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Houghton\Keweenaw Counties    
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Houghton\Keweenaw County Extension
1500 Birch Street
Hancock, Michigan
49930-1062
United States

Email Address: msue31@msu.edu
Phone: 906-482-5830
Fax: 877-326-8120
 
Sites of Interest/WATER QUALIT

 IMPORTANT SITES AND CURRENT TOPICS OF INTEREST

MSU Extension Main Campus Portal - http://www.msue.msu.edu

4-H Project Bulletins - http://www.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/guide4h/#Publications

MSU "Ask An Expert" (FREE):  http://expert.msue.msu.edu/

On Line GARDENING Resources:  http://mg.msue.msu.edu/mg/on_line_resources


Pesticide Ed/Certification - http://www.pested.msu.edu/
Asian Ladybugs - http://www.ipm.msu.edu/asianladybeetle.htm
Emerald Ash Borer - http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
Turf Fact Sheets - http://turf.msu.edu
Weed Facts - www.msuturfweeds.net
USDA Plant Database - plants.usda.gov/
WATER QUALITY/HOUSEHOLDHAZARDOUS WASTE INFORMATION - www.portal.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=273208&page_id=106067&msue_portal_id=25643

  Local Sites:

County of Houghton - http://www.houghtoncounty.net

Copper Country Info (quite extensive) - http://www.coppercountry.com
Copper Harbor Info - http://www.copperharbor.org
Houghton County Airport - http://www.houghtoncounty.org
John Dee Weather - http://www.johndee.com
Keweenaw Now! - http://www.keweenawnow.com
Michigan Technological University - http://www.mtu.edu
Copper Country ISD - www.copperisd.org

New Soil Test Procedure:  (April 1, 2012)

Soil Sampling Information April 2012 MSU Extension Houghton-Keweenaw County 

1500 Birch St., Hancock, MI 49930
Phone 906-482-5830 • Fax 877-326-8120 • E-mail msue31@msu.edu
 
Sampling Instructions:
·         MSU recommends a minimum of 1 sample per 20 acres, more if known differences exist in soil type or management history.
·         Using a soil probe, spade or trowel, and a clean plastic pail, sample in a zigzag fashion throughout a uniform area.
·         Take a representative sampling of the soil in the area you are testing, 15-20 subsamples are recommended for a 20-acre field, at least 6-8 for a small plot.
·         Sampling depths are as follows:
·         Field Soils – 8 inches
·         Garden Soils – 6 to 8 inches
·         Lawn – 3 inches below turf
·         Combine all samples into the plastic pail and mix thoroughly. Fill a soil sample box with the sample, or package about a pint of soil. If soil is wet, spread it on paper and allow to air dry overnight. Do not heat the soil.
·         Fill out an information form and send it in with the soil sample to the soil testing lab.
Home Gardener Samples
Vegetable Gardens and Lawns: Pick up a self-mailer available from the MSU Extension Office located at 1500 Birch Street in Hancock).   Cost is $20 each. We have a very limited supply of self-mailers in stock.
Beginning April 15, 2012, the NEW Home Yard and Garden Soil Test Mailer can be used to process any type of home soil sample (lawn, vegetable garden, tree, shrub, flower, and tree/small fruit) and will be available through the MSUE Bookstore www.bookstore.msue.msu.edu, search for the mailer using SKU #: E3154. Cost is $25 each.
Commercial Samples (i.e. farmers, wildlife plots, septage)
Pick up a soil test box and information form from the MSU Extension Office (above address). Cost is $12 each. Client is responsible for mailing sample to the soil testing lab at Michigan State University.
When will I receive the results?
You will receive an e-mail within 10 days after your sample is received at the MSU Soil Nutrient and Plant Lab letting you know your results are available at MSUSOILTEST.com. If you submit your sample without an e-mail address, it may take slightly longer for you to receive your results in the mail.
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Houghton and Keweenaw Counties

Sand Hills Lighthouse, Keweenaw County, Michigan

Keweenaw County is located in Michigan's upper peninsula, at the top, (north), end of the Keweenaw Peninsula jutting out into Lake Superior.

Keweenaw County, which was organized during the copper mining heyday in the 1860's, derives its name from an Indian word for 'portage'.

Today no copper is mined in Keweenaw County, though in Keweenaw's ghost towns and abandoned mines, the legacy of Copper Country lives on.

Natural beauty is Keweenaw County's most abundant resource. Along the 65 miles of Lake Superior shoreline are sandy beaches, rocky bays, and towering overlooks.

This county is a paradise for rockhounds, scuba divers, fishermen, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers.

Among all the splendor of this county is the Brockway Mountain tour. Brockway Mountain Drive begins between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor on M-26, starting at the Silver River Falls bridge. It is a 9 1/2 mile road through mountains at the extreme northern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This stretch of blacktop rises to 735 feet above Lake Superior and more than 1,300 feet above sea level.

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Houghton County Courthouse, constructed of Jacobsville sandstone

Houghton County is located in Michigan's northwestern upper peninsula, on the southern coastline of Lake Superior.

Houghton County, organized in 1848, was named after Douglass Houghton who confirmed the existence of copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Due to the success of copper mining in the early 1900's, Houghton County was the fourth most populous county in Michigan, featuring a wide ethnic diversity of immigrants and opulent, turn-of-the century architecture.

The natural beauty of Houghton County's landscape on the lower half of the Keweenaw Peninsula is dotted by numerous abandoned mine sites. The area's colorful history, interesting geology and its many recreational opportunities make it one of Michigan's prime tourism areas.

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Houghton & Keweenaw County Demographic Profiles

Houghton County:  http://web1.msue.msu.edu/countyprofiles/houghton/houghton.htm
Keweenaw County:  http://web1.msue.msu.edu/countyprofiles/keweenaw/keweenaw.htm  
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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.