Nov 12, 2025
New MSHS leader follows father’s tree fruit leadership
The new head of the Michigan State Horticulture Society (MSHS) is following in his father’s footsteps by heading the organization that works to strengthen the state’s fruit and vegetable production leadership.
Kyle Weber of southwest Michigan’s MM Farms is the 2026 MSHS president. His dad, Kurt, held the role in 2008.
Tree fruit research remains a priority for Weber, a sixth-generation farmer who grows apples, cherries, peaches and vegetables in Watervliet, less than 8 miles from Lake Michigan.
Weber views the work of the MSHS and the Michigan Vegetable Council (MVC) as vital for connecting growers to new research and best practices.
Tree fruit leaders
“MSHS and MVC are essential pillars of Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industry,” Weber said. “MSHS’ support of Michigan’s fruit industry through research and education has remained consistent. Our approach has evolved to meet the changing needs of growers. In addition to focusing on horticultural advancements, we emphasize food safety, marketing and consumer engagement, and technology adoption.”
Weber points to MSHS’ co-sponsorship of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetables and Farm Market EXPO (GLEXPO), which has become the largest trade show of its kind east of the Mississippi River. The event attracts growers, marketers and industry leaders from across North America and offers world-class educational programs that directly impact how crops are produced, harvested, handled and marketed.
“We put a lot of dollars toward education, and that means a lot, because growers have a lot of money out there and want to do the best they can,” Weber said. “There’s not much room for error.”
Weber follows past MSHS presidents including Mark Evans of Evans Bros. Fruit in 2025 and Beth Hubbard of Corey Lake Orchards in 2024.
“Their efforts laid the groundwork for everything we do today,” Weber said. “Their work gives us a standard to uphold and a challenge to exceed.”
“From the Expo to the scholarship programs for young people, there’s a lot of future in ag,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be farming. Whether it be working for spray companies, scouts or consultants, there’s a lot out there tied into ag.”
Tree fruit legacy
MM Farms’ roots trace to the 1840s, when the family’s ancestors emigrated from Germany and started farming. The house Weber and his wife Melissa Morlock live in is 125 years old and once belonged to his great-grandfather.
The Webers’ farm has faced challenges, including labor shortages, changing market values and raising a family while growing their business.
“We have come this far by adapting, being innovative, staying focused and keeping our long-term goals in sight,” Weber said.
For Weber, the real issue with labor isn’t the cost — it’s commodity returns. For processed apples, growers like Weber receive 12 to 16 cents a pound, the same rate his grandfather received in the 1970s. Overall expenses are 30% to 40% higher than they were a few years ago and aren’t keeping up with rising expenses.
“Everybody complains about labor and the cost of labor,” he said. “The real problem is we don’t get enough for what we sell for. Labor costs aren’t going down, even though Michigan’s H-2A wage rate dropped slightly last year.”
Variety bonanza
Weber grows a dozen apple varieties. Golden Delicious, an older variety that still sells well for fresh and for processing, is the farm’s leading variety. Other apples include Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagold, Evercrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, Paula Red, Jonathan and Empire.
Weber sells the tree fruit through its fruit stand, wholesale and processing.
Like other Michigan growers, Weber grows mostly Montmorency cherries for processing. Peach varieties include John Boy, Sweet Star, Starfire, Lucky 13, PF23, Desiree, Rich May, Glowing Star and Coral Star.
Soil health is a priority. When removing an orchard, the Webers rotate the ground into corn for three to five years to rebuild soil and control weeds. Vegetables like zucchini provide additional rotation options. Typically, Weber plants zucchini for two to three years, followed by corn, then either by zucchini or replanting with fruit.
“Rotation is a big part of keeping our soils healthy,” he said.
Peach challenges
Growing peaches has become more difficult compared to Weber’s father and grandfather’s time.
“They never froze out a lot — maybe once or twice in an orchard’s lifetime,” Weber said. “But now it seems we lose a crop every three to four years. It’s hard on us financially. And it’s hard on the trees, too. The longevity is taken out of them.”
Cherries face lower-priced import competition, while favorable apple production over the last two years has driven prices down. Weber remains encouraged by increasing consumption of apple juice, applesauce and other processed apple products.
Lake Michigan’s west winds bring warmth, while damaging east and north winds maintain cold temperatures.
“We need that west wind off the lake to keep us mild,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a little challenging because we do have a lot of wind. Whether it’s when we need to spray, or if you have some bare spots in the soil, you get what we call sandblasting on trees if we don’t plant ryegrass in there. It seems like every year it gets windier and windier.”
Major apple and peach pests include plum curculio, while spotted wing drosophila (SWD) can challenge tart cherries when fruit begins ripening, when the sugars come in. Timely sprays help battle SWD.
Newer chemicals released within the last 15 years lessen disease worries and have helped reduce scab issues.
“The guys really don’t have much scab anymore,” Weber said. “We don’t really have problems with worms in apples. We’ve got some good tools out there we can use. Everything’s timely. If you want to go every two weeks or 10 days on spraying but then get an inch and a half or two inches of rain, you need to go back out there.”
Basic systems
For his apple trees, Weber grows on a three wire, 3-by-12 foot post and wire system.
“We don’t have any of the V (trellis) systems. We still have some semi-dwarf or dwarf-style orchards that we’re still getting good production out of and pretty good quality, so we don’t see a reason to take those out. I just look at the cost, and the systems are very costly. If you lose a year or two with frost or Mother Nature, that hurts. You still have to make that payment.”
Deer are Weber’s biggest wildlife pest.
“Deer are very bad here,” he said. “We’ll put up electric or solar fences.. We don’t have any high fences yet, but we’re looking into that. You just can’t keep them out.”
Weber learned much from his dad who at 78 remains active in the farming operation. The elder Weber is involved daily, driving a truck for parts and other errands, mowing orchards and running light tractor work.
“Just work hard and go to work every day,” Weber said. “I grew up doing this my whole life, and I really enjoy it. I knew what I wanted to do when I was probably 5 or 6 years old. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
