The Theme for the conference will be “IFTA 2.0 – The Precision Generation”. This conference will build on the “Profitable Orchard Management” theme established in snowy Nova Scotia at the last IFTA annual conference. Michigan grows many different tree fruit species and this diversity will be featured in all parts of the 2016 meeting – the pre-conference intensive workshop, the annual workshops, the orchard tours and the optional post-conference tour. Various aspects of the conference will stress precision orcharding of apples, sweet and tart cherries, peaches and apricots.
Today’s tree fruit growers are now developing management skills using new technologies to grow and produce fruit with the help of precision approaches and it is our goal to highlight this as your Michigan IFTA host. Precision orchard systems are popular with all growers and especially young growers. We will feature many topics including orchard systems, training systems, nutrition, irrigation, fertigation, chemigation, pest control, mechanization and harvest and post-harvest handling and storage. All these topics fit well with the orchard systems being planted today and into the future. The pre-conference intensive workshop will also build on last year’s theme and will feature “Growing the Moneymakers: Honeycrisp, Gala, Fujis.” It will cover the gamut of topics specific to the culture of these three high value varieties. We plan to emphasize topics that cover the nuances a grower needs to know to find success and profitability in growing these modern apple varieties.
Registration Rates:
Pre-Conference Intensive Workshop (Saturday, Feb 6): $175
Full Conference (Sunday, Feb 7-Wednesday, Feb 10): $499
Awards Banquet (Monday, Feb 8): $65
Post-Conference Tour (Thursday, Feb 11 - Saturday, Feb 13 - includes two nights of accommodations):
Single Occupancy: $550
Double Occupancy $450
Package Discount - Save 10% - (includes Pre-Conference Intensive Workshop, Full Conference and Post-Conference Tour):
Single Occupancy: $1,102
Double Occupancy $1,012
Pre-Conference Optional Tours (Sunday, Feb 7):
Grand Rapids Area Tour: $25
Michigan State University Clarksville Research Tour (includes lunch): $50
Lakeshore Tour of Lake Michigan in Winter: $25
Additional Orchard Tour Tickets (Tuesday, Feb 9): $75
