BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — High quality peaches are always in demand and appreciated by consumers. The 2018 Michigan Spring Peach Update is the best annual meeting in Michigan to learn about this crop. This year’s meeting will take place March 13, 2018, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road Benton Harbor, MI 49022, which is 2.5 miles east of I-94 exit 30 to Hillandale Road. Registration, coffee and socializing begins at 8 a.m. with the program starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
The meeting will focus on peaches varieties, insect and disease management, marketing strategies, rootstocks, tree training, grower panel on planting decisions, how to store peaches and processing peaches.
Guest speakers include Lawton Pearson of Pearson Farms, Georgia; Dan Ward, Rutgers University; Julianna Wilson, Michigan State University Entomology; David Jones, MSUExtension; Marisol Quintanilla, MSU Entomology; John Thwaites, Thwaites Farms, Ontario, Canada; Phil Brannen, University of Georgia; and Bill Shane, MSU Extension. Attendees will be eligible for credits toward their recertification of their Michigan pesticide applicators license.
Deadline for early registration is Monday, March 5, 2018. Early registration is $45 per person or $35 for current Michigan Peach Sponsor members. A tasty, catered lunch, coffee breaks and handouts are included. Registrations mailed after March 5 or at the door are $5 more per person.
To pay in advance by check or money order, please fill out the Spring Peach Meeting Registration Form and mail with payment by March 5. After this time, you may register at the door with check, money order or cash. Credit cards will not be accepted.
For additional meeting information, contact conference coordinator Bill Shane at 269-944-1477 ext. 205, cell: 269-208-1652; email: shane@msu.edu.
Numerous accommodations are available along at I-94 exits 23, 27, 28 and 29 in Berrien County in the vicinities of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Stevensville, Michigan.
This meeting is sponsored by the Michigan Peach Sponsors, Crop Production Services, MSU Extension and the Michigan State Horticultural Society.
— Bill Shane, Michigan State University Extension
For more news from Michigan, click here.