2016 Michigan spring peach meeting scheduled for March 1

Peach growers are always looking for ways to improve their profitability. Michigan State University Extension’s 2016 Michigan Spring Peach Update is the best annual meeting in Michigan to learn about this crop. This one-day meeting will be held Tuesday, March 1, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the program starting at 9 a.m.

The meeting will focus on fresh market peaches including varieties, insect and disease management, marketing strategies, rootstocks and high density plantings. Topics covered include tips for productive peach orchards, variety recommendations, peach and insect management strategies, tree training methods, Michigan processing peach update and recommendations.

Guest speakers include Extension specialist Win Cowgill of Rutgers University, Kay Rentzel of the National Peach Council, Mark Rice of R&L Orchards in Pennsylvania, John Wise of the MSU Deparment of Entomology, Allyn Anthony of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, Leo Steffens of Peterson Farms Inc., Guido Schnabel of Clemson University and Bill Shane of MSU Extension. Attendees will be eligible for credits toward their recertification of their Michigan pesticide applicators license.

Deadline for early registration is Monday, Feb. 20. Registration is $30 per person or $25 for current Michigan Peach Sponsor members, with catered lunch 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 download 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 or assistance, contact Bill Shane, conference coordinator, at 269-944-1477 ext. 205 or 269-208-1652 (cell).

The Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, is located 2.5 miles east of I-94 exit 30 (Napier Avenue), approximately four miles southeast of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Michigan. 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, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Society for Horticultural Science.

— Bill Shane, Michigan State University