OrganicA - a resource for organic apple production: About the OrganicA Project

About the OrganicA Project

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.

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 are developing an Organic Fruit Production course in which students will apply organic principles, examine practical aspects, and deal with the multi-dimensional aspects of organic fruit production. Options for experiential learning will include 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.

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.

Overall research results from Objective 1 will be incorporated into extension education (presentations, publications, website), academic course materials, scientific meeting presentations, and published in appropriate scientific and applied research journals. Milestones will include: Year 1 - establishment of two organic orchards that represent alternatives in production systems; Year 2- maintain healthy trees through application of organic practices, utilize orchards for extension and student education; Year 3- receive organic certification of orchards, maintain healthy trees, identify differences in cultivar performance, utilize orchards for extension and students, identify priority areas of research to enhance adoption of organic apple production, seek and obtain funds for organic research in priority areas.

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.

Milestones/Impacts: Year 1 - Develop and implement Organic Apple (OA) website and the OA listserv which will begin to develop 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. Conduct annual workshop and on-farm demonstration. Conduct case studies and disseminate information. Meet with advisory group and conduct surveys of stakeholders and program participants to determine if project is meeting their needs and make adjustments accordingly. A significant milestone would be that all aspects of extension program are rated highly by stakeholders and lead to enhanced adoption of organic apple production and increased competitiveness of organic apple producers. Year 2 - Continue to modify, expand, and improve the OA website and listserv. Conduct annual workshop and on-farm demonstration. Meet with advisory group and conduct surveys of stakeholders and program participants to determine if project is still meeting their needs and make adjustments accordingly. Organize and hold Northeast Workshop on Organic Apple Production. A significant milestone would be to have all aspects of the extension program continue to be rated highly by stakeholders and to document enhanced adoption of organic apple production and increased competitiveness of organic apple producers. Year 3 - - Continue to modify, expand, and improve the OA website and listserv. Conduct annual workshop and on-farm demonstration. Meet with advisory group and conduct surveys of stakeholders and program participants to determine if project is still meeting their needs and to plan for the next phase of the project (Years 4-6). Again, a significant milestone would be to have all aspects of the extension program continue to be rated highly by stakeholders and to document enhanced adoption of organic apple production and increased 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.

Milestones/Impacts: Year 1 - course is developed and the maximum number of students enroll; Year 2 - all aspects of course are rated highly by students and lead to informed, critical-thinking citizens; Year 3 - There is an increase in students who are interested in organic production and enroll in both components of the course.