MSU Extension Beginning Farmer

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  Register now for the 2022 Pre-Bloom Blueberry Meeting

  Published on May 10, 2022
  Growers can attend our pre-bloom blueberry meeting on May 18 in-person in Fennville or via Zoom.

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  What should I do if I find a swarm of bees?

  Published on May 10, 2022
  Contact a local beekeeper if you find a swarm of honey bees.

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  How profitable does 2022 look for your farm?

  Published on April 12, 2022
  The MSU Cash Flow Estimator can help your farm answer this question.

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  Pollinator supportive trees and shrubs for farm and orchard windbreaks

  Published on April 8, 2022
  Fruit growers can support bee health and other wildlife by thoughtfully selecting woody plants for their windbreaks.

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  Production Record Accuracy Check Template

  Published on April 6, 2022
  A Microsoft Excel tool to assist producers with reconciling production records for accuracy and completeness.

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  Bulletin E-3424 Marketing Fresh Produce via Direct to Consumer and Intermediated Markets

  Published on March 31, 2022
  The guide provides an overview of direct and intermediated marketing channels, including quality standards, insurance and food safety considerations, communication, skills, pricing, and typical customer profiles.

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  Monday night southwest Michigan fruit IPM meetings are back April 11

  Published on March 29, 2022
  These weekly updates, held virtually and in person, will keep growers current on pest and disease developments throughout the season and offer RUP credits.

• Key Wildlife Pests of Fruit and How to Promote and Protect Pollinators in Fruit Systems

  Learn more about key wildlife pests to be on the lookout for as well as how you can promote and protect pollinators on your operation.

• Key Insect Pests and Diseases of Small Fruits

  Diseases and pests can show up quickly to ruin fruit crops. This video will help you learn the basics, including management strategies, for important small fruit diseases and pests common in our region.

• Key Insect Pests and Diseases of Tree Fruits

  Diseases, and pests can show up quickly to ruin fruit crops. This session will help you learn the basics, including management strategies, for important tree fruit diseases and pests common in our region.

• What is IPM and How do you do it?

  Learn more about integrated pest management and how to implement IPM practices on your farm.

• Fruit Presenter Panel Discussion of the Week's Horticultural Topics

  Attendees at the MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference who participated in the fruit track, week 1 with horticultural topics were able to hear from an expert panel of presenters from the week's sessions. This panel spent the Friday hour answering attendee submitted questions based on the week's topics.

• Digging in: How to pick and prepare a site for a fruit planting

  Join Emily Lavely to learn more about how to pick the best location and prepare it for planting fruit.

• Tree Fruit and Small Fruit Varieties in Michigan

  Bill Shane and Cheyenne Sloan will discuss the varieties of tree fruit and small fruit best suited for growing in Michigan.

• The Why and How for Training, Pruning, and Crop Management in Small Fruit and Tree Fruit

  Learn more about the reasons for training and pruning, as well as examples on how to train, prune and manage the crop in small fruit and tree fruit

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  Michigan pesticide applicator review sessions, recertifications credits and testing options for winter 2022

  Published on February 1, 2022
  Frequently asked questions about when and where pesticide applicators can earn education credits or take the certification exam. Additional sites have been added for Restricted Use Pesticide Core Reviews and MDARD exams.

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  Sign up now for the 2022 MSU Organic Farmer Training Program

  Published on January 31, 2022
  Hands-on, goal-oriented learning beginning March 7, 2022.

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  Second careers in sustainable agriculture

  Published on January 18, 2022
  MSU Organic Farmer Training Program and other MSU programs welcome retirees and career-shifters starting farms.

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  Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days will be live and in-person Feb. 2-3, 2022

  Published on January 13, 2022
  Register now! Sessions for fruit and vegetable growers. This year’s special session is on marketing.

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  MSU Organic Farmer Training Program graduates grow their farm vision

  Published on December 23, 2021
  Nineteen talented beginning and aspiring farmers gain skills to grow food and community.