CALENDAR OF EVENTS

12/3                Farm Income Tax Update
                        NWMHRS

12/7-9            Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo
                       Grand Rapids, MI - DeVos Center

12/14             Pesticide Applicator Training
                       NWMHRS

12/15             Pesticide Applicator Training
                       Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth

2005

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

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
 

FARM INCOME TAX SESSION
By Jim Bardenhagen, CED Leelanau Co.

The Annual Farm Income Tax Update will be held on Friday, December 3 starting at 1:30 at the NW MI Horticultural Research Station.

Larry Borton, MSU Ag Economics Department and Director of the MSU Telfarm Department, will be covering various income tax changes affecting farms and individuals for 2004. Two tax bills were recently signed into law in October 2004, which will have an affect on farm income averaging, the 10% income tax bracket, SUV expensing, and more. Larry will also present some suggestions for income tax planning for farmers. There will be a number of handouts available as well.

If your farm uses a tax preparer, please invite them to join us so they are aware of all the items that can affect agriculture tax returns.

The cost is $5, which covers conference room charges, handouts and refreshments, payable at the door.

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION REVIEW & TEST SESSIONS
Duke Elsner, Agricultural Agent, Grand Traverse County MSU Extension

December 14, Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

December 15, Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth 

Please RSVP

for the Dec. 14 review, call Jackie at the NW Michigan Hort Station, (231) 946-1510
for the Dec. 15 review, call the Antrim County MSU Extension office,(231) 533-8818

2005 NORTHWEST MICHIGAN ORCHARD AND VINEYARD SHOW
Nikki Rothwell, District IPM Agent

The Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show is set for January 18 and 19 at the Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Michigan. So far, we have lined up a group of exciting speakers covering topics such as cherry leaf spot, SI resistance in apples, cherry fruit fly management, and the Tart Cherry Integrated Orchard Management Program (RAMP). Results from the 2003 RAMP survey will be presented by Jean Haley from Chicago-based Haley Consulting Services. Dr. Diane Alston, a participating member of the RAMP team from Utah State University, will speak on the impacts of nematodes against plum curculio. Dr. Mark Whalon, Michigan State University Entomology Department, will address the recent changes in the Endangered Species Act and its implications for Michigan growers. The program will also feature a panel that will discuss the production and marketing trends of the cherry industry in Poland. A second panel will discuss cherry usage trends by market segments and identify major factors influencing future market potential.

This year’s wine grape program will include morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesday, January 18^th. This workshop will focus on grape nutrition and soil management. 

The complete program schedule will be included in the next newsletter.

DATES SET FOR MSU TREE FRUIT IPM SCHOOL!
By Nikki Rothwell, District Fruit IPM Educator

Michigan State University (MSU) will hold its Tree Fruit Integrated Pest Management (IPM) School February 14-16, 2005 at the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

This year’s program is designed to take an in-depth look at new and reoccurring pests in Michigan’s orchards. The school will involve all workshop participants in an exploration of current, innovative and critical techniques to manage the ever-changing complexes of tree fruit diseases and insects. Because the fruit industry has undergone many changes in recent years, program coordinators have gathered researchers and Extension specialists from around the country and around the state to discuss the latest information with growers, consultants, scouts and chemical company field representatives. 

We have applied for Michigan Department of Agriculture’s pesticide applicator recertification credits and Certified Crop Consultant credits for the school. This year’s recertification credits will be useful for all private applicators and 1C commercial applicators. 

The workshop will focus on a variety of topics that affect the tree fruit industry: plum curculio research, apple scab, mites, mullein plant bug, cherry leaf spot, codling moth program update, cherry fruit fly, cherry Risk Avoidance Mitigation Program (RAMP) project, fire blight, and a fruit insect quiz show. Of special interest to those attending the workshop will be the session titled "Functional Ecology." This session is an opportunity for growers to look at the big picture of orchard management, especially looking toward future goals. This project is a collaboration between multiple disciplines that are investigating how to measure sustainability in orchards. The Wednesday morning talk will provide growers with insight to where orchard management is heading as well as provide an opportunity for growers to be part of a new and exciting concept that currently is not being explored anywhere else in the country.

We have two terrific out-of-state speakers: Dr. Betsy Beers and Dr. Ken Johnson. Beers is an expert on mites in orchards and on the mullein bug, Campylomma, a new pest in Michigan orchards. Johnson currently is working on cutting-edge research on the biological control of fire blight.

Two registration options are available for the workshops. The first is traditional registration, which is $325 and includes all speaker fees, two nights lodging at the Kellogg Biological Station, all meals from lunch Monday through breakfast Wednesday, refreshments and a notebook including all speakers’ handouts. Commuter registration is $300 and includes everything in the traditional registration except lodging and breakfast.

For more information on the 2005 MSU Fruit IPM School, call the Northwest Horticultural Research Station at (231) 946-1510.

COST-SHARE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES

The Northwest Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program has $16,000 available for producers in Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse Counties on stewardship practices, which help reduce risk to ground and surface water contamination. Abandoned well closures, proper pesticide and fertilizer storage with containment, moving the mix/fill site away from the wellhead, and proper spill kits are a few of the high priority practices which will help reduce risk on your farm.

These funds are available if you complete a Farm*A*Syst (Farmstead Assessment) on your farm and you are willing to implement a practice. There are four Restricted Use Pesticide re-certification credits available for completing a Farm*A*Syst and two more available for completing an Orchard*A*Syst (Pesticide and Fertilizer Management). Completing a Farm*A*Syst is voluntary and confidential and is the first step in getting your farm verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. Call Dan Busby with the Grand Traverse Conservation District today to set up an appointment. You can reach Dan at the office at 941-4191 or on his mobile at 883-9962.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN LEADS THE STATE IN FARMSTEADS VERIFIED IN THE MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAEAP).

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program is a comprehensive, voluntary, proactive program designed to reduce producers’ legal and environmental risks. MAEAP promotes effective land stewardship practices that comply with state and federal regulations. There are currently 13 out of the 21 farmsteads verified in the state right here in NW Michigan. MAEAP Farmstead verification means that your farm is in compliance with Michigan's Right-to-Farm Act and the applicable Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPS), and other state and federal environmental laws and regulations.

For more information on MAEAP and what this program can do for you, please call Dan Busby at the Grand Traverse Conservation District office at 941-4191, or call your local MSU Extension Ag Agent. 

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

Last Revised: 11-23-04