Vegetable program at Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days to focus on input suppliers
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EmailA half-day program will include talks on crop rotation systems, biostimulant concepts, and showcase input suppliers serving southwest Michigan.
This year’s Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days will feature a half-day vegetable program on Feb. 5 at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center. This includes grower requests to hear some information on crop rotation patterns that work well in southwest Michigan, and some science on the use of biostimulants in vegetable crops. I have also invited and prompted some input suppliers to talk about their plans to support growers in 2025.
Register for the 2025 Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days
For folks who have not been to Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days before, there is an equipment and industry trade show, big group lunch and a wine tasting after the sessions close on Feb 5. Parking for the event is on the north side of the Mendel Center off of Yore Road. Enter through the north doors. Here is a GPS point showing the doors to enter: 42.097710, -86.389994.
Agenda
1:00 p.m. – Biostimulants in Vegetables
Pat Owens, from Miller Chemical, is passionate about plant biology and nutrient utilization in plants. Owens will give a review of the role that biostimulants play in vegetable production.
1:40 p.m.– Crop Rotations for Vegetables
Lucas Costanza, from Nutrien, is a fixture in southwest Michigan. Costanza raises vegetables with his dad in Sodus, while also advising growers. Costanza will speak on his experiences and observations of crop rotation in vegetables.
2:20 p.m.– Valent plans to support growers in 2025
Amy Irish-Brown, from Valent, has a rich history serving apple growers on the ridge in west Michigan with Michigan State University Extension. In her new role with Valent, she serves more vegetable growers!
2:40 p.m.– Lakeshore Ag plans to support growers in 2025
Kevin DeHerrera and Dave Alexander, from Lakeshore Ag, supply liquid fertilizers in Allegan County. Kevin and Dave will discuss what seems to work well in the vegetable systems of southwest Michigan and their plans to serve growers in 2025.
3:00 p.m.– Corteva plans to support growers in 2025
Claudio Vrisman and Jen Hall, from Corteva, will give their perspectives on chemical supply market for Michigan vegetable growers.
3:30 p.m.– Adjourn for the vegetable sessions, and wine-tasting in the trade show area around 4 p.m.
Don’t forget, “Days” is plural! Vegetables are just one track on one day at Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days. There are also tracks on blueberries, tree fruit, grapes and marketing that continue on Feb 6!
This event is graciously hosted by the Michigan Grape Society and Lake Michigan College.
