Feb 4, 2013

Sign up for Michigan Spring Peach Update

The 2013 Michigan Spring Peach Update is a daylong meeting with educational sessions and discussions on growing, packing and marketing high-quality peaches and nectarines. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 5, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, Mich., with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m.

The meeting will focus on fresh-market peaches including new varieties, insect management strategies, disease control, marketing strategies, rootstocks, farm marketing and mechanical peach thinning.

Special guests include peach specialist Greg Reighard of Clemson University, award-winning peach grower Robert Fralinger of Bridgeton, N.J., National Peach Council Director Kay Rentzel, Michigan State University entomologist John Wise and plant pathologist George Sundin.

Attendees will be eligible for credits toward recertification of their Michigan pesticide applicator’s license.

Deadline for early registration is Feb. 25. Registration is $30 per person, or $25 for current Michigan Peach Sponsor members, with catered lunch included. Registrations mailed after Feb. 25 or at the door are $5 more per person.

For more information, call the conference coordinator Bill Shane at 269-944-1477 ext. 205, or 269-208-1652 (cell). For a registration form, go to the Michigan Peach Sponsor website.

To pay in advance by check or money order, download the registration form (pdf) and mail with payment by Feb. 25. After that, register at the door with check, money order or cash. Credit cards will not be accepted.

The Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center is located 2.5 miles east of I-94 exit 30 (Napier Avenue), approximately 4 miles southeast of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Mich. Numerous accommodations are available close by at I-94 exits 23, 27, 28 and 29.

The meeting is sponsored by the Michigan Peach Sponsors, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Society for Horticultural Science.