*  Michigan State University Extension Potato Research Update
Steve Whittington is an Extension Field Crops Educator based in Montcalm County, MI. Montcalm County is the county with the largest output of potatoes in Michigan. Steve will give an overview of the potato industry in Michigan as well as the important research taking place in Michigan including soil health studies, seed depth and spacing, variety testing and development and more.
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Steve Whittington - Michigan State University
  
*  Potato Disease Management for Market Growers
Dr. Jaime Willbur is a potato and sugar beet pathologist at Michigan State University. She will discuss current potato disease management issues for market growers including disease identification and management,  early and late blight concerns, and fungicide label and trial updates.
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Jaime Willbur - Michigan State University

*  Soil Health in Potato Systems
Kaitlin Gattoni is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Christine Sprunger’s soil health lab at Michigan State University. The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) in partnership with the Sprunger lab began a project to identify the impact of potato farming on soil health. The goal of this research is to identify which management practices (i.e., tillage, cover crops, amendments, pest management) best promote soil health. This project will also identify which soil health aspects (i.e., beneficial nematodes, soil carbon, etc.) correspond to increased yield and quality of potatoes. This presentation will showcase our results, including nematode community dynamics and how this relates to soil health.
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Katie Gattoni - Michigan State University