Hands-on irrigation workshops for commercial tree fruit growers in Hart and Sparta

Emily Lavely<lavelyem@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - October 30, 2025

After such a dry growing season, irrigation was critical for many commercial tree fruit orchards. Join MSU Extension for a hands-on, outdoor workshop to discuss challenges this year and learn how to evaluate your irrigation system.

Drip line used for irrigation in newly planted and established apple trees. Photo by Emily Lavely, MSU Extension.

Join Michigan State University Extension for a hands-on irrigation workshop, offered in Hart and Sparta, Nov. 4 and 5, for commercial tree fruit growers.

This workshop is a post-season evaluation of irrigation successes and challenges for commercial tree fruit growers. With such little rainfall this season, irrigation was heavily used in many orchards to manage soil moisture, tree health and fruit quality. Workshop speakers include Younsuk Dong, PhD, Michigan State University irrigation specialist; Brenden Kelley and Angie Gradiz (Hart only), water use efficiency and irrigation educators; and Lyndon Kelley, water management and irrigation educator.

During this workshop, we will learn how to monitor water pressure and flow through the irrigation system. Our team will demonstrate how irrigation water is moving through the soil profile through blue dye and uniformity demonstrations. We will discuss backflow prevention and water quality sensors and how they can be used to manage fertigation and chemigation practices. At the Hart location, we will also learn about the automatic irrigation system installed at Palmer Orchards in 2025.

Soil pit showing blue dye infiltration pattern, with a yellow subsoil layer, measuring tape for scale, and note reading “Single ½ gph 20 min.” — Blue dye test to demonstrate the movement of irrigation water into the soil profile. Photo by Younsuk Dong, MSU.

Whether you are new to irrigation or have been using irrigation for a long time, bring your questions and concerns about irrigation this season!

We will be outside so please dress accordingly. Restricted use pesticides and certified crop adviser credits have been requested. If you have questions, reach out to Emily Lavely at lavelyem@msu.edu or 814-409-8325.

We hope to see you there!

Hart location

Date: Tuesday, November 4
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Registration begins at 9 a.m.)
Location: Palmer Orchards (formerly Rennhack Orchards), 2202 N 72nd Ave, Hart, MI 49420

Sparta location

Date: Wednesday, November 5
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Registration begins at 9 a.m.)
Location: Schweitzer Orchards, 7744 Baumhoff Ave NW, Sparta, MI 49345

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).