EAST LANSING, Mich. — Make a resolution to stay on top of the latest research and regulations as it applies to your farm (and avoid an end-of-the year RUP credit scramble) with the 2018 winter’s suite of Michigan State University Extension meetings. Meetings are being held across the east side of Michigan on a variety of topics; register today to secure your spot!
For field crops growers
The annual Pest and Crop Management Update Meeting returns to the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan, on Jan. 19 and Cabela’s in Dundee, Michigan, on Jan. 23. This all-day meeting covers everything from recent failures in Bt traits to controlling herbicide resistant weeds. Space is limited, so register today! For more information and registration, visit the event page at Pest and Crop Management Update Meeting.
For vegetable growers
MSU vegetable specialists will present on disease, insect and nematode management, as well as cover crops and soil health, during the annual Southeast Michigan Winter Vegetable Meeting Feb. 8 in Dundee. This all-day meeting will include RUP credits, lunch and the latest information on vegetable production. More information and online registration can be found at Southeast Michigan Winter Vegetable Meeting.
For those north of Detroit, Michigan, the Bay Thumb Vegetable Meeting offers similar information in a more convenient location. Taking place Feb. 20 in Burton, Michigan, this all-day meeting includes MSU campus specialists and state experts on topics such as labor and food safety. Further information and registration is available at Bay Thumb Vegetable Meeting.
For fruit growers
The annual eastside fruit update will take place March 23 at Walli’s Family Restaurant in Burton, Michigan. More information and registration will be released via MSU Extension Fruit and Nuts News in the coming months. Contact Bob Tritten at 810-516-3800 with questions.
For growers with retail garden centers
The 2018 Marketing Boot Camp on Feb. 28 will cover all aspects of marketing products, helping you prepare for a busy spring selling season. This all-day workshop will cover everything from business philosophy to marketing math to social media. Hosted in Novi, Michigan, this interactive meeting will boost morale and prepare you for a successful spring. For more information as well as registration, visit 2018 Marketing Boot Camp.
For those catching up on upcoming regulations
Changes to the Worker Protection Standards requirements take effect this year. If you need catchup with what’s changing, attend the 2018 Worker Protection Standards and Respirator Fit-Testing Meeting Jan. 16 in Novi. This all-day meeting includes the information you need and the now-mandatory respirator fit testing. For more information and registration on this meeting, see the event page at 2018 Worker Protection Standards and Respirator Fit-Testing Meeting.
Fresh produce growers of all sizes have likely heard something about the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule. Whether you’re looking for clarity on what’s required, a certificate showing you are complaint with the rule’s education requirements, or just starting to think about on-farm food safety, the 2018 Winter Grower Produce Safety Certification Coursehas the information you need. Trainings run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include a training manual as well as a certificate. Eastside training locations include Saginaw, Michigan, on Jan. 12; Adrian, Michigan, on Jan. 22; and Lapeer, Michigan, on Feb. 22. For more information and preregistration, which is required for these trainings, visit 2018 Winter Grower Produce Safety Certification Course.
For useful information beyond winter meeting season
To keep up with relevant research, news and events in your area, subscribe to a weekly MSU Extension newsletter. These weekly emails come right to your inbox and highlight MSU Extension information in a timely manner—for example, when pests are becoming active or when a plant disease is moving into the state. To subscribe to any of our topics such as field crop production, fruit and nut production, vegetable production or Christmas trees and nursery production, to name a few, visit the sign-up page.
— Marissa Schuh, Michigan State University Extension
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