West Michigan Bus Tour 2025
About this Event
Michigan State University Extension and the Benzie-Manistee Horticultural Society present
West Michigan Bus Tour 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025
7:00 Bus departs from NWMHRC
7:30 Bus pick-up at Meijer’s, 3955 US 31, Traverse City, MI 49684
8:15 Bus pick-up at Ellen’s Corner, 6052 W. M-115, Mesick, MI 49668
Travel to Hart, MI
9:30-10:30 Van Agtmael Orchards, 2171 N 144th Ave. Hart, MI 49420
Mike VanAgtmael
- Top worked high-density Honeycrisp
- Pruning demonstration
- Phil Schwallier, MSU Extension Emeritus
10:30-11:10 Travel to Walkerville, MI
11:15-12:00 Crystal Orchards, LLC. 3410 E. Van Buren Walkerville, MI
Scott Swindeman
- High-density Honeycrisp (5th leaf Royal Red G.969, 4th leaf Firestorm G.969, 3rd leaf Firestorm G.969)
- High-density RaveÒ planting: 5th leaf G.41
- Vivid Machines: how Vivid X Vision system can be used for fruit estimates/bins counts
12:00-12:45 River Ridge, 5009 E. Harrison Road Walkerville, MI 49459
Justin Finkler
- High-density sweet cherry planting (Coral Champagne Gi.12, Tamara Gi.12, Black Pearl K.6, Skeena Gi.12, Sweetheart K.6)
- Pruning demonstration for high-density sweet cherry
- Dr. Greg Lang, Professor Emeritus, MSU
12:45-1:45 Travel to Grant, MI
- Box lunch on the bus
1:45-2:45 River Ridge Cider Co., 14046 Mason Drive, Grant, MI 49327
- Tour of cider plant/fresh sweet cherry packing line
- Divide into two groups, tour, and switch
2:45-3:00 Travel to Honeycrisp planting
3:00-4:00 Three-year old Honeycrisp planting, 16530 Hall Road Casnovia, MI 49318
Justin Finkler
- Royal Red Honeycrisp: Pajam 2, Bud 10, G.41, G.11, G.969
- WiseConn irrigation system
4:00 Bus departs for northern Michigan
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station, 6686 South Center Highway, Traverse City, United States
