Midwest
Minnesota agritourism tour planned for July
A July tour of Minnesota agritourism is being offered by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA). Thirteen farms will be visited during the two days of the tour, July 23-24, with buses departing... more »
Michigan upgrades, expands weather station network
Michigan growers can look for a better, and slightly bigger, version of Enviroweather to be at their fingertips. Enviroweather, Michigan’s network of weather stations and modeling tools, next year will feature a new website design... more »
Southwest Michigan fruit grower Otto Jasper Jr. dies at age 94
Otto John Jasper, Jr., 94, of St. Joseph, Michigan died Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 5:28 A.M. at Hanson Hospice Center, with his two daughters by his side. A... more »
Effects of extreme heat on blueberry pollination
During the 2018 growing season, Michigan experienced an unprecedented heat-wave on Memorial Day weekend, in late May (Figure 1). Weather stations in west Michigan reported hours-long conditions above 90 degrees Fahrenheit over that weekend. Additionally,... more »
Viticulture Field Day in Michigan slated for June 13
Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, Michigan Grape Society, and with additional sponsorship provided by Lake Michigan College Wine and Viticulture Technology Program and Certis USA will... more »
Preparing for gall wasp emergence in Michigan blueberry fields
The Michigan Enviroweather model predicts blueberry gall wasp emergence starting later this week. Blueberry gall wasp is a small insect pest that affects some of the cultivars common in Michigan, with the greatest infestation seen... more »
Consider Gibberellin use for fruit set on blueberries
Gibberellin acid (GA) is naturally produced by blueberry seeds. In well-pollinated berries, Gibberellin is abundant and promotes normal berry growth. Without pollination and seed production, berries abort or do not size fully. When bee activity... more »
Michigan blueberry operation among MDARD grant awardees
During its regularly scheduled meeting May 15, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) voted to approve Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grants for five food and agriculture projects in Michigan. The projects... more »
