A3O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 23, 2000 On Apples And Stone Fruit STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) “It’s a rough situation out there, market wise. for agriculture,’ said Dennis Mack ey, organic apple grower, organic fruit purchaser for Eden Foods, and experi mental stone fruit grower. But Mackey, who hails from Kaleva in lower Michigan’s northwest corner, has found a niche for himself in the organic fruit market. He will be on hand at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture’s (PASA’s) February confer ence for two workshops to share some of what he’s learned about successful grow ing and marketing. He’s been growing apples organically since the late 1980 s, and has an experi mental block of organic stone fruit, so he knows the difficulties associated with or ganic fruit production. It’s because of the length of the growing season, as compared to that of vegetables and other crops, and the pests involved, he said. From April to harvest in October or November, it’s a long time for insects and disease to gain a foothold. “There are a ton of things (bugs and diseases) out there as soon as the first green shows,” Mackey said. For his organic apple growing work shop he will discuss weed and disease con trol, specific products which can be used, and give his views on “what I think the market is now.” The workshop on grow ing organic stone fruit will focus on his work with the experimental block of stone fruit and where growers can find informa tion. Mackey had an experimental block of stone fruit in Wisconsin for several years, where he worked with a variety of sprays and pruning systems, and tested the hardiness of root stocks. This spring he plans to establish two varieties of white peaches at his family’s farm in Kaleva. Mackey in the first to ac knowledge that growing fruit organically is not easy. But he believes strongly in its im portance and that of sustain able agriculture practices. “Basically, the world is contaminated,” he said. “But it hasn’t always been this way. This is a way of grow ing fruit like our grandfa thers did.” And when the apple scab and insects have been con quered, there remains the complex issue of marketing. There is a kind of Catch-22 situation out there, he said. Eden Foods, for example, is willing to make organic food-based prod ucts but are not always sure they can get the raw materials. But overproduction is not the answer, either. “People need to be open for new mar keting opportunities,” ne said. As more and more people get into the organic busi- Our team of speakers will have lots of information on how to cut the cost of producing milk with High Quality Forage, either harvested or grazed. When: Wednesday, January 17,2001 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Where: Bart Fire Hall in Georgetown, Lancaster County, PA ~OR~ When: Thursday, January 18, 2001 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Where: Ez Yoder’s Family Restaurant, Mifflinburg, Union County, PA 4 mi. West of Mifflinburg on Rt. 45 AGENDA: ■ 8:45 am ■ 9:00 am Welcome! Get warmed up. Coffee, cider and ch “How Annual Ryegrass/Corn silage can improve profits and help you comply with Nutrient Management issues.” By Don Schwartz - Maryland Cooperative Extension Agent “The Role and Benefits of Grass in a Dairy Ration” By John Thyssen, Forage Director ~ Barenbrug USA Break - Stretch your legs ■ 9:30 am ■ 10:30 am ■ 10:40 am “Financial Analysis of Grazing VS. Conventional Lancaster County dairy farms, and how to benefit by putting the two together.” By Tim Fritz - Penn State Extension Farm Management Agent Lunch (FREE if you register on time). Visit with other farmers and speakers ■ 11:30 am “Annual Ryegrass/Corn Silage - Part 2” By Don Schwartz “Managing High digestibility corn silage from the field to the milk tank” By Dick Baldridge - Agronomist / Breeder Baldridge Hybrids ■ 1:00 pm ■ 1:30 pm “Selecting the right grass and Alfalfa for your farm” By John Thyssen Questions and answer session with speakers and Aaron King ■ 2:00 pm ■ 3:00 pm Reservations Required by January sth, 2001 7% Discount On All Seed In December ness, that will probably even the prices out. Overall (now) there is still a premium to be had in the organic market.” For those interested in producing healthy fruit in a sustainable way, plan to attend Mackey’s workshops at PASA’s 10th annual Fanning For The Future Conference in State College, Feb. 9 and 10. AAEON KINGSEEDS 717-687-6224
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