Apples are an important component of New England’s diversified agriculture. Although there is strong interest in organic apple production, there are very few certified organic orchards because of insect and horticultural challenges plus disease challenges associated with the predominant cultivar grown in the New England region (i.e., ‘McIntosh’). However, recent shifts in consumer preference for ‘newer’ cultivars have led to the planting of different apple cultivars which have different disease susceptibility and research has identified potential alternatives to insect and horticultural obstacles to organic apple production in the region. Research knowledge is at a point where it needs to be integrated into organic production systems and evaluated holistically, including an economic analysis of potential economic costs, returns, and risks associated with the systems. Thus, we are conducting a multi-disciplinary, multi-state research project which is examining the two major production systems growers would use in changing to new cultivars and to organic production with a closely integrated organic apple extension program to disseminate research findings, information, and insights. We plan to build an interactive, vibrant community of growers, researchers, and educators (academic/extension) for the exchange and generation of information and knowledge to enhance adoption of organic practices and to improve the competitiveness of organic apple producers by enhancing their ability to grow and market high quality apples.

Students (undergraduate and graduate) who are considering careers in agriculture or just want to be informed on organic production systems need classroom and in-field learning on organic principles and the complex issues associated with organic agriculture. We developed an Organic Fruit Production course in which students applied organic principles, examined practical aspects, and dealt with the multi-dimensional aspects of organic fruit production. Options for experiential learning included participating in organic research, in extension education (e.g., developing organic resource material), and in on-farm problem solving.

The long-term goal of this project is to enhance adoption of organic apple production in New England through: (i) establishing an integrated and collaborative certified organic farm at the University of Vermont, a land-grant institution, for the development and implementation of research which addresses opportunities and constraints to organic apple production; (ii) implementing a comprehensive organic apple extension program for current and prospective apple growers within the region; and (iii) developing an educational program for both graduate and undergraduate students in organic fruit production.

We envision this project to span 6-9 years.

Project Objectives:

Obj. 1. Incorporate and evaluate ‘new’ apple cultivars and research-generated knowledge of apple ecosystem dynamics into organic production systems to determine sustainability and profitability.

In essence, the questions being researched in this project are:

  • What are the challenges and opportunities with these cultivars under organic apple production?
  • Is organic apple production profitable and sustainable with the knowledge and tools we have and with these cultivars?
  • Will there be a long-term difference in profitability between the two organic apple production systems?

Obj. 2. Collaboratively develop and implement with stakeholders a multi-dimensional extension program that addresses their priorities and needs and improves the competitiveness of organic apple producers.

Obj. 3. Collaboratively develop a course on organic fruit production that effectively integrates classroom and experiential learning and that includes principles, practical aspects, and complexities of organic production.

Brief Highlights of Accomplishments (Years 1, 2, 3):

[Also, please see additional highlights on our Project Welcome page or see the full Progress Report pages]

  • Established two orchards with ‘newer’ apple cultivars and received organic certification in both apple orchards. Orchards are just entering the early years of bearing. We are in the process of summarizing the horticultural, pest management and economic insights gained during the establishment years of the two organic apple orchards.
  • Launched the OrganicA website (http://www.uvm.edu/organica) in May 2007 which has received high praise. Since it began, 100% of stakeholders who evaluated the website found the organic information useful, with 76 % stating it was “highly” useful. In addition, 56% of respondents stated that they have used the information on the website in decision-making; 81% believed that the website will enhance the adoption of organic apple production. The website is a “work in progress” and we are continuing to expand its contents.
  • Organized a regional grower workshop on organic apple production at the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference where insights gained from the project were presented along with growers sharing their organic experiences to a ”standing-room only” audience.
  • Conducted three case studies of organic apple growers from Vermont and Maine.
  • Hosted and/or participated in numerous grower meetings where organic apple information has been exchanged and discussed; participated in national and international organic forums for information exchange. Again, the content of the stakeholder meetings/orchard tours which we organized were highly evaluated by stakeholders, with a majority planning to use the information that was presented.
  • Developed and offered an undergraduate course in organic fruit production which was filled to capacity.
  • Provided “hands-on” learning for student interns (undergraduate and graduate) in the organic apple orchards.
  • Started a weekly ‘blog’ during the growing season for sharing orchard observations.
  • Responded one-on-one to grower and prospective grower inquiries on organic apple production.
  • Collected extensive data in the following areas and are currently summarizing results for determining any differences during the “establishment years” among cultivars being grown under organic management practices in two production systems (i.e., new orchard planted with young nursery trees; a top-grafted older orchard): Disease incidence and severity; Arthropod pest damage and population levels; Beneficial arthropods levels; Horticultural data; Measurements of tree ‘health’; Measurements of soil ‘health’; and Economic inputs (i.e., detailed records have been kept on amount of labor used, tasks performed and time required, cost of supplies, maintenance, pest management, harvest, etc. for each orchard).