West Central Spring Horticulture Meeting 2025
March 25, 2025
9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
(Registration from 8:30 - 9 a.m.)
West Central Michigan Horticulture Research & Extension Center
5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420
The meeting will provide attendees with updated information related to commercial tree fruit production. The program will start with a MAEAP update and a MDARD update on regenerative agriculture. Dr. Randy Beaudry will discuss the work being done on lenticel breakdown in apples. Following Dr. Beaudry's talk information will be shared about the biocontrol efforts against Spotted-wing Drosophila, updated information on water rules from the Produce Safety Team and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Dr. George Sundin will discuss the various tree fruit diseases for the 2025 growing season. Dr. Emily Lavely will complete the morning with a demonstration in advanced technology spray systems in orchards.
Following lunch there will be presentations on precision agriculture in tree fruit systems and the use of drones to hone in on cherry crop yield. The afternoon will conclude outdoors with demonstrations and a show-and-tell of precision agriculture case study in tart cherries.
Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Pesticide applicator credits have been requested for this meeting.
Costs:
Early registration (on or before March 21st) $25.00
Late/On-Site registration (after March 21st) $40.00
Cancellations received after March 21st will incur a $25 cancellation fee.
Accommodations
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. 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 more information contact, please contact the Oceana MSU Extension Office at 231-873-2129; Emily Lavely at lavelyem@msu.edu; or Kathy Walicki at walicki@msu.edu.