Wind Machine, Electric Pruners Donated To MSU Research Center
March 25, 2015 
Michigan State University (MSU) Clarksville Research Center assistant farm manager Dan Platte (left) and MSU Department of Horticulture professor Gregory Lang (right) thank Lee DeLeeuw of Superior Wind Machine Service, Inc., for the donation of a wind machine to prevent frost damage to fruit research plots at the MSU AgBioResearch facility. (Photo credit: MSU AgBioResearch)
Michigan State University (MSU) recently received a donation of a $35,000 Orchard-Rite wind machine from Superior Wind Machine Service, Inc., in Yakima, WA, and Caledonia, MI. The wind machine is in use at the Clarksville Research Center (CRC), a 440-acre facility where Michigan State University research projects in tree fruit, small fruits, and other crops are conducted.
“The protection of these important, highly visible research projects from spring frosts in our increasingly variable climate and the ability to utilize modern orchard equipment in conducting the projects provide excellent demonstrations of new technologies,” Gregory Lang, professor of tree fruit science in the MSU Department of Horticulture said. “Our recent history of innovative horticultural tree fruit research at CRC has not only provided valuable new concepts and techniques for Michigan’s tree fruit growers but has also drawn international visitors and forged important research collaborations with scientists worldwide.
Lang helped arrange the donation of the wind machine and a $3,100 Infaco Electrocoup battery-powered electric pruning system. The system was donated by Peach Ridge Orchard Supply, Inc., of Sparta, MI.
“We wanted a unit at MSU because it is Superior Wind’s base state and where much of our business comes from,” Lee DeLeeuw of Superior Wind Machine Service, Inc., said. “Although our company covers the entire northeastern United States, MSU is a major research center for fruit growers, so it was a good fit and time to give something back to show our support.”
Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Horticulture professor Gregory Lang (left) thanks David Chase of Peach Ridge Orchard Supply, Inc., for the donation of an electric pruning system to be used at the MSU Clarksville Research Center and the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center in East Lansing. (Photo credit: MSU AgBioResearch)
These donations are a part of in-kind support efforts of tree fruit industries and suppliers and the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission.
“Tree fruit is one of Michigan’s largest and most valuable crops, so it’s critical that we do everything in our power to keep our research relevant to current issues facing the industry,” Douglas D. Buhler, director of MSU AgBioResearch and senior associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said. “Contributions such as the wind machine and pruner are testaments to the strength of the partnerships and goodwill between MSU researchers and Extension educators and the fruit industry that we’ve built over the years.”
Source: MSU AgBioResearch
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