Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days
February 5, 2025 - February 6, 2025
The Mendel Center 2755 E. Napier Avenue Benton Harbor MI, Michigan 49022
Contact: Questions regarding registration, contact Renee Tinkey at 269-944-1477, ext. 201 or tinkeyre@msu.edu
Two days of educational sessions will cover important topics such as climate considerations and mitigation strategies, new precision management technologies, orchard and vineyard floor management, and pest and disease management. The 2025 Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days is hosted by the Michigan Grape Society and Michigan State University Extension.
Daily Sessions
Wednesday, February 5
8 a.m. Registration & Trade Show Open
9 a.m.–12 p.m. General Sessions
1:30–4 p.m. General Sessions, Grapes, and Vegetables
4:30 p.m. Wine Showcase
Thursday, February 6, 2025
8 a.m. Registration & Trade Show Open
9 a.m.–12 p.m. Tree Fruit, Grapes, Blueberries, Marketing
1:30–4 p.m. Tree Fruit, Grapes, Blueberries
Grapes
The Grape sessions will highlight some innovative research happening here at Michigan State University and beyond about incorporating technologies in the vineyard. You will also hear updates from the Michigan Wine Collaborative on the PA232 and from P45 on the development of their annual statewide grape pricing survey. All this and some focused discussions on best practices of botrytis management in the vineyard, quality control in the winery, and more.
Blueberries
We will again have a morning and afternoon session this year! Join us as we discuss blueberry production from the soil to the leaves as we hear from experts from around the state. Topics will include new tools for Michigan blueberry growers, pest updates, and more.
Vegetables
The 2025 Vegetable session will be an industry showcase. Several manufacturers and suppliers of ag inputs have collaborated with researchers or supported the Southwest Michigan Research Center over the years, and this is an opportunity for them to share with growers what they are doing to support you in the 2025 season.
Tree Fruit
The Tree Fruit sessions have a focus on winter adaptations with talks on tree dormancy, cold hardiness, climate considerations, and frost fan use. The sessions will have an IPM concentration with talks on current disease, insect, and weed management practices. Horticulture topics such as current thinning recommendations will also be highlighted.
Marketing
This year’s Marketing session will focus on how to increase your revenue and customer base while improving community access to nutritious foods. Joe Lesausky, from the Michigan Farmers Market Association, will cover what farmers need to know about accepting the various food assistance programs available to Michigan residents. You’ll also hear directly from other farmers who have found success in participating in these programs.
Registration and the trade show begin at 8 a.m. and the educational sessions start at 9 a.m. both days. A wine showcase free for all attendees will be held Wednesday afternoon. Pre-registration for both days is $60 per person, postmarked before Jan. 17. Registrations for both days postmarked after Friday, Jan. 17, online and at the door, will be $75 per person. Single day registrations are available for a $15 discount off the full event registration price.
Questions regarding registration, phone Renee Tinkey at 269-944-1477, ext. 201. Email tinkeyre@msu.edu.
Checks made payable to Michigan Grape Society. Mail to MSU-SWMREC, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Attn: Renee Tinkey.
Click Here for Mail-In Paper Registration
Get Directions
Print
Email