Organic fruit growers will have a chance to learn about the latest research at a field day Nov. 2 at Al-Mar (Jim Koan) Orchards near Flushing.

The field day begins at 9 a.m. with an update from the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA) and the Rodale Institute. Participants will also be briefed on the new organic research initiative formed between Michigan State University (MSU) and the Gerber Products Company.

MSU researchers will relay first-year findings from an integrated pilot project evaluating the role that grazing pigs can play in reducing plum curculio damage to apples and share proposed plans for 2008. Other presentations will address the role that nematodes play in controlling codling moth and plum curculio, apple scab control field study results and the role that bioengineering can play in managing leafroller. An overview of organic field trial results from the Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station will also be presented.

Topic presenters include George Bird, MSU professor emeritus of entomology; Dave Epstein, MSU integrated pest management program tree fruit integrator; Dale Mutch, MSU Extension cover crop specialist; Dale Rozeboom, MSU professor of animal science; Mark Whalon and Larry Gut, MSU professors of entomology; and field day host Jim Koan.

Handouts will be available on additional topics, including biodiversity and sustainability, functional ecology measures and companion planting for natural enemies.

There is no cost to attend the field day, and lunch is included.For more information on the field day, contact David Epstein by calling (517) 432-4766 or (517) 896-9480, or sending an e-mail to [email protected].