Join us, along with a handful of New York State’s finest apple growers and cidermakers, as we get down to the real grit of apple growing! We’re proud to be a part of this wonderful team of teachers…
Groundswell is honored to be working with an outstanding group of orchardists who have designed the course. They will be teaching and hosting these hands-on sessions at orchards around the Tompkins County area. This is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the region’s most respected and innovative growers. Beginning and experienced commercial producers and serious homestead orchardists are invited to participate. The class will meet one Sunday each month from 1:00 – 4:00 PM and will include hands-on learning as well as recommended readings.
CURRICULUM COORDINATOR: Chris Negronida, West Haven Farm Orchard & Black Diamond Farm
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS: Eric Shatt, Redbyrd Orchard Cider & Cornell Orchards; Melissa Madden & Garrett Miller, Good Life Farm; Ian Merwin, Black Diamond Farm & Professor Emeritus, Cornell Horticulture; Autumn Stoscheck, Eve’s Cidery; Mike Biltonen, Red Jacket Orchards; Brian Caldwell, Hemlock Grove Farm & Cornell Horticulture
Registration and more info here
COURSE OUTLINE
January – Introduction to the course & Instructors, Comparing and contrasting organic vs. “holistic”, Orchard design and site selection, Training systems , Fencing, irrigation and other orchard infrastructure
February – Pruning
March – Grafting
April – Training Systems, Planting and Orchard Equipment
May – Spring Season Pest and Ground Cover Management
June – Thinning
July – No class
August – Summer Pest and Ground Cover Management
September – Harvest and Fruit Evaluation
October – Fruit Storage, Marketing and Course Wrap-up
Categories: In the Orchard, Orchard Workshops
Redbyrd Orchard Cider 