Van Buren County, Michigan

10/13/2026

🎃 Ready for a hauntingly good time in Van Buren County? 👻

Step back in time this season and uncover local history wrapped in thrills and chills! Whether you're looking a whodunnit thriller or spine-tingling local lore, [tag] Van Buren Historical Society's Halloween events have something special in store for you.

Don't let the ghosts of missing out haunt you - check out the these can't miss Halloween events:
👉

Paranormal investigations, a Nov. 1 murder mystery, and 140 years of county history await at the Poorhouse Museum in Hartford.

10/12/2026

🛡️ Medicare Open Enrollment: Protect Yourself from Scams

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15–December 7, 2026. Van Buren County encourages residents and caregivers to watch for scams and pressure to make quick decisions when reviewing coverage options.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Protect your information. Never share your Medicare number, banking details, or other personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

• Don’t trust caller ID alone. Scammers can make calls look official. If you’re unsure, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227.

• Take your time. Don’t let anyone pressure you into choosing or changing a plan.

• Read carefully. Mailings that look like government notices may actually be advertisements from private companies.

📞 Get free, unbiased help comparing Medicare plans: Call MI Options at 800-803-7174.

📣 Report suspected scams or high-pressure sales tactics: Contact the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 877-999-6442, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., or visit Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints.

Please share with family, friends, and neighbors to help keep our community informed!

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10/12/2026

Learn about community tools and efforts from a small, rural community.

Housing Affordability, Density & Zoning
Wednesday, October 28 | 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Andrews University, Berrien Springs

Part of the Southwest Michigan Civic Learning Sessions.
***This event is free and open to the public. ***

Registration is encouraged for seating and resource-sharing.

Register and learn more by clicking the attachment:

10/02/2026

09/28/2026

🌾 Farmland Preservation, Local Ownership & Value-Added Agriculture
Session 2 of 3

Join MSU experts to explore the future of Michigan farmland and opportunities to help local farms thrive!

📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Southwestern Michigan College
Mathews Conference Center, East A&B
58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Topics will include:

Farmland ownership, use, and economic trends.
Local zoning, solar development, and impacts on agricultural land.
Ways farmers can earn more through agritourism, cooperatives, and value-added processing.

Featuring Dr. William Knudson of the MSU Product Center and Harmony Fierke-Gmazel of MSU Extension.

Can’t attend? The in-person session will be recorded and posted on the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s website.

🔗 Learn more and RSVP: https://www.theedaccess.com/southwest-michigan-civic-learning-sessions

09/25/2026

Join MSU experts to explore the future of Michigan farmland and opportunities to help local farms thrive!

📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Southwestern Michigan College
Mathews Conference Center, East A&B
58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Topics will include:

Farmland ownership, use, and economic trends.
Local zoning, solar development, and impacts on agricultural land.
Ways farmers can earn more through agritourism, cooperatives, and value-added processing.

Featuring Dr. William Knudson of the MSU Product Center and Harmony Fierke-Gmazel of MSU Extension.

Can’t attend? The in-person session will be recorded and posted on the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s website.

🔗 Learn more and RSVP: https://www.theedaccess.com/southwest-michigan-civic-learning-sessions

09/24/2026

Van Buren County farms are iconic. From Fruit Belt vineyards, orchards, and fields of blueberries to rows and rows of corn and soy, we’re rich in crops and rural character.
🧑‍🌾 The Van Buren County Land Preservation Board is excited to open a new opportunity to preserve farmland for generations to come. Farm landowners looking to get involved, now is the time to start.
🌽 Starting October 1, we’re accepting pre-applications for our Farmland Preservation Program. Farmers keep the land and can sell or pass it down to the next generations of farmers.
🍇 The pre-application is a simple first step, with no cost and no obligation. Pre-applications are due October 16, so do not wait to reach out. Our staff will talk you through eligibility, match, and next steps.
🫐 Learn more and start here: https://vanburencountymi.gov/farmland-preservation-2027/

09/24/2026

🌳 The Community Parks Grant Program is now open in Van Buren County!

We're proud to support our townships, cities, and villages as they invest in the trails, playgrounds, and public spaces that strengthen our communities. Grants support both recreation planning and shovel-ready projects. What is a small effort now will continue to grow and make impacts across the county. Applications are open September 22 through December 1, 2026.

Learn more about the program: https://VanburenCountyMI.gov/fy27-community-parks-grant/

09/21/2026

Ready to spark your child's next big adventure? ✨

🍀 4-H enrollment for the 2026-2027 year is open!
🍀 Enroll here: https://v2.4honline.com/ #/landing

Questions❓ MSU Extension Van Buren County's Janice Zerbe is here to help!
[email protected]
269-657-8213

09/14/2026

Rent. Home prices. Repairs you keep putting off. The commute. Finding childcare, or care for aging parents. You already know what housing costs you. This week, you can say it where it counts.

The Michigan Statewide Housing Plan 2.0 is the state's housing plan, and it's being written right now. The programs, funding, and assistance that come next all follow from it. Your survey answers tell policymakers what Van Buren County actually needs, so the solutions fit real life here.

It closes this Friday, September 18. Don't let the deadline pass with your story untold.

Take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/353RD8F
For links and more info: https://vanburencountymi.gov/your-housing-story/

Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Your Housing Story You don’t need us to tell you housing is a struggle right now. You live it. The SHP 2.0 survey is your chance to put that experience in front of the people who shape state housing policy. Tell them what you’re up against, so the solutions being built actually fit what’s happ...