Integrated Pest Management Academy

The Desire to Learn Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Academy is an interactive, online program designed to provide a comprehensive and convenient online learning experience. Current topics include an introduction to IPM, plant science, soils 101, natural enemies, conserving pollinators, Enviroweather and scouting.

Pollinator Protection for Pesticide Applicators

This self-paced, online course about pollinators is directed toward pesticide applicators with a focus on crops pollinated by honey bees.

Pesticide Applicator Training

This course is designed for those who are studying to take the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)Exam or for those who need a refresher on safe pesticide handling. The course material follows the National Pesticide Core Manual. Those who complete the course can receive 12 RUP credits.

What is IPM and How do you do it?

Published on March 21, 2022

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

Growing organic apples

Growing organic apples in Michigan is a difficult thing to do. There are three major struggles: effective pest control for insects, diseases and weeds.

Recorded video of “Using the 2025 Michigan Apple Cost of Production Study”

Published on August 8, 2025

This is a video recording of the August 8, 2025 webinar “Using the 2025 Michigan Apple Cost of Production Study”. The main results of the study are covered, and production and establishment costs are reviewed. During the video, we look at per bushel and per bin costs, break-evens for both semidwarf and high density plantings, and how to adjust the results to a farm's specific numbers.

Fruit Presenter Panel Discussion of the Week's Horticultural Topics

Published on March 4, 2022

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.

Beginning Fruit

Published on February 21, 2024

Nothing compares to farm fresh fruit, but growing fruit can be a little more complicated than one would initially think. This session will cover the basics of fruit production and dispel some common myths that viral videos might have led you to believe

Do spotted wing drosophila traps impact infestation?

Published on February 6, 2020

Dr. Nikki Rothwell of Michigan State University Extension and AgBioResearch talks about preliminary research investigating how spotted wing drosophila traps could influence the risk of infested fruit.

Bee Integrated: Creating Bee Forage in Michigan

Published on March 2, 2022

When bees are facing diseases and pesticide exposure, good pollen and nectar sources are vital in helping them survive. Michigan State University Extension's Ana Heck, farmer Mike Van Agtmael, and Bee Informed Partnership field specialist Dan Wyns describe the importance of pollinator habitat in this Bee Integrated video.

Improving tree fruit nutrient, pesticide application processes

Researchers at Clarksville Research Center are conducting a multi-state, multi-disciplinary study to develop a new way of getting foliar inputs into apples and cherries.

Michigan Tree Fruit Commission - Working in new ways to advance the industry

Published on April 1, 2024

The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission was created in 2014 with a focus on upgrading MSU research center infrastructure for apple, cherry, peach and plum projects.

Insurance Talk With Phil and Corey - 2025 Updates to Apple and Cherry Insurance

Published on October 11, 2024

Learn about the latest updates to apple and cherry crop insurance programs for the 2025 season.

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

Published on March 24, 2022

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.

Annual spotted wing drosophila population variability in Michigan

Published on February 6, 2020

Dr. Julianna Wilson of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University talks about spotted wing drosophila populations in Michigan.

Influences of overwintering conditions and seasonal relative humidity on SWD populations

Published on February 6, 2020

Dr. Rufus Isaacs of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University talks about how environmental factors influence spotted wing drosophila (SWD) populations.

Tree Fruit and Small Fruit Varieties in Michigan

Published on February 3, 2022

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

Spotted wing drosophila insecticide efficacy and management programs

Published on February 6, 2020

Dr. Larry Gut of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University talks about insecticide efficacy and management programs for spotted wing drosophila in cherries.

Bee Integrated: Bees and Pesticides

Published on March 2, 2022

In this Bee Integrated video, farmer Mike Van Agtmael describes how integrated pest management and good communication with his beekeeper, Jim Hilton, keeps bees healthy and pollination productive. Beekeeper Jamie Ostrowski describes a "perfect storm" that harmed some of her bees—and how she and Matt Jansen of Green Thumb Blueberries collaborate to protect her hives.

Christopher Gottschalk

Christopher Gottschalk with MSU's Plant Breeding, Genetics and Technology, is researching a red-flesh and cultivar breeding project in apples.