Open House on Aug. 20

The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station (NWMHRS) Open House will be held Thursday, Aug. 20. The equipment show and grounds open at 1 p.m. Educational sessions will begin at 3 p.m., and will conclude with a wine tasting event at 5:15 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.

The educational sessions will kick off with a look at the new irrigation system installed at NWMHRS. Curtis Talley, the new farm management educator, will explain how he can help growers in the region. Other speakers include Michigan State University’s George Sundin, Mark Whalon, Nikki Rothwell, Erin Lizotte, Greg Lang, Jim Flore and Beth Bishop.

In a concurrent grape session, two visiting scientists from Russia will present their work on grape breeding, vineyard establishment, refurbishing old vineyards and grafting.

The Leelanau Horticultural Society is hosting an equipment show this year. Many local and regional equipment and supply vendors will be set up at NWMHRS and will be available throughout the event.

The Open House is hosted by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan State University Extension, Leelanau Horticultural Society and the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation and Parallel 45. The education sessions are free and open to all who would like to attend. Dinner is available for $12 per person for those making reservations by Aug. 18, or purchased at the door for $15. To reserve tickets for the wine tasting and dinner, call the Leelanau County Extension office at 231-256-9888 or e-mail msue45@msu.edu.

For more information, call the research station at 231-946-1510.