establish and support the station. Other stakeholders include local fruit processor Peterson Farms and the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, according to the release. 

The station will also serve as a gathering spot for community events and social functions. For more information, visit westmichiganresearchstation.org.

by Matt Milkovich