About the project: MSU Organic Apple Project

The research team
This multidisciplinary team is coordinated by horticulturalist Dr. John Biernbaum. The primary project designers and research leaders include Mark Whalon, George Bird and Larry Gut from the Michigan State University Entomology Department; Ron Perry, Bridget Behe and Phil Schwallier from the Horticulture Department; and Richard Harwood and Susan Smalley from Crop and Soils Sciences. Farmer and industry team members include Joe Scrimger, Calvin Lutz, Brian Hackert, Ed Rasch, Jim Koan, Joe Klein, Francis, Otto, Alan Middleton, Jim Morse, and Todd Dekryger. Other MSU faculty, staff and students include Jerry Skeltis, Peach Byler, Michael Salomon Jost, Roberto Zoppolo, Dario Stefanelli, Byron Wingerd, Jeff Smeenk, Dale Mutch, Becky Gore, and Rachel Walden. (And the list is growing.)

Intended purpose
Over 2,500 trees were planted in a five-acre orchard at the Clarksville Horticulture Station to create the commercial productions conditions necessary for a comprehensive investigation to help apple growers transition to organic production. Organic methods use naturally occurring sources of nutrients to feed the soil food wed that supplies trees with nutrients. Our first goal is (1) to study the increase in biological activity and nutrient availability that occurs with additions of organic matter, compost and green manure. Organic productions also depend on a healthy tree that is resistant to insect and disease pressure and a diversified orchard environment with less opportunity for insect and disease development damage. Our second goal is (2) to study how tree vigor as influenced by nutrient availability, the rootstock, or the type of apple, determines tree health and yield. This includes using pest trapping techniques and sprays of compost tea to reduce the incidence of insects and disease. It requires a large investment for the type of intensive apple production regardless of whether organic techniques are used, so we also need to know how farmers can get the most income from the organic fruit. We need (3) to provide evidence to help farmers and consumers see the value of fruit grown with methods that keep farms, farmers and apple consumers of all ages as healthy as possible. Our goal also is (4) to assure that as many people as possible have access to the information and the orchard.

History and background
Planning for the orchard started as early as 1998 with initial soil preparation beginning in 1999. Planting and orchard occurred during 2000. Installation of trellis and irrigation as well as important tree training occurred during 2001. The organic certification procedure is in the third year. The plot was inspected and certified by OCIA, the Organic Crop Improvement Association in 2003.

Project objectives (view details)
Soil fertility and biology
Tree vigor and ground floor management
Pest and insects
Control of apple scab and fire blight
Costs of production
Education and certification

Primary funding
The majority of the funding for installation of the orchard and ongoing research is from two sources: Project GREEEN and a special USDA grant supporting sustainable research at MSU, which is administered by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Statio n in cooperation with the C.S. Mott Chair for Sustainable Agriculture.

At right, visitors inspect apples from the project orchard.