The Minnesota Apple Growers Association (MAGA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Educational Seminar, which will be held at the La Crescent Area Event Center in La Crescent, MN, on Wednesday, January 7, and Thursday, January 8.
We’ve put together another engaging and informative agenda, incorporating your feedback and focusing on the most relevant topics in our industry. While the final agenda will be released soon, here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting sessions planned:
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Uncertainty and Opportunity in the Orchard – Chris Gerlach, Vice President, Insights and Analytics, US Apple
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Superior Fruit Innovation: SweeTango® Update – Matt Clark, Director of Research, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Adam Bolton, Technology Licensing officer, UMN
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New UMN Apple Varieties –Sarah Kostick, Researcher, UMN, and Jack Tillman, Researcher, UMN
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Fruit Breeding Program Overview – Matt Clark, Director of Research, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Kate Scapanski, Researcher, UMN
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Best Practices for Cultivating Pollinator Habitat & IPM Strategies – Madeline Wimmer, Extension Educator, Food Systems & Fruit Production, UMN
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Trellis & Exclusion Netting: Benefits, Insights, and What Growers Can Expect – Dustin Lopez, Owner, Pioneer Hill Orchard & Ranch, and Gene Thompson, Owner, Thompsons' Hillcrest Orchard
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Rootstock Innovations, and Crop Load – Lee Kalcsits, Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Environmental Physiology and Management, WSU
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Know Your Audience, Tell Your Story: Using Market Insights and Media to Grow Your Local Brand – Mallory Forseth, Sr State Program Administrator - Minnesota Grown, MDA
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Getting the Most Out of Grants – AURI, USDA
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And much more!
Please note: these sessions and topics are in the works so they may be subject to change.
We’ll also be hosting another Growers Roundtable, so if you have burning questions or hot topics you'd like to see addressed, please send them our way!
Registration is open now!
We're also kicking off our 2026 annual membership renewal. You can register for the event and renew your membership by either paying by credit card or mailing in your payment.
Please note: There will be a $125 flat fee per additional guest, which includes all meals, the banquet, entry into prize drawings, and a swag bag.
Lodging is available on-site at the Best Western Plus at the La Crescent Area Event Center:
Best Western Plus
595 Veterans Pkwy
La Crescent, MN
(507) 895-1001
A special room block will be available soon. In the meantime, here is the link to general hotel reservations.
We look forward to seeing you in January for another fantastic seminar filled with learning, networking, and innovation in apple growing!
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