EAST LANSING, Mich. — High quality peaches are always in demand and appreciated by consumers. The 2017 Michigan Spring Peach Update is the best annual meeting in Michigan to learn about this crop. This one-day meeting will take place 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 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, H2A labor options and processing peaches. Topics will include information on chemicals for delaying bloom, oriental fruit moth, stink bug and spotted wing Drosophila.
Guest speakers include Chris Eckert of Eckert Farms in Illinois; Tom Beekman of USDA in Byron, Georgia; Katie Vargas of Michigan Farm Bureau; Mark Schilling of Hawkeye Farms; and Michigan State University Extension and research specialists Courtney Hollander, Greg Lang, Julianna Wilson and Bill Shane. Attendees will be eligible for credits toward their recertification of their Michigan pesticide applicators license.
Deadline for early registration is Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. Registration is $30 per person or $25 for current Michigan Peach Sponsor members, with lunch provided by Cravings Catering, coffee breaks and handouts included. Registrations mailed after Feb. 20 or at the door are $5 more per person.
To pay in advance by check or money order, please fill out the registration form and mail with payment by Feb. 20. 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 the conference coordinator Bill Shane at 269-944-1477 ext. 205 (office), 269-208-1652 (cell) or email shane@msu.edu
Numerous accommodations are available close by at I-94 exits 23, 27, 28 and 29.
This meeting is sponsored by the Michigan Peach Sponsors, Crop Production Services, MSU Extension and the Michigan Society for Horticultural Science.