Are you interested in diversifying into hops production to help supply Michigan’s growing microbrewery sector? Do you want to learn more about hop yard setup and hops pest and disease management? Are you interested in pesticide efficacy and IPM Implementation on the farm? Then you should attend the Michigan State University Extension third annual Integrated Pest Management Academy on Feb. 18-19, 2014, in Okemos, Mich.

MSU IPM Academy will offer a morning hops session, “Hops-Getting Started,” that will cover an introduction to hops, soils and site selection, understanding soil and tissue testing, variety selection, trellising and irrigation, and establishment costs. An afternoon session, “Hops Management,” will cover planting and training hops, fertilizer and nutrient requirements, common insect mite and disease problems, scouting for insects and diseases, weed management and harvesting and processing hops.

In addition to crop-specific sessions, including the workshops on hops production, there will also be sessions on Soil Health, Landscape Design and IPM, Stewardship Pesticides in Michigan Field Crops, Ecologically Based Fruit Pest Management, Managing Pests in Diverse Vegetable Production and much more. Sessions will be taught by MSU professors and MSU Extension educators.

For more information on hops, be sure to visit MSU Resources for Hops as well as the new MSU Hops Facebook page.

The cost of this event is $225. Snacks, lunch and parking are included. Participants also receive a notebook with program material and a complimentary IPM-related MSU bulletin. Michigan pesticide recertification credits will be available; the exact number will be based on session selection, but participants can expect at least seven credits (private or commercial core available).

For more information on the program, a full agenda or registration, visit http://bit.ly/ipm-academy14. If you prefer to register by phone, contact Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu or 517-884-7081.

This program was developed with support from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.