Apple Field Day, August 8th at Fox Ridge Farm in Solon, Iowa

The Organic Tree Fruit Association announces an exceptional event for all tree fruit growers at Fox Ridge Farm on August 8th in Solon, Iowa.  This event will provide a breadth and depth of information and discussion on eco-friendly approaches to apple production and direct to consumer marketing never before offered in Iowa.

The event starts at 9AM on Saturday, August 8th at Wilson’s Orchard now owned by Paul Rasch of Fox Ridge Farm.  Paul will discuss his rejuvenation of this beautiful orchard, particularly the diseases and insect pests that built up before his ownership.  Mr. Rasch will discuss his direct to consumer retailing via the Orchard’s lovely retail store, which includes a bakery and cider mill.

The major focus of the field day will be at Mr. Rasch’s home farm, Fox Ridge Farm, seven miles from Wilson’s Orchard.  New high-density plantings, planted yearly since 2007, will be discussed, particularly the plantings of disease-resistant cultivars.  Trees planted in 2007 are already bearing apples.

Guest speakers include Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchards, who organically manages approximately 40 acres of tree fruits.  From Iowa State University, Professor Mark Gleason will discuss the organic management of sooty blotch and flyspeck, while Professor Kathleen Delate will present Extension’s new organic apple production bulletin and organic insect pest control.

Mr. Rasch and the Association are looking forward to dialogue and learning among all who come. Mr. Rasch is a 4th generation tree fruit grower from the Fruit Ridge area of Michigan.  He formerly owned and operated an apple juice company in China.  Since selling that company in 2006 Mr. Rasch now owns and operates approximately 50 acres of apples in Iowa with over 150 varieties.

Advance registration is required by July 30th.  After July 30th a late registration fee applies of $10 per person.  A lunch will be served to all registered featuring local and organic foods.

The registration form is available at http://www.mosesorganic.org/treefruit/events.htm .

For additional questions please contact Deirdre at deirdreb@mindspring.com or 608-967-2362.

This event is made possible by funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Association was started as the Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network in 2004 by growers for the purpose of sharing information and encouraging research to improve organic tree fruit production and marketing in the Midwest, and to represent growers engaged in such.

Deirdre Birmingham, Coordinator
Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network

http://www.mosesorganic.org/treefruit/intro.htm

deirdreb@mindspring.com
tel 608-967-2362
cell 608-219-4279
fax 608-967-2496
7258 Kelly Rd.
Mineral Point, WI 53565