NWMHRC Bus Tour and Summer Gathering
August 27, 2026 8:00AM - 7:00PM
Contact: Nikki Rothwell at rothwel3@msu.edu
The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation, the Benzie-Manistee Horticulture Society, and Michigan State University are partnering for a day-long technology day on August 27, 2026. The bus tour will feature drones, electric weeders, smart spray technology, autonomous tractors, platforms, and more all in real orchard settings. Hop on the bus and get ready to see cutting edge technology built for use in orchard systems. Tentative agenda below. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-2026-bus-tour-and-technology-demonstration-day-tickets-1992428731972?aff=oddtdtcreator
We will end the day at the NWMHRC for happy hour and annual dinner! The happy hour and annual dinner is free for all and open to everyone. The happy hour and dinner at the NWMHRC are free and open to the public.
Summer 2026 Bus Tour and Technology Demonstration Day Tentative Agenda
August 27, 2026
Collaboration of the Benzie Manistee Horticultural Society, Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center Foundation, MSU Extension and AgBioResearch
Meet at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center
6686 S. Center Highway, Traverse City, Michigan
8:00-8:30 Coffee and Donuts
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center
6686 S. Center Highway, Traverse City, Michigan
8:30 Board bus for Grand Traverse/Antrim County
8:30-9:15 Travel to Bratschi Orchards
9511 Elk Lake Road, Williamsburg, Michigan 49690
9:15-10:15 Irrigation Trial in Premier Honeycrisp, Bratschi Orchards
Jack Sinnaeve, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU
Dr. Younsuk Dong, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering, MSU
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, NWMHRC
10:15-10:45 Electric Weeder Demonstration
Dr. Joshua Miranda, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU
10:45-11:15 Travel to Cherry Ke Orchards
9636 Western Road, Rapid City, Mi, 49676
11:15-12:00 LandLady Platform Demonstration
Talon Felker, Cherry Ke Orchards
Mark Evans, Evans Brothers Company
12:00-12:45 LUNCH
12:45-1:30 Demonstration of Commercial Smart Sprayer and 2.0 USDA Sprayer
Dr. Mike Reinke, SWMREC and MSU Extension
Talon Felker, Cherry Ke Orchards
1:30-2:15 Demonstration of LJ Tech Autonomous Sprayer
Dr. Mike Reinke, SWMREC and MSU Extension
2:15-3:00 Fendt Tractor Demonstration
Talon Felker, Cherry Ke Orchards
3:00-3:45 Travel to NWMHRC
3:45-4:30 Drone Demonstration and Honeycrisp Thinning Trial
Dr. Keith Ackerman, Airway Ag
Dr. Mike Reinke, MSU Extension
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, NWMHRC, MSU
Emma Megill, Cherry Bay Orchards
4:30-5:00 Using UV Light to Reduce Pseudomonas and Erwinia Populations
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, NWMHRC, MSU
4:45-5:30 Rears power blast with sonic spray demonstration
Craig Gillison, Gillison’s Variety Fabrication
5:30 Happy Hour and Dinner (The happy hour and dinner at the NWMHRC are free and open to the public.)
Event Location
6686 S. Center Highway
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-946-1510
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