One of the most prolific industries in the state of Michigan will fire up for the season next month ahead of the growing season when our region hosts the annual Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days Conference at Lake Michigan College.
There are just under 10 million acres of farmland in Michigan, and the state is home to roughly 47,600 farms. In fact, the food and agriculture industry contributes $104.7 billion annually to the state’s economy.
Michigan’s food and agriculture system is a large portion of the state’s workforce, with total employment resulting from the sector at approximately 805,000, which accounts for about 17-percent of the state’s employment.
Michigan produces more than 300 commodities on a commercial basis, including tart cherries, blueberries, dry beans, floriculture products, and cucumbers for pickles, with many of those being grown in fields, vineyards and orchards right here in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
The Michigan Grape Society and Michigan State University Extension in partnership with Lake Michigan College will host the annual Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days conference on February 5th and 6th at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center, located at 2755 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor.
Registration begins at 8 am both days and all educational sessions begin at 9 am. Discussion of production issues will be led by MSU Extension agents, fruit growers, and university researchers. There will be educational sessions on tree fruits, vegetables, blueberries and grapes on both days.
A new session on hemp production will also be offered this year. The event also features a trade show, and restricted use pesticide re-certification credits have been requested.
Registration cost is $65 per person and is also payable at the door. You can mail your registration to: Michigan Grape Society, P.O. Box 151, Baroda, MI 49101, Attention: Allen Zelmer. Make checks payable to the Michigan Grape Society.
For registration information only, you can call Allen Zelmer at 269-870-5265. To view program details of specific presentations, click the link below:
2020-SWM-Horticulture-Days-Registration
Online registration for credit card payment is available at this link:
https://michigangrapesociety.simpletix.com/
Credit card payment will also be accepted at the door.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request accommodations by calling 269-944-1477 by January 29th, to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after that date will be met when possible.
