Beginner Apple School for North Central Region Growers

Commodities

Practices

The proposed project aims to
address the pressing need for comprehensive education and support
for both new and advanced apple growers in the North Central
region, including Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. The
primary objectives are to equip growers and their
labor force with the knowledge and practical skills necessary
to establish and manage successful apple
orchards, promote continuing education for experienced apple
growers, develop online training materials with a specific focus
on orchard establishment and production,
and create bilingual resources for training farm workers. The
intended outcomes of this initiative include enabling growers to
gain expertise in various aspects of orchard
management, such as pest and disease management, nutrient
requirements, organic and sustainable farming practices, market
dynamics, and labor management. With this knowledge, growers will
be better prepared to make informed decisions about orchard
establishment, economics, and overall management. The need for
a program
such as this is highlighted by a survey of 167 apple growers in
the Midwest, where 42% of respondents expressed frustration with
the disorganization and difficulty in finding resources for apple
growers. Additionally, 81% of respondents indicated a likelihood of taking a
beginner apple course, illustrating a strong interest in
educational opportunities among growers. This initiative sets
itself apart from existing programs by focusing on the entire
spectrum of orchard establishment and production,
including critical
steps like trellising, irrigation, labor management, and
marketing. The overarching goal of this project is to provide
practical education that encourages sustainability and supports
on-farm sustainability practices. 

Objectives: 

• Develop a comprehensive online
  curriculum of training materials focused on apple orchard
  establishment and production. 
• Provide new apple growers and their
  farm labor with an educational curriculum and practical skills
  to establish and manage successful apple
  orchards. 
• Develop bilingual material for
  growers and farm workers. 
• Develop a comprehensive website to
  host course materials and supporting
  resources. 

 Outcomes: 

• Learn about orchard management, pest
  and disease challenges, nutrient requirements, sustainable
  farming practices, markets, and
  labor.  
• Make informed decisions on orchard
  establishment, economics, and
  management.  
• Select varieties suitable to the
  region's climate and market and adopt strategies to reduce
  reliance on pesticides.