Established 1979
This 137-acre center sits in the five-county northwestern region that produces almost half of the U.S. supply of tart cherries and is responsible for 83 percent of sweet cherry production in Michigan. Founded through the efforts of the northwestern Michigan area fruit industry, the center is the premier research site for integrated pest management, horticultural production and handling, value-added processing, marketing and farm financial management practices for sweet and tart cherries, wine grapes, apples, plums and hops. In addition to creating and expanding knowledge through leading-edge research on cherries and other fruits, the center disseminates state-of-the-art information to the Michigan fruit industry and the public.
News
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Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 9, 2026
Published on September 9, 2026
Growers are harvesting Premier Honeycrisp and Minnieska apples. Days have been sunny with cooler nights, so color should be improving. -
Michigan Apple Cider Contest returns for 28th edition
Published on September 2, 2026
The Michigan Apple Cider Contest is open to commercial producers and takes place at the Great Lakes Expo on December 9, 2026. -
Michigan statewide apple maturity report – September 2, 2026
Published on September 2, 2026
Keep abreast of the latest apple maturity testing done in different cultivars around the state to optimize harvest times for storage and fresh picking. -
Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 2, 2026
Published on September 2, 2026
Growers have begun harvesting Premier Honeycrisp this week. -
Michigan statewide apple maturity report – August 26, 2026
Published on August 27, 2026
Keep abreast of the latest apple maturity testing done in different cultivars around the state to optimize harvest times for storage and fresh picking.