Mission of the
The
Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network:
To share information and encourage research to improve the organic production and marketing of tree fruit in the Midwest, and to represent the interests of growers engaged in such. We do this through a quarterly newsletter, field days, an electronic list-serv and this website.
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We invite you to explore the resources offered on this web site, including helpful informational resources, research on tree fruit production and processing, events relevant to organic tree fruit producers and our newsletter, Just Picked.
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"Just
Picked"
Newsletter
of the
Midwest Organic
Tree
Fruit Growers Network
Newsletter
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The Organic Apple Grower Hour
On three Thursday evenings in April, Wisconsin's Eco-Fruit Project offered free
conference calls with organic orchard consultant Michael Phillips. What a great
opportunity to explore the nuance of orchard health, insects, and fungal events
while planning for next season!
You can still listen to these calls; just click here.
Our History:
The Network was formed by growers on February 27, 2004 at the Organic Farming Conference held annually in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A meeting was held open to all interested in organic tree fruits. Twenty growers came from the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
At that meeting there was a lively exchange on issues of interest to tree fruit growers. It was decided to continue the conversation through an informal network, and the Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network was born.
How we operate:
The Network is guided by an Advisory Council that started in February 2007. Those Council members are listed below. You are welcome to contact them by clicking on a Council member’s name.
Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchards & Gardens, La Crescent, MN,
Jim Koan of Al-Mar Orchard, Flushing, MI
Tom Rosenfeld of Earth First Farms, Berrien Center, MI
David Sliwa of Sliwa Meadow Farm, Decorah, IA
Maury Wills of Wills Family Farm, Adell, IA
Thus far the Network has launched a list-serv discussion forum, field days, this
web site, a newsletter, a trip to Michigan, and more. A full day
classroom session on organic apple production was offered at the
2005 Organic University hosted by MOSES and attended by over 40
participants. In February, 2006 when Michael Phillips
author of "The Apple Grower" taught an advanced organic
apple production course at the 2006 Organic
University.
We invite you to explore the resources offered on this web site,
including helpful informational resources, research on tree fruit production and processing, events relevant to organic tree fruit producers and our newsletter, Just Picked. |
