1998 Annual Report for LNE98-101
CORE Values Northeast: A Northeast IPM-Apple Consumer Education - Marketing Development Project
Summary
Summary
Through this project, consumer advocates are working in partnership with progressive apple growers and Cooperative Extension personnel to use consumer education and market incentives to boost demand for local apples, grown according to biointensive integrated pest management (IPM) principles and practices. This grant funds the second year of a three-year project.
Objectives
* Develop a model knowledge-based certification program to accredit Northeast apple growers utilizing biointensive IPM production methods on their farm.
* Promote market development of certified apples and positively influence consumers’ preference for them.
* Reward regional producers in the program by increasing their market share and returning preferential prices.
* Encourage growers’ adoption of ecological practices.
Abstract
CORE Values Northeast (CVN) is a three-year project of Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet, a consumer education and advocacy organization, to increase market opportunities for sustainably produced food. This model eco-labeling program, introduced in 1996, brings together northeast apple farmers and consumers as partners in defining ecologically responsible agriculture through the accreditation of regional farmers using biointensive IPM. Project partners are working to build public awareness of and demand for local, ecologically-grown apples, using consumer-centered media and market-based education strategies.
Increasing consumer demand for ecologically-grown apples through education is likely to result in increased market share and better prices for ecologically-grown apples, and increased interest in adoption of standardized ecological methods by orchardists. If this program is successful, it will lead to greater economic viability of the northeast apple industry, greater use of ecologically-based orchard management practices, and environmental and social benefits accruing from stronger markets for northeastern apples.
Approved for funding March 1998. 1999 Northeast Region SARE/ACE Report.