Farming for the Future 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
(Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
West Michigan Research and Extension Center
5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420
This event is being hosted by Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and the Oceana Conservation District. The meeting will provide a full day of information for commercial tree fruit and vegetable growers with a special focus on apple production. Experts from Michigan State University, USDA, Washington State University, the Washington Tree Fruit Commission, and Storage Control Systems Inc. will present on important topics like improving red color development, managing sunburn in apples, considerations for fruit and vegetable storage, and advances in technology in the field. There will be demonstrations including an aerial spray drone in pumpkins and an autonomous robotic apple harvester which is currently being developed and tested by a joint Michigan State University and USDA team through a Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant. Presenters will provide indoor and outdoor presentations and interactive experiences with demonstrations in the field.
To attend as a participant, please click the "Register Now" button below under Participant Registration. Registration is required, but there is no charge to attend.
Sponsors
Many of our programs offer sponsorship opportunities, which include being part of the promotion of the event. Sponsors allow us to offer high quality programming at reasonable costs for participants. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please click on the "Sponsor Now" link below. Follow up emails will be sent to sponsors at the close of the sponsor registration period.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For information, please contact Emily Lavely at lavelyem@msu.edu; Ben Werling at werlingb@msu.edu or the Oceana MSU Extension Office at 231-873-2129.