Wisconsin Apple Growers Association - Field Days

2ndHand

5 year old buck +
Took a day of vacation today and went to the WAGA Field Days in Poynette WI. Met a lot of friendly apple growers, and a few UW horticulture specialist who presented info on entomology and plant pathology . It was interesting to see the various trees/root stocks and growing methods - e.g., trellis systems. Hoping to start the development of a small 5 acre orchard in a couple of years - with a goal of producing a little retirement income in about 10 years. Never to early to start planning...
 
What type of system? With today's growing systems 5 acres is not small. Small compared to big orchards but big for a person's retirement orchard. Hope you've got plenty of help!
 
BTW, I go to a lot of field days/talks out here, lotta fun.
 
What type of system? With today's growing systems 5 acres is not small. Small compared to big orchards but big for a person's retirement orchard. Hope you've got plenty of help!

Maya, Thanks for your thoughts, pretty sure I should be able to hire help if necessary. The orchard I visited yesterday was operated by 4 family members, they didn't hire outside labor. Planning on taking the UW's course for Beginning Apple Growers in the spring.
 
2ndhand is that course on line or in person/classroom?
 
That should work well 2ndHand, best of luck. What system do you think you are shooting for?

I just got in from doing some ground maintenance. Taking a break and then going back out. It never ends. Looks like I'm not going to have to much due to the hail, maybe 100 bushel.Trees are bouncing back well though. Mother nature is one of the hardest parts of running an orchard.
 
That should work well 2ndHand, best of luck. What system do you think you are shooting for?

I just got in from doing some ground maintenance. Taking a break and then going back out. It never ends. Looks like I'm not going to have to much due to the hail, maybe 100 bushel.Trees are bouncing back well though. Mother nature is one of the hardest parts of running an orchard.

Hey Maya, Sorry to hear about the hail damage - the orchard I visited yesterday had early season hail, they said they had enough hail that required snow plows to move. I have a lot to learn before I will know what will be the most appropriate planting method(s), a high intensive trellis system looks appealing, but it will take a number of years of growing experience before considering that type of investment. Hope to visit a number of different orchards this year.

Thanks!
 
Hope to visit a number of different orchards this year.

Have you visited Cain's Orchard in Hixton? If not it may be useful to visit it because it may have similar geography as your land. (Assuming your plans for an Orchard are at your hunting land)
 
Have you visited Cain's Orchard in Hixton? If not it may be useful to visit it because it may have similar geography as your land. (Assuming your plans for an Orchard are at your hunting land)

Hey Kabic, Thanks for the suggestion! I haven't had a chance to visit Cain's yet, but I did talk with Diane Cain earlier this year about root stocks and the type they were using in their orchard. I hope to make it to their orchard during the upcoming Blueberry harvest. My current plan is to have the orchard at the property in Jackson County, but if things change in that area with mining, I may consider Rock County where my parents have some available acres.

Thanks...;)
 
Cain's is the orchard we go to the most, the other is Ferguson's Orchard in Galesville. I know there are a few others in the area but have never been to them.
 
Cain's is the orchard we go to the most, the other is Ferguson's Orchard in Galesville. I know there are a few others in the area but have never been to them.

Thanks for the info Kabic...;)
 
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