Jackie Perkins

Jun 17, 2024 | canr.msu.edu | Jackie Perkins |Derek Plotkowski

Michigan State University (MSU) has many scientists who prioritize their research based on the most urgent needs of Michigan’s fruit industries. This article highlights some of the exciting projects recently funded across MSU fruit researchers. This article is not an exhaustive list, and there are many excellent MSU research projects currently underway that are not mentioned here.

Apr 16, 2024 | canr.msu.edu | Jackie Perkins |Ana Heck

Bees and other pollinators will soon emerge or arrive on farms as the warming weather continues to push fruit crops closer to bloom. Whether you are a fruit grower who rents honey bee hives from a beekeeper or depend on wild bees for crop pollination, you can protect these vital insects so they can provide pollination and contribute to high quality and abundant yields. A primary concern for pollinator health during bloom is pesticide exposure.

Jan 19, 2024 | canr.msu.edu | Jackie Perkins |Ana Heck

Early planning for pollination of fruit crops can help to ensure that you have the right number of quality honey bee colonies delivered to your farm at the right time for peak crop bloom. Oftentimes, growers will work with beekeepers to plan for hive rentals using informal “handshake” agreements, however these types of informal agreements can cause miscommunication and lead to problems with bee health or inadequate pollination.

Jan 5, 2024 | canr.msu.edu | Jackie Perkins |Cheyenne Sloan |Emily Lavely |Lindsay Brown |Erin Lauwers

Michigan State University Extension is excited to announce the upcoming Fruit School being held near the Michigan State University (MSU) campus Feb. 26-28, 2024. This unique program willuse a whole-systems approach to address the complex decisions and biological interactions that occur in small fruit and tree fruit production systems.