Wisconsin Apple Growers Association's 2005 Strategy

Strategic Approach

The Wisconsin Apple Growers Association (WAGA) is dedicated to reducing pesticide risk through promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to its member growers and others. WAGA supports educational opportunities for all Wisconsin growers in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and Extension. Together, we work on research and outreach for pesticide risk reduction.

Progress on 2004 Activity 1

Wisconsin Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conference

The 2004 conference was held January 4-6, 2004 at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc and was well attended. Sheri Young from CIAS, UW-Madison presented a session on the Eco-Apple project and shared that two grower networks would be established for the 2004 grower season.

Progress on 2004 Activity 2

Wisconsin Apple IPM Field Days

WAGA's Apple IPM Field Day was held on July 1, 2004 at Brightonwoods Orchard in Burlington. Participation was excellent. This entire day was focused on implementing IPM practices and included sessions on the Basics of IPM; Summer Disease Complex; Beneficial Insects; Mite Control in an IPM Context; Exotic Pests; an Eco-Apple Update from Sheri Young; and an Eco Apple Growing & Marketing Panel of growers participating in the network. The network growers were very excited about the EC Apple project and commented that it was really making a positive difference for them in improving their management and reducing pesticide risk. Other growers are interested in getting involved in either a formal or self-organized network but a lack of coaches for IPM is a concern.

Progress on 2004 Activity 3

Wisconsin Summer Apple Field Day

WAGA's Summer Apple Field Day was held on July 26, 2004 at Oakwood Fruit Farm in Richland Center. The day featured horticulture and pest management tours that looked at cultural activities i.e. thinning and weed management as well as scouting and management of insects and disease.

Progress on 2004 Activity 4

Eco-Apple Project

Twelve growers from Northeast and Southwest Wisconsin participated in two networks this year. Each network had a coach who worked with the network as a whole and who visited one-on-one with growers. WAGA collected pesticide use and IPM data for CIAS to analyze. Analysis should be complete in Spring 2005. The Eco-Apple team met a number of times in 2004. In spring, we launched the networks and discussed tox scoring issues. In November we met to discuss the network's progress and to further refine the tox scores. We hope to have a final refinement ready for reporting in Spring 2005. The team also met several times to develop a proposal for the NRCS EQIP program. We presented to the NRCS State Technical Committee in May, participated in a STC subcommittee that developed a final proposal for a statewide pilot project and then presented that pilot to the STC in January 2005. As a result, there is a 2005 sign-up for growers with a $39/acre incentive payment to scout orchards.

Activities for the Coming Year

Activity 1

2005 Wisconsin Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Conference; Winter Pruning Clinic; IPM Field Day and Summer Apple Field Day.

How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?

Grower education in IPM is essential to support growers in their efforts to better manage their orchards and reduce pesticide risk.

How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?

By the number of growers participating in the events and their interest in the Eco-Apple Project.

Activity 2

Eco-Apple Project

This year we will 1) continue support for the farmer networks and investigate ways to add more networks in underserved parts of the state. 2) We will collect data and run tox and IPM scores for participating growers. 3) We will assist in signing up growers in the EQIP program and making sure that they have the support they need to develop plans, contracts, and to implement them. 4) We are also committed to developing a comprehensive orchard management technical standard for EQIP.