West West Central MI Research Station FundCentral MI Research Station Fund
Fund Type
Agency Endowment
Agency Endowment
Established
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Purpose
To support the West Central Michigan Research Station facility in Hart & their programs and activities.
To support the West Central Michigan Research Station facility in Hart & their programs and activities.
Story
West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. (WCMHR) was established in 2019 in response to a long-recognized need for regionally relevant agricultural research in Oceana, Mason, and Newaygo counties—one of Michigan’s most productive fruit-growing regions. Despite the area’s significant contributions to the state’s agricultural economy, growers historically lacked access to a dedicated, local research facility capable of addressing the unique challenges posed by the region’s diverse soils, proximity to Lake Michigan, and distinct microclimates. Recognizing this gap, a coalition of local growers, agricultural leaders, and community partners came together to form WCMHR with the goal of creating a research and education hub tailored specifically to the needs of West Central Michigan agriculture. Through this collaborative, grassroots effort, WCMHR led the development of the Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station in Hart, Michigan. What began as a vision shared among industry stakeholders quickly evolved into a fully operational, 68-acre research and education facility through strong community support, private investment, and strategic partnerships. The station now serves as a critical asset to the region, providing infrastructure and capacity for applied agricultural research, grower education, and community engagement. The mission of WCMHR is to advance agriculture through innovation, education, and collaboration.
West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. (WCMHR) was established in 2019 in response to a long-recognized need for regionally relevant agricultural research in Oceana, Mason, and Newaygo counties—one of Michigan’s most productive fruit-growing regions. Despite the area’s significant contributions to the state’s agricultural economy, growers historically lacked access to a dedicated, local research facility capable of addressing the unique challenges posed by the region’s diverse soils, proximity to Lake Michigan, and distinct microclimates. Recognizing this gap, a coalition of local growers, agricultural leaders, and community partners came together to form WCMHR with the goal of creating a research and education hub tailored specifically to the needs of West Central Michigan agriculture. Through this collaborative, grassroots effort, WCMHR led the development of the Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station in Hart, Michigan. What began as a vision shared among industry stakeholders quickly evolved into a fully operational, 68-acre research and education facility through strong community support, private investment, and strategic partnerships. The station now serves as a critical asset to the region, providing infrastructure and capacity for applied agricultural research, grower education, and community engagement. The mission of WCMHR is to advance agriculture through innovation, education, and collaboration.