CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2005

1/18-19            NW Michigan Orchard & Vineyard Show
                          Grand Traverse Resort, Acme

2/5-6               IDFTA Pre-tour

2/7-9               IDFTA Conference, Wenatchee, WA

2/10-12           IDFTA Post-tour, "High Density Sweet
                         Cherry Workshop"
                         Washington & Oregon

2/14-16           Tree Fruit IPM School
                          Kellogg Biological Station
                          Hickory Corners

3/1-2                 Benzie/Manistee Hort Show
                          Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville

NW MICHIGAN ORCHARD & VINEYARD SHOW

The NW Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, January 18 & 19, 2005, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. The program schedule is included with this newsletter. Concurrent programs for tree fruits and wine grapes will occur all day Tuesday, followed by a wine and cheese reception in the exhibit hall. The Tuesday evening program will be a MAEAP Phase 1 educational program focusing on environmental stewardship in fruit production. CMI’s annual meeting and report to the industry will take place Wednesday a.m., with continued educational programs during the afternoon. Recertification credits have been granted.  A limited program follows later in this newsletter or for the most up to date version, visit here (pdf).

PRODUCERS CAN MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK BY PARTICIPATING IN THE
MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAEAP)

MAEAP is a voluntary, pro-active program designed to reduce producers’ legal and environmental risks. It teaches effective land stewardship practices that comply with state and federal regulations and shows producers how to find and prevent agricultural pollution risks on their farms. 

The program encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risk on their operation. Each system – Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock (when applicable) – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. Through each phase, producers will develop and implement economically feasible, effective and environmentally sound pollution prevention practices. 

MAEAP is designed as a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. By participating in all applicable systems, producers comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks. MAEAP is based on sound scientific practices and includes education, on-farm technical assistance, environmental risk assessment (Farm*A*Syst) and action plans that are site and farm specific.

Phase I – Education

Educational meetings will be held where producers can learn about the three MAEAP systems, as well as state and federal regulations, and the potential impact agriculture pollution on the environment. Michigan’s Right-To-Farm Act is briefly reviewed with special emphasis on Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs) and state and federal regulations.

Phase II – On-Farm Assessment

The focus of this phase is the assessment of environmental risks on the farm and the development and implementation of a farm-specific plan to address identified risks. This is accomplished by contacting your local Groundwater Technician and completing a Farm*A*Syst and a Farmstead Improvement Action Plan.

Phase III – Third Party Verification

Producers can request Third Party Verification from the Michigan Department of Agriculture after thy have developed a Farmstead Improvement Action Plan and are following their schedule of implemented practices and improvements. When these requirements are successfully met, producers can receive MAEAP verification and recognition for their accomplishments.

Benefits of MAEAP

MAEAP is an effective program that works with individual producers in cooperation with local resources to evaluate their operations based on what environmental practices are in place, what practices need to be improved, and the appropriate timeline for making those improvements. In addition to minimizing potential environmental risks and enforcement penalties, MAEAP offers other incentives to producers. Financial assistance and the opportunity to utilize loan programs, a reduction in premiums for liability insurance, and the opportunity to utilize Michigan Groundwater Stewardship program cost share funds and the Farm Bill Conservation Program funds.

Alone, environmental guidelines can be overwhelming, but with the guidance of MAEAP, producers are able to effectively review and adapt practices that meet state and federal regulations. Also, producers in MAEAP are considered making a "good faith effort" to comply with environmental regulations. MAEAP was initiated by a broad coalition of agricultural producers, commodity groups, state agencies, and conservation and environmental interests. For more information on MAEAP, visit www.maeap.org, call the MAEAP main office at (517) 353-1758 or contact your local Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program Technician, Dan Busby at (231) 941-4191.

MAEAP PHASE I EDUCATIONAL SESSION SCHEDULED FOR THE NW MI ORCHARD AND VINEYARD SHOW

Northwest Michigan growers account for more than half of the farmsteads verified in the state. Learn more about MAEAP at the January 18^th, Tuesday evening program at the 2005 NW MI Orchard and Vineyard Show. The program starts at 6:00 p.m. and will run to 8:30. You will learn more about MAEAP, what’s new in pesticide drift management, fuel storage, and water use regulations. Learn how MAEAP ties in with Michigan’s Right-to-Farm Act and the Generally Accepted Agriculture and Management Practices (GAAMPS). You will hear first hand of the positive experience becoming MAEAP verified has become to many local farmers. 

MSU FRUIT IPM SCHOOL UPDATE
Nikki Rothwell, District Fruit IPM Agent

The MSU Fruit IPM School is fast approaching!  The school runs from February 14 to noon on February 16 at the Kellogg Biological Station.  We have a great line-up of speakers this year, and we hope to see many of you at KBS.  Pesticide recertification credits have been granted for the upcoming Fruit IPM School. This year the Michigan Department of Agriculture has awarded the 2 ½ day school 10 credits for all certified private or commercial applicators that are certified in category 1C (fruit crops). Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits have also been arranged and the following CEU’s have been assigned: 11.5 Pest Management and 1.0 Crop Management. 

Registration for the school is due by February 1. Please call the NW Michigan Horticulture Research Station for more information (231) 946-1510.

Registration: $15 per person, Cherry Industry Luncheon ($15)

Tuesday Morning, January 18

8:00 Registration Desk Opens

8:00-10:30 Coffee and rolls served in Exhibit Hall

8:50-9:00 Welcome and overview
Mr. Paul Hubbell, President, Grand Traverse Fruit Growers’ Council

9:00-9:30 Resistance to sterol-inhibitor fungicides in the cherry leaf spot pathogen: 
status in Michigan and alternative control strategies
Dr. George Sundin, Dept of Plant Pathology, MSU

9:30-10:00 A rapid assay for detecting resistance to strobilurins
Dr. Andy Jarosz, Dept of Plant Pathology, MSU

10:00-10:30 Break for Exhibits and Refreshments

10:30-10:45 Tart cherry integrated orchard management (RAMP) update
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Fruit IPM Agent, MSU

10:45-11:15 Incorporating non-organophosphate insecticides in cherry IPM
Mr. David Epstein, Fruit IPM Coordinator, MSU Extension 

11:15-11:40 Plans for the 2005 Select a Taste of Traverse Bay campaign
Ms. Patty Cantrell, Director of the Entrepreneurial Agriculture Project,
Michigan Land Use Institute

11:40-12:00 Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation annual meeting
Mr. Michael McManus, President 

Tuesday Afternoon

12:00-1:30 Cherry Industry Luncheon
Emcee: Dr. Duke Elsner, MSU Extension, Grand Traverse County
Keynote speaker: Mr. Dan Wyant, Director of Michigan Dept of Agriculture

1:30-2:00 Break for Exhibits

2:00-2:30 Can Balaton fruit set be improved?
Dr. Amy Iezzoni, Dept of Horticulture, MSU
Mr. Jim Nugent, District Horticulturist and NWMHRS Coordinator, MSU

2:30-2:50 Purchasing development rights for Michigan agricultural land
Mr. Scott Everett, Director, Central Great Lakes Region, American Farmland Trust

2:50-3:15 Climate Change and the Tart Cherry Industry in the Great Lakes Region: 
Introducing the Pileus Project 
Dr. Jeff Andresen, Dept of Geography, MSU

3:15-4:30 The futures for major tart cherry market segments
Moderator: Mr. Jim Nugent, Dist.Horticulturist and NWMHRS Coordinator, MSU

Panel: Mr. Phil Korson, President, Cherry Marketing Institute
Mr. Tom Facer, Vice President of Agriculture Services, Bird’s Eye
Mr. Jim Jensen, President, CherrCo
Mr. Jim Giannestras, Vice President-Sales, Cherry Central Cooperative
Mr. Steve Nugent, Vice President-Marketing, Graceland Fruit

4:30-6:00 Reception
Featuring food and wines from Northwest Michigan 

GRAPE AND WINE PROGRAM

Concurrent on Tuesday, January 18
Tuesday Morning

8:00 Registration Desk Opens

8:00-10:30 Coffee and rolls served in Exhibit Hall

Grapevine Nutrition Workshop

Co-sponsored by Parallel 45 Vines & Wines Inc. & MSU Extension
9:00-10:00 Fundamentals of grapevine nutrition
Tom Zabadal, Dept of Horticulture, MSU
Eric Hanson, Dept of Horticulture, MSU

10:00-11:00 Monitoring nitrogen status of grapevines
Eric Hanson, Dept of Horticulture, MSU
Tom Zabadal, Dept of Horticulture, MSU

11:00-12:00 Elemental prominence & the importance of analysis in 
wine grape production
Tim Eyrich, RSA Microtech, Alliance, Nebraska

Tuesday Afternoon

12:00-1:30 Light Buffet Luncheon & Break for Exhibits

1:30-2:15 Is it time to further mechanize wine grape production
in the Traverse City area?
Tom Zabadal, Dept of Horticulture, MSU

2:15-2:45 Parallel 45 Vines and Wines- goals and plans for 2005
Jim Thompson, Mutual Farm Management, Traverse City

2:45-3:15 2003 freeze recovery strategies revisited- 2005 crop loads at the NWHRS
Duke Elsner, Regional Grape and Wine Agent, MSU Extension

3:15-4:00 What can MSU Extension do for you?
Duke Elsner, Regional Grape and Wine Agent, MSU Extension

4:30-6:00 Reception
Featuring food and wines from Northwest Michigan 

Tuesday Evening Program
Chairperson- Stan Moore, County Extension Director/Agr. Agent – Antrim Co.

6:00 - 6:05 Welcome and Introduction to MAEAP Phase I Educational Session
Stan Moore, County Extension Director/Agr. Agent – Antrim Co.

6:05 - 6:20 MAEAP Framework
Scott Piggot, Agricultural Ecology Department, Michigan Farm Bureau

6:20 - 6:40 Pest and Nutrient Management 
Jim Nugent, District Horticulturist MSU Extension, NWMHRS Coordinator
Nikki Rothwell, District Fruit IPM Agent

6:40 – 7:10 Agricultural Fuel Storage
Roberta Dow, MSU Extension District Groundwater Agent, Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program

7:10 - 7:15 Break – coffee, cider and doughnuts provided by Grand Traverse Conservation District

7:15 - 7:35 Pesticide Drift Management for Fruit Growers
Eric McCumber, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division

7:35 - 7:50 Michigan’s Right-To-Farm Act and Applicable GAAMPS (Generally Accepted Agriculture and Management Practices)
Kristen Linderman, Michigan Dept of Agriculture, Right-To-Farm Program

7:50 - 8:15 Water Use Regulations and Water Related Issues
Scott Piggot, Agricultural Ecology Department, Michigan Farm Bureau

8:15 - 8:25 MAEAP Farmstead System Verification
Josh Appleby, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

8:25 - 8:30 Farmer Testimonial on the MAEAP Farmstead System Verification
Paul Hubbell, Orchard View Farms
Bern Kroupa, Old Mission Fruit Company
Jeff Send, Cherry Lane Farm and Send Receiving

8:30 – 9:00 Q & A

Wednesday Morning, January 19

8:00-10:30 Coffee and rolls served in the Exhibit Hall 

9:00-12:00 CHERRY MARKETING INSTITUTE ANNUAL MEETING 

Wednesday Afternoon

12:00-12:30 Break for Exhibits

12:30-2:00 Cherry Marketing Institute Luncheon

2:00-2:35 Soft tart cherries: what we know and where we go from there
Dr. Jim Flore, Dept of Horticulture, MSU
Mr. Jim Nugent, District Horticulturist and NWMHRS Coordinator, MSU
Mr. Stan Moore, Antrim County Extension Director and Agriculture Agent, MSU

2:35-2:55 RAMP survey results, 2004
Ms. Jean Haley, Haley Consulting Services, Chicago

2:55-3:25 The Endangered Species Act: What Growers Need to Know
Dr. Mark Whalon, Dept of Entomology, MSU

3:25-3:55 Suppression of plum curculio with entomopathogens
Dr. Diane Alston, Extension Entomologist, Utah State University

3:55-4:10 Fruit Planting Trends in Michigan
Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury, Dept of Agricultural Economics, MSU

4:10-5:00 A look at the Polish cherry industry
Moderator: Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury, Dept of Agricultural Economics, MSU

Panel: Mr. Don Gregory, Cherry Bay Orchards
Mr. Phil Korson, President, Cherry Marketing Institute
Mr. Fred Tubbs, Board of Directors, Cherry Marketing Institute

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

Last Revised: 12-31-04