"A New Look at Organic Apple Production in New England"
- - a session organized by the OrganicA Project at the 2007 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference in Manchester, NH.

A session on organic apple production entitled "A New Look at Organic Apple Production in New England" was held on December 11, 2007, at the New England Vegetable &Fruit Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire. This session was organized by the OrganicA Project, a multi-disciplinary, multi-state research and education project supported by the USDA Integrated Organic Program. There was tremendous interest in the session; over 115 people were in attendance in a room that was filled to capacity with an overflow of people in the hallways outside the doors wanting to come into the session to hear the speakers.

Opening remarks by coordinator Dr. Lorraine Berkett of the University of Vermont were followed by an overview of organic apple production in New England by Dr. Renae Moran from the University of Maine. Guest speaker Dr. James Travis, from The Pennsylvania State University, provided a detailed summary of his research and experiences with organic apple production in Pennsylvania. Further presentations by Dr. M. Elena Garcia from the University of Arkansas and Dr. Berkett covered horticultural and pest management practices, respectively. The final feature of the session was a panel of organic apple producers who have participated in case studies. Each producer briefly presented their experiences and the floor was then open for questions and discussion.

Standing room only!

AGENDA click here for Title slide (pdf)

9:00 am Potential Opportunities and Challenges of Organic Apple Production

Dr. Renae Moran gave an overview of where we are in New England in terms of organic apple production including what have been the obstacles in organic apple production and what might be new opportunities given shift in cultivars, potential alternatives in managing certain insect pests, and an organically acceptable way to thin the crop. Her presentation "set the stage" for the session.

9:30 am Organic Apple Production -- The Pennsylvania Experience

Dr. Jim Travis spoke on what has been learned in organic apple production over the last 3-4 years in Pennsylvania, e.g., how they manage the orchards horticulturally; what they are using for insect and disease management; economics of production, and market potential.
10:00 am Horticultural Options when Starting an Organic Apple Orchard

Dr. Elena Garcia presented “how to” information on starting an organic orchard with new trees, with an existing orchard, or in a top-grafted orchard, including nutrient/fertility issues, compost, ground cover management, long-term soil health issues , and some economic issues.
10:30 am Organic IPM

Dr. Lorraine Berkett presented information on Organic IPM and some preliminary results and insights gained so far in the OrganicA Project.
11:00 am Discussion Session and Information Exchange

A panel of growers featured in organic apple production case studies participated in providing insights and information from their experiences.