CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2004

1/10-1/12         Empire State Fruit & Veg Expo.
                             Rochester, NY

1/14-3/17       Tilling the Soil of Opportunity
                            Traverse City

1/20-21           NW Michigan Orchard & Vineyard Show
                            Grand Traverse Resort

1/20                MAEAP Educational Session
                            Grand Traverse Resort

1/22                CIAB Meeting
                            Grand Traverse Resort

1/27-28          SW MI Irrigation Workshop
                            SWMREC, Benton Harbor

1/28-30          MSU Fruit School
                           Clarksville

1/31               Northern Michigan Small
                       Farm Conference
                           Gaylord

2/17-3/16      Cherry IPM Scout Training
                           NWMHRS

2/19-4/1        Blueberry IPM Scout Training
                          Trevor Nichols Research Complex
                          Fennville

3/1-4              IDFTA Tour/Conference
                          Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy

3/31-4/1        53^rd Benzie - Manistee Horticultural Show
                       Crystal Mt Resort, Thompsonville
 

A NOTE OF THANKS
By Jim Bardenhagen, Jim Nugent, Duke Elsner, Steve Fouch & Stan Moore

By now, you have likely heard the Good News that MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Michigan Ag Experiment Station (MAES) will receive 0% budget cuts from this round of the Governor’s budget reductions to balance the state budget.

This outcome is the result of the overwhelming support expressed to the Governor and legislators by you and a large number of people, organizations and commodity groups throughout the state. We are very thankful that you and others recognized the value of the MSUE and MAES programs/research and spoke out, and that our Governor and the legislature listened and responded in such a positive way.

We are very grateful for this outcome, which will allow MSUE & MAES to move forward, providing research based educational programming that addresses locally identified issues. We look forward to working with you to continue our long-standing partnership dedicated to working on the research and educational programs that you and other Michigan citizens & communities value.

Thanks again for taking the time to make the contacts to the Governor and our legislators – it truly helped to make a difference.

NW MICHIGAN ORCHARD & VINEYARD SHOW

The NW Michigan Orchard & Vineyard Show will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20^th and 21^st, at the Grand Traverse Resort. The program includes the Cherry Marketing Institute's Annual Meeting Wednesday morning followed by CMI's luncheon at 12:30. The Orchard/Vineyard Show is sponsored by The Grand Traverse Fruit Growers' Council and MSU Extension. We want to thank the vendors and commercial sponsors that make this show possible. The agenda is included in this newsletter.

The grape and wine program will be expanded to a full day for 2004, running from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  Topics will include: management costs for NW Michigan Vineyards; a panel discussion on vineyard recovery from severe cold injury; crown gall concerns following March 2003 by Thomas Schulz from Ontario, Canada; grape berry moth and spider mite management by Dr. Rufus Isaacs of MSU; a look at effectiveness and costs of hilling vines to protect then from severe temperatures by Dr. Tom Zabadal of MSU; and a discussion on the MSU Viticulture & Enology degree program and how it can serve the educational needs of NW Michigan vineyards and wineries.

CHERRY INDUSTRY ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD INDUSTRY MEETING

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, 8:00 a.m.
Grand Traverse Resort
Growers and processors are welcome to attend.

MSU FRUIT SCHOOL TO FOCUS ON ‘FACTORS FOR SUCCESS’ WITH APPLES
By Jim Nugent, District Horticulturist, MSUE

Factors for success in modern apple production will be the focus of the 2004 Fruit School, January 28-30, at the Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station. Horticulturists will cover apple growing from the ground up – literally – starting with selection of an appropriate site and good soil for fruit growing. Other sessions will look at designing the orchard, selecting varieties, pruning and training trees, meeting trees’ nutritional needs and using growth regulators. Considerations in deciding to grow apples organically will also be covered.

The sessions will be presented by MSU researchers and faculty and Extension staff members. Participants will spend time in the experiment station’s orchards to view research plots and various planting, pruning and training systems.

The cost of the three-day school is $200 for Michigan residents and $250 for participants from out-of-
state. The deadline for pre-registration is Jan. 19. A late registration fee of $25 applies after that date.

A registration form is available at http://www.hrt.msu.edu/outreach/Fruit/FruitSchool_Registration.htm

To secure a place in the school, return the completed form and send it with payment (check payable to Michigan State University, Visa or MasterCard) to Sandy Allen, MSU Fruit School, A222 Plant and Soil Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1325. Registration includes Wednesday and Thursday lunch and dinner and Friday lunch, taxes, educational materials and enrollment fee. A block of rooms has been reserved for fruit school participants at the Courtyard by Marriott (616-954-0500) in Grand Rapids. To receive the special fruit school rate, participants must make reservations by January 9.

For more information, phone or e-mail Sandy Allen at 517-355-5191, ext 339 or allens@msu.edu, or fax 517-353-0890. Information is also available at www.hrt.msu.edu/outreach/Fruit/FruitSchool.htm.

MSU OFFERS NEW CHERRY IPM SCOUT TRAINING PROGRAM
By Jim Nugent and Duke Elsner, Extension Ag Agent, Grand Traverse & Kalkaska Counties

A new IPM Scout Training Program will be offered through Michigan State University in 2004, targeting integrated pest management (IPM) practices in cherries. This program will combine classroom, laboratory and field training elements to provide a comprehensive, hands-on educational experience for enhancing the quality of IPM pest scouting in the Michigan fruit industry. This program is geared towards farm employees and family members, independent crop consultants, and agricultural chemical company field representatives.

The program will be held at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station in Traverse City, Michigan. It will begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 from 1 pm – 4 pm. Classes will go for five weeks ending on Tuesday, March 16, 2004. There will also be summer field training sessions that will be held once a month, dates to be announced. Cost of the program is $500. Because of supplemental funding from MSU GREEEN, there will be some scholarships available. Please email Anne Hanley at: hanleyan@msu.edu or call 269-561-5040, ext.113 for more information. You can also visit the MSU Trevor Nichols Research Complex website for further training program details: http://www.maes.msu.edu/tnrc/images/cherry brochure web.pdf

SW MICHIGAN IRRIGATION WORKSHOP

MSU offers a two-day irrigation workshop to benefit anyone associated with agricultural irrigation, on January 27-28 at the SW Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor. Morning sessions will cover general information on hydrogeology, including social, environmental and regulatory concerns. During the afternoon on both days there will be concurrent sessions on drip and overhead irrigation.

For more information or to request a brochure, contact the NW MI Horticultural Research Station,
946-1510, or via email: nwmihort@msue.msu.edu.

MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAEAP) UPDATE
By Dan Busby, Groundwater Stewardship Program, Grand Traverse Soil Conservation District

The New Farm*A*Syst – Why Complete a Farmstead Assessment?

*To protect our water and soil resources
*For your family’s health and safety
*To help you conform with:

-Michigan Right to Farm guidelines (GAAMPs)
-Other State and Federal regulations

-Cost share dollars
-Farm insurance discounts
-MAEAP Farmstead System verification

To learn more about the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, attend the MAEAP Phase I educational session on Tuesday, January 20 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show. Attendance at a MAEAP Phase I educational session is required for those that are interested in completing Farmstead System verification. Two RUP recertification credits have been applied for this educational session.

The owner of a MAEAP-verified farmstead will be eligible for incentives and can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing his/her farmstead practices are in conformance with state and federal laws, including the Right-to-Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs).

Call Dan Busby to schedule a Farmstead assessment at 941-4191 or you can contact him by email at dbusby@gtcd.org .

EXTENSION AGENT RETURNS TO AREA

Steve Fouch, who began his career at the NW MI Horticultural Research Station and most recently served as Ag Agent in Emmet County, was named MSU Extension Director for Benzie County in July 2003. Steve has a Master's Degree in Fruit Production and will be working closely with the NW MI fruit growers and the other MSUE Ag Agents in the five county area. Steve can be reached by phone at 231/882-0025, by fax at 231/882-9605, or via email: fouch@msue.msu.edu.

2004 MAPLE SYRUP WINTER MEETING
by Jim Bardenhagen, Leelanau MSUE Director & Russell Kidd, MSUE District Forestry Agent

The 2004 winter meeting for maple syrup producers will be held on Saturday, January 17^th from 8:30 am – 3:15pm at the Doherty Hotel Conference Center in Clare.

This year’s program will feature the Glenn Goodrich Farm in Cabot, Vermont. Other topics include: MSU Product Center for Ag, sugar bush management, building roads and trails in your sugar bush, tips on mail order/catalog/internet sales, cleaning up after the syrup season and more.

There will be a beginner’s session for commercial producers offered and maple syrup suppliers will be exhibiting maple syrup equipment.

The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children. If interested, call your local MSU Extension office for a registration form.

TELFARM WORKSHOP
By Jim Bardenhagen, Leelanau MSU Extension Director

The Telfarm Center at MSU will be offering a workshop to demonstrate the Telfarm for Windows Accounting and Checkwriter© Programs. We would like to invite any farm operation looking for a computerized record keeping system to attend. Current users will learn how to use these programs to their best advantage.

When: Thursday, January 29, 2004
Time: 9 am – Noon
Where: Antrim County MSU Extension Office
Cost: Free

Registration is required. You can use the registration form below to fax or mail or provide the information below in an email or phone call.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
(include the information below if calling or sending an email)
 

Name: _____________________________ Telfarm Number: ______________

Phone #1: _______________ Phone #2: _____________ # Attending: _______

Workshop Date: __________ Workshop Location: _______________________

To register by mail, send this form to:
Telfarm Center
Michigan State University
414 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039

To register by phone, fax or email:
Phone: (517) 355-4700
Fax: (517) 432-9805
Email: telfarm@msue.msu.edu

TILLING THE SOIL OF OPPORTUNITY
by Jim Bardenhagen, Leelanau MSU Extension Director

A "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" class, a nationally recognized and tested agricultural entrepreneurship program, will help you grow your agricultural business. Michigan State University Extension, the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center is offering this 10-week business planning class for northwest Michigan food entrepreneurs, agri-businesses and farmers thinking about analyzing their current business, or starting a business or those wanting to expand their business prospects into more profitable ventures.

Tilling the Soil of Opportunity will cover:

• What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur
• How to develop & test your business concept
• How to organize & manage your business
• How to understand & get your financials in order
• How to research & market your business
• How & where to get funding for your business
• How to network with other entrepreneurs
• How to determine the feasibility of your business concept.

When: Every Wednesday from January 14 - March 17, 2004
Time: 6:00-9:30 pm
Location: Michigan Works Building in Traverse City (1209 S. Garfield Ave.)
Cost: $250 – Early Registration (by Jan. 5^th)
$350 – Registration after Jan. 5th
$100 – For each additional member of the business

If you are interested in attending or want more information, please call any of the contacts listed below for more details and a registration brochure.

Producers will receive an extensive course book and have local experts teaching various parts of the class. Wendy Wieland and Jim Bardenhagen of Michigan State University Extension and Bill Palladino of Small Business & Technology Development Center will facilitate the class. Class size is limited to allow one-on-one work with students.

CONTACT:

Wendy Wieland                     Bill Palladino                   Jim Bardenhagen
Value-Added Agriculture           Regional Director                Director, Leelanau County
Program Manager,                   MI Small Business              MSU Extension
Northern Lakes Econ. Alliance  & Technology Dev. Ctr.        116 E. Philip St.
MSU Extension                       P.O. Box 506                      Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
PO Box 8, 1313 Boyne Ave.     1206 S. Garfield Ave.,Ste C  231-256-9888 phone
Boyne City, MI 49712               Traverse City, MI 49685       bardenha@msue.msu.edu
231-582-6482 phone                 231-922-3780 phone
wieland5@msu.edu               bpalladi@nwm.cog.mi.us

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

Last Revised: 12-29-03