Treefruit Network Events Watch this page, the list-serv and our newsletter, Just Picked, for information on our field days, orchard walks, demo days, and work parties, as well as those organized by others and of potential interest to organic tree fruit growers in the Midwest.

Upcoming Events

Permaculture Design Certificate Course - August 9-20, 2010 | Saukville, WI
Offered by the Global Environmental Education Center (GEM), this intensive, 72-hour course in the design and use of sustainable-living systems will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Saukville Field Station. 715-346-4266 http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gem/PermacultureCourse/PermacultureHome.htm.

Tour the Historic Orchard at Seed Savers Exchange - August 11, 2010 | Decorah, IA
Growers and Tree Fruit Enthusiasts - Learn more about the history of tree fruit and Seed Savers' mission to preserve genetic resources; See the hundreds of varieties of apples in the largest, most diverse public orchard in the U.S.; Take a tour of the Sliwa Meadow Farm outside Decorah. Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm. The event is open to the public and includes a catered lunch. Pre-registration deadline is August 6th and the cost is $25 (OTFA members receive a $10 discount for this and all other OTFA-sponsored events). To register and to get directions, call or email us at 715-808-0060 or OTFAinfo@gmail.com. Download an informational postcard to learn more.

Past Tree Fruit Events

Seed Savers Exchange 30th Annual Conference & Campout - July 16 - 18 | Decorah, IA
Bud Grafting Workshop offered during conference to first 50 who register. REGISTER NOW at 563-382-5990 and ask for Kathy. All conference details and online registration forms at http://www.seedsavers.org

Michigan Pollinator Short Course - June 24, 2010 | East Lansing, MI
Lead by Jennifer Hopwood, Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator for the Xerces Society. This day-long short course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed agricultural landscapes. 517-324-5265 http://www.xerces.org/enewsletter/mishortcourse.html

OTFA Field Day - June 19, 2010 | Berrien Center, MI
Join OTFA at Earth First Farms, owned and operated by the Rosenfeld family, for a field day featuring a presentation on orchard pests by Dr. Matthew Grieshop of Michigan State University, a discussion of cider making by "cider guru" and MSU Extension Horticulture Specialist, Robert Tritten, and a grower panel on marketing organic tree fruit. Come learn and share with other organic enthusiasts. This will be a great event for beginning as well as experienced growers! The field day is open to the public and includes a catered lunch. Registration deadline is June 12th and the cost is $25 (OTFA members receive a $10 discount for this and all other OTFA‐sponsored events). To register and to get directions, call or email Bridget O’Meara at 715-808‐0060 or OTFAinfo@gmail.com

Effective Spray Use and Calibration Workshop - June 10, 2010 | Sturgeon Bay
Dr. Andrew Landers from Cornell University will train growers on proper calibration and effective use of spray equipment to ensure proper spray patterns and coverage of their trees. This workshop is limited to 24 participants so registration will be accepted on a first come basis. To learn more about the workshop, contact Regina Hirsch at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison, 608-265-3637 or rmhirsch@wisc.edu.

Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture - May 22, 2010 | Caledonia, IL
Join us for an introduction to the comprehensive ecological methods behind the Biodynamic farming movement inspired by Rudolf Steiner. Explore the farm and learn how soils, plants, animals, and people together form a dynamic living organism. Hands-on activities will include preparation-making, applications to compost and fields, plant observations, and learning how to use planetary calendars. 815.389.8455 http://www.csalearningcenter.org/node/2055

Whole Tree Construction - May 15, 2010 | La Crescent, WI
Hoch Orchard will host a full day workshop with Roald Gunderson of Whole Trees Architecture and Construction, sponsored by the Driftless Folk School. Attendees will learn about the whole-tree construction concept and design, see the construction techniques, and actually help assemble part of the building. This event will include a locally grown lunch made at the orchard. For more info, call 608-452-3894 or visit www.driftlessfolkschool.org or www.wholetrees.com

Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers - February 5-7, 2010, Madison, WI
This intensive, three-day course gives you a realistic picture of what it takes to run a successful orchard operation-including capital, management, labor and other resources. Topics include soil fertility, pest management, business planning, risk management, recordkeeping, marketing and economics. Grower-instructors primarily teach the course, with featured presentations and hands-on labs by UW faculty and other specialists. Learn more online, or contact John Hendrickson, 608-265-3704, jhendric@wisc.edu.
Registration deadline: January 22, 2010.
Cost: $300 for the course, add $150 for spouses/partners.

August 8 - Fox Ridge Farm, Solon, Iowa - Host Paul Rasch will tour us through his two orchards, seven miles apart from each other. Paul will focus on the four-acre block of seven disease-resistant varieties that he planted in 2007. This modern high-density orchard was designed for organic production. In its third leaf it is already producing apples. We will discuss fruit quality in this minimal input orchard and the group's experiences growing disease-resistant varieties in the Midwest.

We will also tour Wilson's Orchard, which Paul purchased this year, an orchard and retail store known for its exceptional beauty. He will discuss managing the insect pests and diseases that built before he purchased the orchard.

Guest speakers are Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchard, La Crescent, Minnesota, and Mark Gleason, plant pathologist at Iowa State University, who will speak on managing apple diseases organically.

Kathleen Delate, Organic Specialist in crops and horticulture at Iowa State University will bring ISU Extension's new bulletin on organic apple production and discuss insect pest management.

Not to be missed will be the discussion of direct marketing to consumers and Wilson's retail store that includes a bakery and cider mill. It will be open for business on the 8th.

Advanced registration is required by July 30th. A lunch of organic and local foods is included with registration. Read more about Fox Ridge Farm and the day's agenda for this unique event. Download the PRESS RELEASE.

This event is made possible by generous support from the USDA Risk Management Agency and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at UW-Madison.

June 25 - Al-Mar Orchard, Flushing, Michigan. Hosts Jim and Karen Koan. Read this press release and the Spring issue of Just Picked for more information on their orchard, as well as the past six issues of Just Picked for information on their project to integrate organic pork and apple production. Register now and before June 16. Click here for the agenda and other information on this unique event.

March 5-6, 2009 - Advanced Grower Retreat – Kellogg Center, East Lansing, Michigan
Growers will gather for in-depth discussion on common production, marketing, and value-added issues.  Updates on forming the Organic Tree Fruit Association will be shared.  The Retreat ends when the Michigan Organic Conference starts on Friday evening, March 6, also at the Kellogg Center.  Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower, will give three presentations at the Conference on Saturday.  He will participate as a grower in the Retreat on Friday. 

February 27, 2009 - Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network Meeting
2009 Organic Farming Conference | La Crosse, WI
This year the network is organizing a scion wood exchange. We will have a grafting workshop in Meeting room C from 4:00 to 5:30. Immediately following the workshop we will have an informal get together with tools for grafting. Bring some grafting wood and be prepared to share some stories, sip some cider, graft a few trees (or watch), and hear an update on the Network. We will have some rootstock available. All are welcome. Contact: Harry Hoch, Hoch Orchard and Gardens at hoch1 @acegroup.cc or 507-643-6329 for more information. Register for the conference.

February 27-28, 2009 - Organic Farming Conference | Grafting Fruit Trees Workshop
A truly hands-on workshop featuring the theory and practice of grafting, demonstrations of a variety of techniques and tools, and the opportunity to practice hands-on bench grafting under the direction of experience fruit-tree grafters. Summer budgrafting, topworking old trees, and dormant grafting will be explained. Followed in the same room by a scion-wood exchange sponsored by the Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network. Bring grafting wood of your favorite antique apple or newer varieties to share (no patented varieties please). Learn more about the conference. Online registration open through February 18th. Register today!

There will be one grower retreat and two field days in 2009.  These events are made possible by funding from the Risk Management Agency of the USDA.

February 26, 2009 | La Crosse, Wisconsin
Organic University Course - Advanced Tree Fruit Production
Growing perennial crops such as fruit trees offers production challenges, especially for organic orchardists. As with all aspects of organic agriculture, crop health is based in soil building and enhancement of a diverse environment. The perennial nature of tree plantings offers challenges as well as opportunities. This course addresses the specific needs of organic fruit growers with practical options discussed on how to incorporate a wide range of management and inputs to improve your operation. This course is geared towards experienced orchard growers, both those currently growing organically and those transitioning. This session, while having some information for beginners, will not present information for those new to tree fruit production.

Gain a deeper understanding of the factors that encourage insect breeding and feeding to improve your management of insect problems and aid in the effective and timely use of traps, pheromone disrupters and organically approved spray materials. Production issues from soil fertility to monitoring and responding to climatic factors will be covered as well as various fruit marketing options. Integrating livestock offers some promise for insect control as well as adding fertility and a second crop for market, improving your bottom line. Our panel of experienced organic orchardists, George Bird, professor in the Department of Entomology from Michigan State University, Steve Ela, from Colorado, and Jim Koan from Michigan will bring many ideas for discussion.

Past 2008 Tree Fruit Events

Thank you to all our 2008 host orchards!

December 9-11, 2008 - Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo
Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
December 11 included a full day of organic horticulture sessions, including a half-day on tree fruits.  For more information: www.glexpo.com

August 8, 2008 - Organic Apple Research Field Day, Dixons Spring Research Station, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jeff Kindhart, orchard manager, and Rick Wienzierl, entomologist at UIUC, discussed their organic system and insect pest management experiments. This event was sponsored by the Agro-Ecology Program of the UIUC. Contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant for information on future tours at cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.

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Completed 2007 Events

November 2 - Organic Pork & Apple Field Day - Flushing, MI
At Jim Koan's Al-Mar Orchards. Learn about the hog grazing project and other organic pest management tactics being researched and implemented in Michigan orchards. Jim is on the Tree Fruit Network advisory board.
For more information, contact David Epstein, 517-432-4766

November 10 - Midwest Apple Improvement Association Annual Meeting - Heath, OH
This association involves both growers and university researchers whose mission is "to develop economically and culturally viable apple cultivars for the Midwest." Those efforts include apple scab resistance and apple biodiversity.
For more information contact Mitch Lynd, 740-967-5355

December 4-6 - Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo - Grand Rapids, MI
All day sessions on organic production and marketing.
www.glexpo.com

August 22, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Matt Stasiak of University of Wisconsin welcomed Network participants to view the organic tart cherry and apple orchard blocks he is establishing. Barrett Gruber, a doctoral candidate, with Professor Patricia McManus, UW-Madison plant pathologist, showed their research on copper to control cherry leafspot and copper's potential negative impacts on leaf photosynthesis. Information on the preliminary results are found here. Dave Parsons showed us how to do apple bagging to improve fruit quality. Watch our INFORMATION page for a video demonstration of apple bagging, courtesy of Dave parsons. Read about the field day in the Fall 2007 issue of Just Picked.

Matt has supplied information on these blocks for our newsletter and website over the last two years. Please see the Winter (January) 2006 and 2007 issues of Just Picked.

The field day covered the following topics :

• Ground preparation
• Weed management and mulch trials
• Orchard floor management
• Selection of rootstocks and varieties
• Orchard layout and spacing
• Soil fertility and nutrient cycling issues
• Wildflower plantings to attract beneficial insects
• Fungal leaf pathogens of cherry (leafspot, powdery mildew) and apple (scab, fire blight)
• Insect pest management:
• Experiences with NOP-approved products

July 10, 1:30 to 4:30 PM, Viroqua, WI
John Armbruster and family, of Two Brothers' Orchard near Viroqua, WI hosted an orchard walk for Network growers. Guest speaker was Bob Johnson who has been of particular help to John in getting his orchard going. The family orchard consists of 150 apple trees on dwarfing rootstocks with the varieties Liberty, Royal Cortland and Honeycrisp and 50 cherry trees on standard rootstock of Surefire and Montmorency. The Armbrusters also have 1,000 ft of raspberries and are starting blackberries. He sells his fruits at the Biroqua Farmers' Market and starting this year to local stores. John hosted the Network as a novice grower to share what he has learned since they started the orchard in 2003. Bob demonstrated limb spreading, discussed insect problems and answered diverse questions from participants. Learn more from an article on the event in the Summer issue of Just Picked.

March 4-7 - 4th International Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposium - East Lansing, MI
This Symposium, which happens every two years, was hosted by Michigan State University at their Kellogg Center.  It covered soil, ground cover, tree, pest and horticulture management and other advances in organic tree fruit production.  See Just Picked Spring 2007, pages 3-4 for a report on the Symposium, including a listing of the presentations given and the research priorities developed.  A few presentations, papers and posters are available on our RESEARCH webpage. 

March 10 – Pruning Clinic - Lansing, IA
Bob Johnson gave a pruning clinic along with Jamie Bjornsen at her Countryside Orchard in Lansing, IA.  See our newsletter article on the event in Just Picked, Spring 2007 issue.  Thank you to Bob and Jamie for initiating this much appreciated and well attended event.

The Organic Farming Conference was held February 22-24, 2007 in La Crosse, WI.
This year David Sliwa of Sliwa Meadow Farm and Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchard and Garden conducted a session titled: Small-Scale Tree Fruit Production on Friday, February 23 at 8:30 AM. They gave an overview of organically growing apples, pears, and stone fruit, including cultivar selection; site selection, preparation, and maintenance for optimal health, and organic pest control. They discussed considerations regarding orchard size, time to production, and fruit volume. To get a recording of this session go to Resource Express at http://www.organicvoices.com/Specialty_Crops.html or call 952-432-3079.

The Risk Management Agency of the USDA and MOSES were the major sponsors of these field days. Additional sponsors are welcome.