Foundation |Research and Background | Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

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Recognizing the need for research to help maintain a viable cherry industry, a group of fruit growers from the five Northwest counties of Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Antrim formed the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation in 1978. The Foundation board is administered by an elected nine member board of directors from the five counties. The purpose of the Foundation was to establish a field research station in this major cherry area since no other MSU research facilities represent the unique Northwest and West Central growing areas.

The Foundation launched a fall 1978 fund raising campaign that resulted in over $350,000 in cash and pledges from fruit growers, fruit processors, machinery dealers, irrigation companies, financial institutions and others closely connected to the fruit industry. Another $150,000 was donated in cash and in-kind items within the following two years resulting in a total of $500,000.

The Foundation purchased an 80-acre farm near Bingham on County Road 633 in Leelanau County in November 1978. By the following summer, an office and storage facility had been built on the site. An Open House in September 1979 marked the official start of operation at the Station. Up to that point, all expenditures were from industry funds. The Foundation leases the facility to MSU for operations at no cost.

The Foundation board of directors, working with MSU research and Extension personnel, recently completed New Horizons, a visionary assessment of future direction of priorities for the fruit industry and has also embarked on a fund raising campaign to begin an endowment to fund future fruit research.

Members of the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation Board

Director	County
Mark Drake	Leelanau
Mike Evans	Benzie
Gary Bardenhagen	Leelanau
Rick Sayler	Grand Traverse
Michael A. McManus	Leelanau
Tom Paradis	Antrim
Len Ligon	Grand Traverse
John Bull	Manistee
Jim Thompson	Grand Traverse
Dr. James Flore	Dept. of Horticulture

The NWMHRS brings together a unique blend of MSU research and Extension programming combined with the active participation of the fruit industry and excellent support from MDA. This station puts the University at the focal point for information for both Northwest Michigan's fruit industry and the tart cherry industry throughout Michigan, North America and the world. There is a great sense of pride and support from the fruit industry in the research and extension activities conducted at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station.

Donations and memorials are greatfully accepted and are tax deductable. The NW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation. For more information contact:

NW Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation
6686 S. Center Hwy
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone (231) 946-1510
Email contact@nwmihort.org

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu