[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 2OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HORTICULTURE 
                            RESEARCH STATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 1999

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, July 6 marks the 20th anniversary 
of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station.
  In 1979, cherry farmers, Michigan State University horticulture and 
Extension faculty, Michigan Department of Agriculture, USDA and fruit 
industry representatives banded together, sharing information and 
resources, to form a research station in the hopes of keeping 
themselves on the cutting edge of agriculture techniques.
  Today all of the partners in the Northwest Michigan Horticulture 
Research Station can reflect with pride at what they have accomplished. 
Northwest Michigan's cheery farming industry is stronger than ever. The 
research station has helped northwestern farmers address unique cherry 
farming issues. Farmers have increased their crop yields by using 
innovative, field-tested agriculture techniques. Faculty have had a 
real life laboratory to experiment with farming techniques, and 
Michigan State University horticulture students have benefited from a 
facility to apply their classroom knowledge.
  The Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station has brought 
Michigan growers the latest information on the most successful 
agriculture methods through a broad-based, grassroots network of 
farmers.
  Today I would like to recognize the efforts of the Northwest Michigan 
Horticulture Research Station and thank the station for its continuing 
to help Michigan agriculture address the challenges of the next 
century. Through the cooperative efforts of the Northwest Michigan 
Horticulture Research Station, northwestern Michigan will remain the 
``Cherry Capital of the World.''

                          ____________________