Michigan State University will open a new AgBioResearch center in Hart, Michigan, in partnership with West Central Michigan Horticultural Research Inc., a nonprofit organization established in 2019 to support agriculture in Oceana, Mason and Newaygo counties.

The Earl & Linda Peterson West Michigan Research Station will conduct research related to the specific growing environment of the region, with an emphasis on tree fruit (apples, peaches, pears, tart cherries and sweet cherries) and asparagus. The 68 acres of farmland are specifically designed to help better understand the soil and micro-climate specific to west-central Michigan. 

“This new partnership has allowed us to establish a new center to conduct research related to the unique growing conditions of the area, while also establishing an AgBioResearch station in a region of the state where we previously had little presence,” said MSU AgBioResearch Director Doug Buhler.

Read full story at AgBioResearch.