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