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.