Michigan Winter Potato Conference attendees can tour nearby facilities

As part of the 2024 Michigan Winter Potato Conference in East Lansing, attendees get a tour of nearby facilities. There are four options from which to choose.

Option 1: Potato research facilities:

Join Dr. Dave Douches, Dr. Jaime Willbur, Dr. Erin Burns, Ana Heck, Chris Long, and their teams for a tour providing the opportunity to see firsthand the facilities used by potato researchers to get results when investigating the industry’s most pressing problems.

The tour includes a Potato Breeding Greenhouse tour, Pathology Lab tour, research sprayer and herbicide resistance screening demonstration, potato fingerprinting demonstration, tissue culture lab tour, and an opportunity to see hive equipment, discuss pollinator protection and stewardship and participate in honey tasting.

Option 2: Techmark facilities and FRIB:

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University (MSU) is a world-class research, teaching and training center, hosting what is designed to be the most powerful rare isotope accelerator. MSU operates FRIB as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. FRIB allows MSU graduate students to engage in groundbreaking research.

Tour the Techmark facility and learn from the experts about new technologies in storage. Techmark is an international agricultural engineering company specializing in storage and production systems. Techmark applies technologies that create positive returns for growers and industry.

Option 3: MSU Anaerobic Digestion Research and Techmark facilities:

Tour the Techmark facility and learn from the experts about new technologies in storage. Techmark is an international agricultural engineering company specializing in storage and production systems. Techmark applies technologies that create positive returns for growers and industry.

The Michigan State University Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center (MSU ADREC) comprehensively research, develops, and evaluates technologies associated with integrated anaerobic digestion systems.

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that converts organic materials (called feedstocks) in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) into biogas. Methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are the primary gaseous components of biogas. Biogas can be burned to generate electricity and heat (steam) or purified and compressed for use as natural gas.

Option 4: MSU Product Center & Mobile Food Processing Lab:

Tour the MSU Product Center & Mobile Food Processing Lab. The food processing mobile lab is outfitted with food grade equipment and capabilities to demonstrate and trains students on the processes and technologies used to convert commodities into consumable food products.

The mobile lab is part of the Product Center which helps Michigan entrepreneurs and businesses to develop and launch new product and service ideas into the food, ag and bioenergy markets through concept development, business development, market research, MarketMaker, and specialized services.

Robert Masterson, the leading nutrition expert at Michigan State University specializing in athletic performance, leads an insightful experience that provides a comprehensive understanding of the crucial role nutrition plays in optimizing athlete performance.

Explore the state-of-the-art training facilities and treatment areas where athletes at MSU hone their skills and recover. Gain valuable insights into the holistic approach that fuels champions in this dynamic environment, all under the expert guidance of Rob.