If you have ever wanted to try your hand at running an apple orchard there is an upcoming workshop to help get you started in the industry.
The Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers will prepare participants to grow and sell apples using a variety of management strategies. This educational get together will be offered March 16-18 on the UW-Madison campus.
“Because of the high startup costs and increased risks associated with perennial farming systems, it’s vital to learn and plan before you plant. We help people better understand the business of growing and marketing apples, so they can set realistic goals and improve their chances of success,” says coordinator John Hendrickson, an outreach specialist with the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.
The school offers a unique program that combines the expertise of seasoned Wisconsin growers and UW-Madison/UW-Extension faculty. Primary instructors for the workshop include:
- Bob Barthel of Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon
- Laura Tisch of Munchkey Apples in Mount Horeb
- Rami Aburomia of Atoms to Apples in Mount Horeb
- Patricia McManus, Amaya Atucha and Christelle Guedot, UW-Madison/UW-Extension fruit specialists will also join the conversations
During the sessions the school will emphasize sustainable and organic production methods, including integrated pest management strategies. One highlight of the program is the understanding the complete costs of establishing an orchard, including planting, equipment and facilities. Participants will have opportunities to network with others intent on making a business out of growing and selling apples.
The Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers is sponsored by the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association.
Registration for the program costs $350.
For more information, contact John Hendrickson at (608) 265-3704 or [email protected], or visit the CIAS web site: http://www.cias.wisc.edu/midwest-school-for-beginning-apple-growers/.
