Saskatoon growers education tour on June 17 in Grand Traverse area

Participants will learn about the commercial production of saskatoon berries, featuring cultural practices for mature bearing, young bearing and newly planted berry plants.

Saskatoon berries. Photo: Duke Elsner, MSU Extension.
Saskatoon berries. Photo: Duke Elsner, MSU Extension.

Michigan State University Extension and the Saskatoon Berry Institute of North America are hosting a Saskatoon Growers Education Tour of three saskatoon berry production sites in the Grand Traverse, Michigan area on Friday, June 17, 2016. This event is free and pre-registration is not required. Participants need to provide their own transportation to the meeting sites.

The tour will begin at 8:15 a.m. at Jacob's Corn Maze, 7100 East Traverse Hwy. (M-72 West), Traverse City, MI 49684. This stop will feature discussions and demonstrations on cultural practices for older plants, pruning methods, pest insects and comparisons of varieties led by me, small fruit MSU Extension educator.

At 10 a.m. the tour will arrive at the farm of Jim Dixon in Williamsburg, Michigan, where the care of young bearing plants and fruit marketing opportunities will be discussed. The final stop will be at the Saskatoon Michigan Farm and Nursery, also in Williamsburg, Michigan, at 11 a.m. Owner Steve DuCheney will lead a discussion on tips for planting new stock and caring for young plants.

Participants are invited to meet at Mr. C’s Pub and Grill, 9009 M-72, Williamsburg, MI 49690, to continue their conversations about saskatoon berries over lunch at 12:30 p.m. For further details on the tour, contact Steve Ducheney at 231-360-0311, or Duke Elsner at elsner@msu.edu.

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