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PennsylvaniaFruit News

VOLUME 92 October 2012 NO. 9

INSIDE THIS ISSUE... President’s MessageEditorial Views ...................................... 4

Ag Issues Update ................................... 5

FirstFruits Launches Sweetie Apple Variety ............................................... 7

Focus on Fruit Quality and Safety .......... 8

Rewarding CA Storage Technology for Fruit Growers ................................ 9

Strawberry Variety Shows Exciting Health Potential ............................... 11

2013 Mid-Atlantic Convention Set for January 29-31 ............................. 12

1-Aminocyclorporpane Carboxylic Acid Shows Promise as a Chemical Thinner for Apple ............................. 13

Predicting Flower Phenology & Viability of Highbush Blueberry ..................... 13

Obama & Romney Outline Positions on Farm Issues ................................. 14

Thomas DeNisco is Named Chairman of Apple Processors Association ....... 15

USDA Fruit Outlook ............................ 15

Barbara Christ Named Interim Dean of Penn State College of Ag Sciences ... 16

Landscape Context and Elevation Affect Pollinator Communities in Intensive Apple Orchards ................. 17

Spanish Sessions to Return to MAFVC 2013 ................................................ 17

Dr. Carl S. Bittner Travel Fellowship Award ............................ 18

Challenges and Opportunities for Obtaining Capital ............................ 19

When the workdays are long I find myself looking for excuses to get off the farm, so when a grad student from Carnegie Mellon called a few weeks ago asking questions about what a grower would need in a mechanical harvester, I soon realized my opportunity. The group of four, under the leadership of their professor Dr. Marcel Bergerman, had chosen to work on designing a robotic fruit picker. As we talked it became clear they had never seen how apples were picked. The following Saturday I was able to get away to Pittsburgh on a beautiful fall afternoon and bring them back to our farm. We all enjoyed getting to know each other and talking about the problems they would have to overcome in design. What struck me was how they saw the need for this technology and their desire to make something work that would help the fruit industry. I think I could see their brain cells dividing as we walked around the orchard. None came from a farm background or even a farming area-suburban Chicago, India, China, Pakistan. I considered this a plus because they looked at things from a different perspective. Although this project is not a formal part of the Comprehensive Automation for Specialty Crops Project (CASC) project that Penn State, CMU and others have collaborated on over the past four years, projects like it have made direct contributions to CASC. Additionally, it encourages those with non-farm backgrounds to be interested in specialty crops.

If your farm was short of labor to harvest crops this season, be sure to sit in on the two sessions Tuesday afternoon at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention concerning vacuum fruit harvesting and the future of the CASC. It will be interesting to see how private industry, universities and government are able to work together in the quest for a harvester. No doubt this technology is within reach, but how long will it be before it makes a significant, economical impact? Interesting times!

It seems there are always several problems to deal with when growing fruit-personally I am looking forward to the sessions Wednesday afternoon concerning peach planting systems and rusty spot. I wonder if anyone is evaluating ‘Carolyn’s system’ of peach training for economics and quality. My latest planting is interesting to say the least with my biggest concern being how to hide it if anyone with real knowledge would show up on my farm! I should also benefit from the topic “Common Mistakes to Avoid in Training Tall Spindle Trees” to be presented Wednesday morning. Hopefully I won’t see pictures of my orchards in that presentation!

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Adams County Nursery recognizes the importance of starting with quality nursery stock.We know it is your goal to produce high quality fruit.

We strive to produce quality trees for the commercial industry. Let us help you get started.

Begin with us. Begin well.

Adams County Nursery, Inc. • Aspers, PA • (800) 377-3106 • (717) 677-4124 fax • email: acn@acnursery.com • www.acnursery.com

Begin well.

End well.

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State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania

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EXECUTIVE BOARDPRESIDENT

Matthew Boyer, Boyer Orchards, 4116 Cortland Drive,New Paris, PA 15554 — (814) 839-4715

1st VICE PRESIDENTEd Weaver, Weaver’s Orchard,

40 Fruit Lane,Morgantown, PA 19543 — (610) 856-7300

2nd VICE PRESIDENTCarolyn McQuiston, Dawson’s Orchards,

122 Petersburg Road,Enon Valley, PA 16120 — (724) 667-7719

ELECTED COMMITTEETom Haas, Cherry Hill Orchards,

2194 New Danville Pike,Lancaster, PA 17603 — (717) 989-4271

Greg Heller, Heller Orchards,54 Orchard Street,Wapwallopen, PA 18660 — (570) 379-3419

Brian Knouse, Knouse Fruitlands Inc.P.O. Box 388Arendtsville, PA 17303-0549 — (717) 677-8842

Sidney Kuhn, Kuhn Orchards,534 Bingaman Road,Orrtanna, PA 17353 — (717) 337-1054

Leonard Tate, Leonard L. Tate Orchards,4100 Carlisle Road,Gardners, PA 17324 — (717) 486-3839

Tim Weiser, Weiser Orchards,830 Old Rt. 15,York Springs, PA 17372 — (717) 528-8321

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYMaureen Irvin

State Horticultural Association of PA480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353Phone (717) 677-4184 or Fax (717) 677-9636E-mail address: shap@embarqmail.comWebsite: shaponline.org

EDITORDr. Rob Crassweller

102 Tyson Building,Penn State UniversityUniversity Park, PA 16802Phone (814) 863-6163

EX-OFFICIOSBrad Hollabaugh — Immediate Past President

SHAPDepartment of Entomology, PSU

Dr. Larry A. HullDr. Greg Krawczyk

Department of Horticulture, PSUDr. Robert CrasswellerDr. James Schupp

Department of Plant Pathology, PSUDr. James Travis

PSU Cooperative ExtensionDr. Tara Baugher

PA Apple Marketing ProgramKarin Rodriguez, Executive Director

Department of HorticultureDelaware Valley CollegeDr. Barbara Muse

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVEMark ShannonSuterra LLC105 Beecherstown RoadBiglerville, PA 17307

Pennsylvania Fruit News ISSN1090-1264Published Monthly with the exception of a combined issue in December/January

STATE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIAPeriodical Postage Paid at Cashtown, PA 17310

POSTMASTER: Send Address Change to State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania,Orrtanna, PA 17353

State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania

PERIODICALS

POSTMASTER: If undeliverable, send notice ofForm No. 3579 to State Hort. Association of PA,ORRTANNA, PA 17353

ADVERTISINGCLASSIFIED ADS are available to members at thefollowing rates:

$12.00 - 3 lines plus, $20.00 - 6 lines plus,60 cents for each 60 cents for eachadditional word. additional word.

For all advertising information, please contact MaureenIrvin at (717) 677-4184.

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EXECUTIVE BOARDPRESIDENT Carolyn McQuiston, Dawson’s Orchards, 122 Petersburg Road, Enon Valley, PA 16120 — (724) 667-77191st VICE PRESIDENT Tim Weiser, Weiser Orchards, 830 Old Rt. 15, York Springs, PA 17372 — (717) 528-83212nd VICE PRESIDENT Tad Kuntz, Masonic Village Orchard, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 — (717) 361-4520

ELECTED COMMITTEE Greg Heller, Heller Orchards, 54 Orchard Street, Wapwallopen, PA 18660 — (570) 379-3419 Ben Keim, Keim Orchards 270 Poplar Road, Boyertown, PA 19512 — (484) 794-6104 Brian Knouse, Knouse Fruitlands Inc. P.O. Box 388 Arendtsville, PA 17303-0549 — (717) 677-8842 Sidney Kuhn, Kuhn Orchards, 221 Orchard Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353 — (717) 337-1054 Robert Shenot, Shenot Farms, 201 Peachstone Lane, Wexford, PA 15090 — (724) 935-2542 Leonard Tate, Leonard L. Tate Orchards, 4100 Carlisle Road, Gardners, PA 17324 — (717) 486-3839

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Maureen Irvin State Horticultural Association of PA 480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353 Phone (717) 677-4184 or Fax (717) 677-9636 E-mail address: shap@embarqmail.com Website: shaponline.org

EDITOR Dr. Rob Crassweller 102 Tyson Building, Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 Phone (814) 863-6163

EX-OFFICIOS Ed Weaver — Immediate Past President SHAP Department of Horticulture, Penn State University Dr. Robert Crassweller Penn State FREC Dr. James Schupp Dr. Greg Krawczyk PSU Cooperative Extension Dr. Tara Baugher PA Apple Marketing Program Karin Rodriguez, Executive Director Department of Horticulture Delaware Valley College Dr. Steve DeBroux

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVE Mark Shannon Suterra LLC 105 Beecherstown Road Biglerville, PA 17307

Statement required by 39 U.S.C. 3685. Showing the ownership, management and circulation of Pennsylvania Fruit News, published monthly at Orrtanna, PA. Filed October 1, 2012. The Publication is sent to members of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania. $20.00 of each members dues is paid for the subscription to the publication. It is edited by Dr. Robert Crassweller. The Executive Secretary is Maureen A. Irvin. The average number of copies for the past 11 months was 625 and these were sent to members and remaining copies kept on file for future use. I certify that the statements made by me are correct and complete.

Signed,Maureen A. Irvin, Executive Secretary

480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353

POSTMASTER: If undeliverable, send notice of Form No. 3579 to S.H.A.P. 480 Mountain Road, ORRTANNA, PA 17353

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EXECUTIVE BOARDPRESIDENT

Matthew Boyer, Boyer Orchards, 4116 Cortland Drive,New Paris, PA 15554 — (814) 839-4715

1st VICE PRESIDENTEd Weaver, Weaver’s Orchard,

40 Fruit Lane,Morgantown, PA 19543 — (610) 856-7300

2nd VICE PRESIDENTCarolyn McQuiston, Dawson’s Orchards,

122 Petersburg Road,Enon Valley, PA 16120 — (724) 667-7719

ELECTED COMMITTEETom Haas, Cherry Hill Orchards,

2194 New Danville Pike,Lancaster, PA 17603 — (717) 989-4271

Greg Heller, Heller Orchards,54 Orchard Street,Wapwallopen, PA 18660 — (570) 379-3419

Brian Knouse, Knouse Fruitlands Inc.P.O. Box 388Arendtsville, PA 17303-0549 — (717) 677-8842

Sidney Kuhn, Kuhn Orchards,534 Bingaman Road,Orrtanna, PA 17353 — (717) 337-1054

Leonard Tate, Leonard L. Tate Orchards,4100 Carlisle Road,Gardners, PA 17324 — (717) 486-3839

Tim Weiser, Weiser Orchards,830 Old Rt. 15,York Springs, PA 17372 — (717) 528-8321

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYMaureen Irvin

State Horticultural Association of PA480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353Phone (717) 677-4184 or Fax (717) 677-9636E-mail address: shap@embarqmail.comWebsite: shaponline.org

EDITORDr. Rob Crassweller

102 Tyson Building,Penn State UniversityUniversity Park, PA 16802Phone (814) 863-6163

EX-OFFICIOSBrad Hollabaugh — Immediate Past President

SHAPDepartment of Entomology, PSU

Dr. Larry A. HullDr. Greg Krawczyk

Department of Horticulture, PSUDr. Robert CrasswellerDr. James Schupp

Department of Plant Pathology, PSUDr. James Travis

PSU Cooperative ExtensionDr. Tara Baugher

PA Apple Marketing ProgramKarin Rodriguez, Executive Director

Department of HorticultureDelaware Valley CollegeDr. Barbara Muse

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVEMark ShannonSuterra LLC105 Beecherstown RoadBiglerville, PA 17307

Pennsylvania Fruit News ISSN1090-1264Published Monthly with the exception of a combined issue in December/January

STATE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIAPeriodical Postage Paid at Cashtown, PA 17310

POSTMASTER: Send Address Change to State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania,Orrtanna, PA 17353

State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania

PERIODICALS

POSTMASTER: If undeliverable, send notice ofForm No. 3579 to State Hort. Association of PA,ORRTANNA, PA 17353

ADVERTISINGCLASSIFIED ADS are available to members at thefollowing rates:

$12.00 - 3 lines plus, $20.00 - 6 lines plus,60 cents for each 60 cents for eachadditional word. additional word.

For all advertising information, please contact MaureenIrvin at (717) 677-4184.

14777fruitnews.qxd:Document2 3/25/09 12:28 PM Page 3

Periodical Postage Paid at Orrtanna, PA and additional entry offices

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Editorial ViewsBy Dr. Rob Crassweller

1/2 BUSHEL PEACH CRATESFOUR D LUMBER

RR#2, Box 193-A • Thompsontown, PA 17094

Distributor: BOYERNURSERYANDORCHARDS 405 Boyer Nursery Road Biglerville, PA 17307 717-677-8558 717-677-9567

REDEMPTION NOTICEMountain Orchard Cooperative, Inc. (Aspers PA) has issued a call for Revolving Fund Certificates, Series 1978, to be redeemed for cash. For processing instructions, please contact Mountain Orchard Coop. at 7720 Oxford Road, Gardners PA 17324-9616, or MOCrevfund@gmail.com

This is the part where I repeat how important support of the Research Fund is, so for those of you tired of hearing me go on about it, stop reading now. Otherwise, pull out the letter you received a few months ago and make a contribution to the SHAP Research Fund so there will continue to be answers to the season’s difficult questions.

Respectfully,

Carolyn McQuiston

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from page 1

Honeycrisp ExplosionThe Fruit Growers News, published in Michigan, came out recently with the results of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) fruit tree census (go to http://fruitgrowersnews.com to see the article). Tree fruit census data is nothing new. Pennsylvania last conducted a census in 2008, 2002 and 1997 that are available for viewing on line. Like most tree fruit producing states the number of acres continues to decline. In Michigan’s case the decline was 11,000 acres from 2000 to 2011or about one thousand acres per year. No surprise that Delicious still is the most widely planted variety followed by Golden Delicious and Jonathan. However, all those varieties are declining in acreage, while Gala and Honeycrisp are growing. The “Explosion” catapulted Honeycrisp to the seventh most popular cultivar in acreage planted just 450 less acres than the sixth planted cultivar McIntosh.

While we have not had a tree census since the 2008 growing season, at that time Honeycrisp accounted for three percent of Pennsylvania acreage. Although in that survey it listed 5.6 acres that were planted in 1989 or before. That’s a pretty good trick since Honeycrisp was not released until 1991! Based on what I have seen in the Pennsylvania orchards, I suspect that acreage has increased dramatically since the last survey.

My first trees were planted in 1995 as part of the NE-183 multistate research project. Initially all the traits for this cultivar as reported in the patent applications seem to bear true. It was of moderate vigor on M.9 rootstock, the fruit was explosively crisp, regular bearing and excellent eating quality. I was impressed enough with it to plant five times as many trees in 1999. However, as we now know, it has a tendency for early fruit drop, bitter pit, storage disorders, needs multiple harvests, can ‘runt’ out, the leaves develop Honeycrisp yellows and in warmer growing regions fruit can be difficult to get good color. So why would anyone want to plant this cultivar? One answer – price! Packers are reporting phenomenal prices; more so than any other cultivar. Local retailers can

command as much as $1.00/fruit.

Jim Schupp, while he was still at Cornell, started looking at different strains for improved color. This led to the planting of 10 different strains at Biglerville and at Rock Springs in 2008 to see if there were better coloring strains. These plantings are being supported with money from the Research Committee of SHAP.

Of course this cultivar almost did not make it out of the orchard. In fact the original tree was destroyed. The tree was believed to have been the product of a cross between Macoun and Honeygold. This later proved to be wrong and it is now known that one of the parents was a cultivar called Keepsake with an unknown second parent. The original tree was removed after severe winter injury occurred in the winter of 1976-77. Fortunately, there were some secondary trial trees that escaped the axe and it is from these trees that cultivar was developed. These secondary trees also explains why there were different strains for us to evaluate.

The U.S. patent on the cultivar expired in 2008 and now is available without paying a royalty to the University of Minnesota. In Europe the patent still persists under plant breeders rights and is sold as Honeycrunch. It is estimated that the royalties amounted to in excess of six million dollars.

As long as there are examples like Honeycrisp, growers will always be looking for the “next big thing.” Unfortunately, that may not be as readily available with the advent of clubbed cultivars.

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Ag Alliance Issues Update - October 2012Edited by Brad Hollabaugh

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FARM BILL PUT ON HOLD THROUgH NOVEMBER ELECTIONUnable to reach any compromise in the weeks leading up to the November election, Congress did not vote on a new Farm Bill, and has left for recess, putting off the task of adopting a new bill until after the November election.

Depending on the outcome of the November elections, a Farm Bill could be completed during the lame duck session, or not until early next year. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed a version of the Farm Bill, and the House Agriculture Committee adopted its own version. Both versions called for the elimination of direct payments, strengthening crop insurance, and continuing conservation program that farmers have relied on to lessen their environmental impact.

Without action by Congress, 37 titles in the Farm Bill will expire.

PENN STATE NAMES INTERIM DEAN OF AgRICULTUREPenn State has named Dr. Barbara Christ, as the Interim Dean of College of Agricultural Sciences, starting Nov 1. Dean Bruce McPheron is leaving Penn State to serve in a similar capacity at Ohio State.

Christ, who is a senior associate dean and professor, has been with the college since 1984. She was appointed senior associate dean in 2009. She has performed research in plant pathology and worked with agriculture extension leaders.

Penn State will soon launch a national search for its next dean.

2013 PROjECT YEAR APPLICATION PERIOD FOR DIRECT FARM SALES gRANT PROgRAM HAS BEgUNAn application period for grants under the Direct Farm Sales Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, has begun. For the 2013 Project Year, the application period is September 17, 2012, to November 9, 2012.

The Program provides funds to Commonwealth-based businesses that manage or operate a farm stand or farmers’ markets, nonprofit organizations, farmers and local governments for projects intended to promote new or existing farmers’ markets. Projects must pertain to the increased consumption of specialty crops.

The maximum grant amount per farm stand or farmers’ market location shall be $7,500 and applicants shall be expected to provide 25% of the approved grant amount

in matching funds or in-kind goods or services. The anticipated date for the award of grants and notice thereof is expected to be on or before February 1, 2013. The application, work plan and budget will reflect March 1, 2013, as the project start date and the project completion date will be September 30, 2013.

Hand-delivered applications must be received in the Bureau by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2012. Applications which are mailed must be postmarked no later than Friday, November 9, 2012, and received no later than November 19, 2012.

Completed applications should be addressed to or delivered to Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Distribution, Direct Farm Sales Grant Program, 2301 North Cameron Street, Room 401, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.

More information about the Program and application forms can be accessed at the Department’s web site at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under “Bureau of Food Distribution” or by contacting Sandy Hopple, (800) 468-2433.

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY EARNS BEgINNINg FARMER gRANTPenn State recently received nearly $500,000 to provide beginning farmers training and resources. The grant is part of an $18 million federal program, spread throughout 24 states, to help support the next generation of farmers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes grants available to colleges and institutions to provide education, technical assistance and outreach programs to individuals who have been farming for 10 years or less.

“In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become the second most productive sector of the American economy thanks to farmers adopting technology, reducing debt, and effectively managing risk,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “To protect and sustain these successes, we must continue to build an agriculture industry diverse and successful enough to attract the smartest, hardest-working people in the nation.”

Future funding of the program is dependent on the adoption of the next Farm Bill.

REAP TAX INCENTIVE PROgRAM AVAILABLEPennsylvania farmers can now apply for nearly $7 million in tax credits to purchase equipment, or begin best management practices that improve conservation.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection, or REAP program, is a tax incentive program for farmers who use private support to reduce erosion and sediment impacts on local waterways.

The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission, and helps agriculture producers purchase

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AG ISSUES continued from page 5

equipment, or make improvements to their property that aid in conservation of natural resources.

Farmers who have completed projects can now submit applications, and will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Private investors often provide the necessary capital to complete a project, and in return receive tax credits.

Since the program began in 2007, more than $39.5 million worth of projects have been approved. Applications for REAP are available at www.pda.state.pa.us/REAP under “Forms” or by calling 717-787-8821.

ARgUMENTS HEARD IN CHESAPEAkE BAY CASEOral arguments were heard on October 4th in Federal District Court in Harrisburg in the lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brought by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) and other agriculture organizations. The agriculture plaintiffs are challenging EPA’s authority to direct how states achieve water pollution reductions in the Chesapeake Bay through use of use of a “Total Maximum Load” (TMDL).

Attorneys for AFBF and other agriculture groups argued the federal Clean Water Act gives states, not the federal government, the power to decide how pollution reduction in the Bay will be done among the state’s landowners businesses and communities. Attorneys for the agriculture plaintiffs also argued that the Chesapeake Bay Model used by EPA to support its TMDL is illegally flawed, and that EPA failed to provide sufficient information on the Model during the public comment period that the law requires to be given allow those affected by the TMDL to adequately comment on it.

More than 20 Pennsylvania farmers, as well as staff from several state Farm Bureau organizations within the watershed, attended the court session to show their support for the legal challenge. The lawsuit was initially filed against EPA in January 2011, shortly after the agency issued its TMDL for the Bay.

DMAP PERMITS VALID FOR ARCHERY SEASONLandowners who are using the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) can enlist the help of hunters for your deer management programs throughout established deer seasons. Those seasons include early archery season in September through the last deer hunting season in January.

For every five acres of cultivated land, qualified landowners receive one DMAP coupon. The coupons can be distributed to hunters who redeem the coupon for a property-specific DMAP doe tag. To learn more visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at: www.pgc.state.pa.us.

kIDS CAN EXPLORE FARMERS’ MARkETS ONLINEThe popular agricultural education gaming site MyAmericanFarm.org now includes an updated version of the Farmers’ Market Challenge, a game that helps students in kindergarten through fifth grade practice essential math skills while learning about food and healthy choices.

After correctly answering math questions, such as how much change do you get back if you buy $2.50 worth of squash and pay the farmer $3, the player gets to read agricultural facts, such as vegetables that are high in potassium—sweet potatoes, white beans and tomatoes—are nutritious.

As with all of the games available at MyAmericanFarm.org, the Farmers’ Market Challenge is aligned to educational standards. The game also now includes an “Easy Reader” e-Comic book that takes young readers on a virtual trip to a farmers’ market with their friends.

Both the game and e-Comic can be found at http://www.myamericanfarm.org/games/farmers_market_challenge/.

AgRITOURISM WEBSITE FOCUSES ON SAFETYWith the growing popularity of taking the family to visit corn mazes, pumpkin patches and other agricultural attractions, it’s increasingly important for Agritourism farmers to keep visitors safe. A new, interactive Web guide to help farmers improve safety is available at www.safeagritourism.com.

Offered by the Marshfield Clinic, a large, multi-location medical practice in Wisconsin, the safe Agritourism guide includes walk-throughs that use photos to contrast improper practices with best practices and guidelines, checklists that farm operators can use to do their own walk-throughs and resources such as signs, policies, logos and other printable items.

The Agritourism safety Web guide was announced in conjunction with National Farm Safety and Health Week, which was Sept. 16-22. This year’s theme was “Agricultural Safety and Health…A Family Affair.”

FACT SHEET AVAILABLE ON LABELINg ORgANIC PRODUCTSUSDA has made a two-page fact sheet on labeling organic products available on the web.

The fact sheet covers the rules for both certified and uncertified operations. You can access the fact sheet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004446&acct=nopgeninfo.

PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU MOBILE Ag LAB CELEBRATES ITS 10TH YEARThe highly successful Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab program is celebrating 10 years of bringing agriculture education to more than 500,000 students. The Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a charitable organization supported by PFB, kicked off its

continued on page 7

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Sales Tip Scales For EcoApple Growers

Growers, scientists, and marketers have successfully boostedthe market for IPM-grown apples through their collaborations inthe Northeast. With IPM Partnership funds and leadership froma nonprofit called Red Tomato,( http://www.redtomato.org/ ) themultistate “Eco Apple” working group saw sales grow nearlyfive-fold over a three-year period.

What was the strategy? The group emphasized what makesEco Apples special: locally grown products, superior qualitycontrol, and the use of advanced IPM techniques based on in-depth protocols.

Aggressive promotion by Red Tomato’s dedicated staff hasbeen key, supported by the web site, (http://www.redtomato.org/ecoapple.php) IPM video, brochures, and retail displaymaterials. Distribution involves consolidating products from 13growers into coordinated customer deliveries.

Since the working group was funded in 2006, the number ofparticipating growers has doubled and sales continue to soar:

2005: $400,00018,000 cases

2006: $643,00025,000 cases

2007: $1.47 million59,400 cases

2008: $1.92 million86,876 cases

info@trickleez.com info@trickleez.com

High Tunnel Tree FruitProduction: The FinalFrontier?By Gregory A. Lang

High tunnel production systems typically use horticulturalcrops that are annually or biennially herbaceous, high invalue, short in stature, and quick to produce. At best, treefruits may fit only one of these criteria–high value. Sweetcherry (Prunus avium) may command high enough values inpremium market niches to make high tunnel productionstrategies worth attempting. Furthermore, sweet cherryproduction can be a risky endeavor, even in optimal climates,due to the potentially devastating effects of preharvest rainthat cause fruit cracking. Consequently, environmentalmodification by tunnels in regions like the Great Lakesprovides a significant risk reduction. Additional potentialbenefits, such as protection from frosts, diseases, insects,wind scarring, etc., add further production value. Multi-bayhigh tunnels were constructed in 2005 at two Michigan StateUniversity experiment stations, over established and newlyplanted sweet cherry trees on dwarfing rootstocks, to studyand optimize the effects of production environment

(continued on page 11)

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10th anniversary celebration with a recent event at an elementary school in Sunbury.

The school has hosted the ag lab since its inception. During the event, teachers at the school praised the ag lab for its educational mission, and the way that lessons are designed to get children engaged in science. “The labs really help kids develop a love of science,” said Elizabeth Vasquez, a fourth grade teacher at the school. “A lot of our students do not have agriculture experience, so it is important to bring them into the labs.”

PFB President Carl T. Shaffer, who chairs the foundation, said the popularity of the labs has allowed the foundation to expand from one lab, when the program began, to six. “The Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab program has exceeded our high expectations, providing fun, hands-on learning about food, farming and other agriculture-related products to hundreds of thousands of students across the state,” he said.

AG ISSUES continued from page 6 FirstFruits Launches Sweetie Apple VarietyPrescott, Washington based FirstFruits has begun retail shipments of Sweetie, a new red apple variety. Grown by Broetje Orchards and sold by First Fruits Marketing, the trademarked variety combines traits of Gala and Braeburn and is being offered as an intensely sweet apple, according to a news release. Like Opal, another Broetje-grown variety, Sweetie appeared in limited release initially. It went national after favorable responses from consumers of Gala and Fuji apples, according to the company.

First planted in New Zealand, Sweetie’s initial U.S. orchard was a 30-acre test block in Prescott, Wash. In the last two years, more blocks were planted. “Launching a new variety is a very complex process,” Andy Tudor, marketing manager at FirstFruits of Washington, said in the release. “The fruit needs to be grower friendly, have a good shelf life and appearance, and have some kind of unique quality to get people to try it. Sweetie has all of those characteristics.” Braeburn, one of the origins of the new variety, contributed a firm, crisp texture, according to the company.(From The Packer)

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Tuesday, December 18, 8:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC)

290 University Dr, Biglerville, PA 17307 http://agsci.psu.edu/frec

7:45 – Registration 8:00 – Horticultural Practices Focused on Fruit Quality, Jim Schupp 8:40 – Food Safety as a Part of Your Business Plan, Lee Showalter 9:10 – Break 9:30 – Effective Use of Plant Growth Regulators, Jim Schupp 10:15 – Monitoring Fruit Maturity for Optimum Marketability, Rob Crassweller 11:00 – Grower Perspectives on Practices that Promote Fruit Quality and Safety, Dave Wenk, Dave Kuhn, David Rice (moderated by Tara Baugher) 11:45 – Wrap-Up Noon – Catered Lunch at Biglerville Firehall; Hands-on Display of Fruit Maturity Monitoring Tools 1:30 – Pruning for Fruit Quality – Penn State FREC Orchards This afternoon session in the field is free and will be conducted in Spanish and English; no need to pre-register

Speakers Dr. Jim Schupp, Penn State FREC Lee Showalter, Rice Fruit Company Dr. Rob Crassweller, Penn State Department of Plant Science Dave Wenk, Three Springs Orchard Dave Kuhn, Kuhn Orchards David Rice, Rice Fruit Company Dr. Tara Baugher, Penn State Extension Bruce Hollabaugh, Hollabaugh Orchards (Spanish Interpreter for pruning demo)

Please register by Dec. 10th at http://extension.psu.edu/fruit-times or call 888-472-0261 (toll free). $55 fee includes lunch and handouts 1 Core, 1 Category Certification Credit:

www.paplants.state.pa.us

Focus on Fruit Quality and Safety

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

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Rewarding CA Storage Technology for Fruit GrowersThe proof is clearly demonstrated by the rewarding results experienced by the fruit growers with the increasing demand for their supply chain of apples and pears to the leading supermarket groups. In co-operation with the Storage Control Systems Inc (SCS) of Michigan USA and International Controlled Atmosphere Ltd (ICA) UK SRS Frigadon has been offering total turn-key packaged gas-tight cold stores, pack houses and distribution centers which allow the growers to keep fruit and vegetables in just the right condition throughout the year. Sophisticated control systems allow them to monitor and adjust conditions to the finest temperature degree. Fruit growing companies such as Lake Breeze in the USA and Mansfield’s Fruit Farms (Mansfield’s being the largest apple grower in the UK) have good experience with the deployment of the SRS (Secondary Refrigerant Systems) incorporated the Frigadon chillers. The system design utilizing Hycool potassium formate heat transfer fluids (not glycol) and the large surfaced area SRS ‘Blow Through’ ‘BTL’ coils has a proven economic track record in terms of capital costs and reduced refrigeration energy usage compared with traditional cooling systems.

Shoppers expect the apples to be crisp and fresh and to look as rosy as a well polished Braeburn apple whenever they buy them despite the fact that they might have been picked as long as 11 months previous. The solution to maintaining fruit in an excellent condition is the Hycool fluids which with its high volumetric efficiencies compared with other fluids will insure minimal energy consumption. The rapid removal of product field heat which is achieved by using Hycool as the circulating heat transfer fluid is the key to the long term preservation of quality and flavor of the fruit.

The need for on-site nitrogen is growing in many industries which in addition to creating a controlled atmosphere, nitrogen can also be used for blanketing, sparging, anti-oxidant and a variety of other applications. An airtight room is essential for proper controlled atmosphere storage of fruits and vegetables especially with the recent recommendations for ultra-low oxygen environments.

Low energy consumption is crucial for the long term storage of fruit and this is partially achieved by the utilization of the Frigadon ‘OCD’ (Off Cycle Defrost) method of defrost for storage of apples at +2ºC without the need for expensive forced defrost. This process allows the fluid temperature to rise, thus effectively melting the ice from within the coil with the minimal of disturbance to the pre-existing temperature and humidity balance.

Furthermore in the UK there are many installations

operating at the lower temperatures of at -0.5ºC for the long term storage of pears which are operating on the same principle as the Frigadon ‘OCD’ system. Whilst these Secondary Refrigeration Systems operate at very narrow TD (temperature difference) with Hycool fluid flow temperatures as high as -4ºC / 0ºC this enables the BTL coils to operate without the risks of ice build-up which is often associated with the more conventional refrigeration systems. Ice on coils means less efficiency and higher energy costs. Servicing and maintenance of Secondary Refrigerant Systems is a low cost overhead compared with DX, NH3 and CO2 due to their complexities.

The Hycool® heat transfer fluid with its low viscosity and thermodynamic properties has an excellent environmental profile. This is measured in ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) at zero and the value of ecological impact GWP (Global Warming Potential) is also at zero.

In recognition of the global environmental issues and the increasing demands for zero climatic impact these SRS Frigadon chillers can be supplied with the natural refrigerants R1270 / R290 hydrocarbon primary refrigerants gases. Hydrocarbon refrigerants give the opportunity of more efficient COP (Co-efficient of Performance) compared with the use of traditional synthetic HFC refrigerant gases.

In addition to minimizing energy consumption this technique of Secondary Refrigeration System engineering using Hycool enables the fruit growers to offer their stored apples & pears to be maintained to be equally compared with the natural freshly harvested crispy natural fruit. These ‘Controlled Atmosphere’ systems together with the SRS Frigadon chillers, Hycool fluids and BTL coils are offered by such companies as AEG, Rochester New York State, SCS located in Sparta USA, Versatile Refrigeration in Vancouver, Canada and ICA located in Paddock Wood UK. (From Growing)

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Mid-atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention

January 29-31, 2013

10

11

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A Queensland, Australia strawberry-breeding program has uncovered what could become the nutritional power-berry of the strawberry industry. Researchers from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture Food and Innovation (QAAFI), Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and CSIRO (Animal, Food and Health Sciences) have recently completed a study on several current commercial and trial varieties to evaluate and compare phytochemical content and antioxidant capacities. They also investigated the correlation between the color of the fruit and the phytochemical levels.

As a result of the study, a line of strawberry currently being developed by the Queensland Strawberry Breeding Program in Nambour, on the Sunshine Coast, has been found to be an exceptional source of the phytochemical anthocyanin, with about twice the levels of current commercial varieties. It was also found that the depth of color of the fruit had a direct correlation to the level of anthocyanin content. The breeding program is led by DAFF with funds from Horticulture Australia Ltd using the Strawberry levy and matched funds from the Australian Government, with support from the Queensland Government and the strawberry industry (Strawberries Australia Inc.). According to Kent Fanning, Ph.D., from Agri-Science

Queensland, the health benefits of fruit and vegetables are in part due to the presence of phytochemicals, which have been reported to have anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-hypertensive properties. “Breeding programs have traditionally been used to develop increased disease resistance and plant adaptability,” he said. “However in recent years, interest in developing new varieties for health-related benefits has increased. “Not only does the development of nutritionally rich fruit benefit consumers, but may also benefit farmers and processors through increased returns for higher-value products. “The breeding line identified is a promising basis for developing nutritionally enhanced fruit. “Although it is not currently a commercially viable variety, this particular trial line has revealed its potential to be used in the development of phytochemically rich strawberry cultivars,” Dr Fanning said.

The DAFF breeding program has been responsible for developing a number of new strawberry varieties that are suitable to Queensland growers, the most successful to date being Rubygem, with more than 3 million plants producing fruit each year.

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2013 Mid-Atlantic Convention Set for January 29-31The 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention will be held January 29 to 31, 2013, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Over 2,100 fruit, vegetable, and berry growers and other industry persons from throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond are expected to attend. This year’s convention will again feature an expanded trade show with over 165 exhibitors expected plus pre-convention workshops.

The day before the main Convention opens, several special workshops will be offered. Challenges and Opportunities for Obtaining Capital with Dr. Clark Seavert from Oregon State University is one of the workshops. Other pre-convention workshops include Vegetable Grafting, Soil Borne Vegetable Pathogens, Developing a Farm Food Safety Plan and Successful Gift Baskets. Special workshops on customer service presented by ZingTrain will be presented on the afternoons of January 29 and 30. On January 30, the session “Técnicas de Producción de Frutas y Hortalizas” will be presented especially for Spanish speaking workers in the fruit and vegetable industries. It will feature various relevant production presentations in Spanish. That evening workshops on Vegetable Seed Heat Treatment, Cut Flower Arranging and Cooking with Vegetables will be offered.

The Mid-Atlantic Convention has been jointly sponsored by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, the Maryland State Horticultural Society and the New Jersey State Horticultural Society for the past 35 years. The Pennsylvania State University, University of Maryland and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension plus the National Peach Council all assist in organizing the three days of educational sessions. The Convention has become one of the premier grower meetings in the Northeast.

The Great American Hall at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center will host the main part of the Trade Show. Additional exhibit space was added beginning last year in the Aztec Room. Specialized horticultural equipment, farm market merchandise, and packaging, will all be on display along with information on the latest seed varieties, fruit varieties, pesticides and other supplies and services for the commercial grower.

Many pesticide applicator update training credits are available to Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey growers attending the sessions. The program covers nearly every aspect of fruit, vegetable, potato and berry production. Commercial growers should not pass up this terrific educational opportunity.

Eight concurrent educational sessions will be offered on all three days of the Convention. Besides a combined session for the keynote address, the opening day will

feature breakout sessions on Tree Fruit, Sweet Corn, Direct and Wholesale Marketing, Organic Vegetables, Snap Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Soil Health, Bedding Plants, Mums, Nutrient Management, Value Added Products and Labor/Farm Management.

On the second day, sessions on Direct Marketing, Greenhouse Production, Tomatoes, Tree Fruit, Peaches, Small Fruit, Potatoes, Wine Grapes, Onions and Vegetable Crops for Winter Sales will be offered. The Convention will close on the third day with sessions on: Peaches, Tree Fruit, Small Fruit, Direct Marketing, High Tunnels, Cut Flowers, Pumpkins, Vine Crops, Invasive Species, Farm Taxes/Estate Planning, and General Vegetables.

The seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Cider Contest will be conducted during the Convention to determine the best tasting cider produced in the region. On January 29, fruit and vegetable growers will gather for the annual Fruit and Vegetable Growers Banquet which will include awards and recognitions. On January 30, there will be an Ice Cream Social in the evening.

Registration is required for all persons attending the Convention trade show or educational sessions. Registration with any of the four sponsoring organizations allows one to attend any of the sessions although there are additional charges for some workshops and meals. For further information, go to www.mafvc.org or call 717-677-4184 or 717-694-3596.

2013MID-ATLANTICfruit & vegetable convention

13

Wally Heuser Wanda Heuser Gale Jan Melvin Katie Schuld Dawn Melvin

1-Aminocyclorporpane Carboxylic Acid Shows Promise as a Chemical Thinner for AppleBy J. Schupp, T. Kon, H. E. Winzler

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the efficacy of several concentrations of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) for thinning apple at the standard growth stage for chemical thinning timing and a late thinning growth stage. ACC was applied at concentrations of 0, 100, 300, or 500 mg·L−1 to ‘Golden Delicious’/Bud.9 apple trees at 10 mm or 20 mm fruit diameter. Treatments were applied to the point of drip to individual whole

trees in a completely randomized design with five (2010) and six (2011) replications. When ACC was applied at 20 mm, there was a linear dose relationship between concentration and fruit thinning in both years. ACC was ineffective at 10 mm. The naturally occurring compound ACC shows potential for use as a reliable late chemical thinner for apple.(From HortScience 47:1308)

Predicting Flower Phenology & Viability of Highbush Blueberry By Kirk & R. Isaacs

To maximize yield of pollination-dependent agricultural crops, farmers must ensure that sufficient pollinators are present when flowers are open and viable. We characterized and compared the lower development threshold temperature, bloom phenology, and flower viability of five common cultivars of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) to enable prediction of when flowers would be available for pollination. Threshold temperatures of all cultivars were found to be very similar and range between 7 and 8 °C. Logistic regression was used to characterize bloom phenology for all cultivars

under field and greenhouse conditions. Bloom phenology under greenhouse conditions was delayed ≈100 growing degree-days when compared with field conditions. Average flower viability was determined daily from first flower opening until 5 days after flower opening for each cultivar. Results indicated declining flower viability with increasing flower age with most flowers unsuitable for pollination more than 4 days after opening. Implications of these results for planning pollination of highbush blueberry fields are discussed.(From HortScience 47:1291)

7

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In Memory OfPaul Harner

Paul S. Harner January 19, 1914 -September9, 2008 Paul S. Harner, 94, of State College,died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at The Fairways atBrookline Village in State College. Born Jan.19, 1914, in Natrona, he was a son of the lateMelvin C. and Alma J. Sechman Harner. In1941, he married Emily F. Wilbur, who diedOct. 14, 1985. On June 14, 1988, he marriedMarcella M. Albright, who survives at home.

He was a 1932 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School. He earneda Bachelors Degree in Horticulture from Penn State in 1939. Hewas the founder and operator of Harner Fruit Farm. After heretired in 1978, he operated Grandfather's Perennial Flowers atthe farm's market. Paul was a member of St. Paul LutheranChurch in Pine Grove Mills. He was also a member of the StateHorticulture Society of Pennsylvania and the Penn State AlumniAssociation. He served on the Ferguson Township School Boardand the State College Area School District's Board. Paul wasinvolved in the founding of Welch Pool and with the planningand fund raising for the Snider Agricultural Arena on the PennState campus. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons,Danny R. Harner and his wife, Pamela, of State College, DavidC. Harner and his wife, Gail, of Gulf Port, Fla., and Earle W.Harner and his wife, Larissa, and Thompson P. Harner and hiswife, Nancy, of State College; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Visitation was Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at KochFuneral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Funeralservice was Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, at St. Paul Lutheran Church,with Rev. Gregory P. Harbaugh officiating. Burial was in PineHall Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. PaulLutheran Church, 227 West Pine Grove Road, P.O. Box 277,Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868.

In Memory OfC. Marshall Ritter

Crum Marshall Ritter June 7, 1923 - January3, 2009 He was educated in the elementaryand secondary schools in West Virginia,Kentucky and Alabama, graduating fromAnniston, Ala. High School in 1941. Heattended Alabama Polytechnic Institute in thefall semester and transferred to WVU in Dec.of 1941. He enlisted in the Army in May 1942and served in Africa, Sicily and Italy. He

received the Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Following hisdischarge, he taught high school for one year. In June 1946 hemarried Anna Margaret Patterson: issue Susan Isabel, C. MarshallJr. (deceased), William Laird and Elizabeth Lee. His secondmarriage was to Adelaide B. Morgan in 1989. No issue. Heattended WVU receiving a BS AGR and MS and attended TheOhio State University where he was awarded a PhD. He taughtfor 33 years at The Pennsylvania State University in Horticulture,retiring in 1983. He then formed an orchard consulting companyand later became partner with his wife, Adelaide Morgan, inMorgan Orchard. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church,having served as a Deacon and Elder and was a representative tothe General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. He is survivedby his wife, Adelaide; three children, six grandchildren, fourgreat-grandchildren, three stepdaughters, one stepson and sevenstep-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Monroe CountyPublic Library, 103 South Street, Union, West Virginia, 24983.

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14

Obama & Romney Outline Positions on Farm IssuesPresident Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney recently spelled out their positions on agriculture issues for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a questionnaire, both candidates went into detail about their positions on energy, environmental regulations, farm labor and more. Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers most. This election, energy issues and farm policy are the driving forces in the candidate’s responses.

“Our rural communities, farmers and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy,” Obama responded. “Last year, rural America produced enough renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to meet roughly 8 percent of our needs, helping us increase our energy independence to its highest level in 20 years…and the new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) helped boost biodiesel production to nearly 1 billion gallons in 2011, supporting 39,000 jobs.”

Romney, too, supports the RFS and other agriculture-derived energies. “I have a vision for an America that is an energy superpower, rapidly increasing our own production and partnering with our allies, Canada and Mexico, to achieve energy independence on this continent

by 2020,” said Romney. “The increased production of biofuels plays an important part in my plan to achieve energy independence. In order to support increased market penetration and competition among energy sources, I am in favor of maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

On farm policy, Obama said he understands the need for a strong farm safety net. “That’s why I increased the availability of crop insurance and emergency disaster assistance to help over 590,000 farmers and ranchers keep their farms in business after natural disasters and crop loss,” he said. “My administration expanded farm credit to help more than 100,000 farmers struggling during the financial crisis…and as farmers continue to go through hard times because of this drought, we are expanding access to low-interest loans, encouraging insurance companies to extend payment deadlines and opening new lands for livestock farmers to graze their herds.”

Romney said he supports passage of a strong farm bill “that provides the appropriate risk management tools that will work for farmers and ranchers throughout the country.” He also pointed out that his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), voted for drought relief—a bill which

continued on page 15

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Thomas DeNisco is Named Chairman of Apple Processors AssociationThomas M. DeNisco, Vice-President, General Manager & CFO of Knouse Foods Cooperative, Inc. has been elected Chairman of the Apple Processors Association (APA). DeNisco will serve a two-year term as industry leader of the 25-year old association charged with representing and improving the nation’s apple processing industry. DeNisco is a 20-year financial executive with the apple processing industry, and a native of Buffalo, New York. He was named Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Knouse Foods Cooperative, Inc. in November, 1992, elected the firm’s Treasurer in November, 2000, and became General Manager in 2005. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1974, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Executives Institute, and the Institute of Cooperative Financial Officers.

DeNisco has served on the Apple Processors Association board since 2010, and has been instrumental in decision-making effecting national legislative and regulatory issues, as well as product production, marketing, sales, and foreign trade. The Apple Processors Association was founded in 1987, as a national association of companies that manufacture quality food products from whole apples. Members are apple grower/processor companies

the Senate never took up.

When asked why farmers should vote for them, Obama said he is committed to strengthening rural America through growing products that the world wants to buy and restoring middle class values of hard work and play. He further said, “I am the only candidate that is committed to strengthening the farm safety net, strengthening rural economic growth and supporting rural investments in clean energy.”

Romney said if he were elected, he would give farmers relief from hefty environmental regulations, as well as “a common sense energy policy that develops our resources right here at home; a renewed focus on opening new markets; and a pro-growth tax policy that encourages investment and recognizes that death should not be a taxable event.”

To view the full questionnaires and responses, go to: http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=legislative.2012presidentialQuestionnaire .

OBAMA ROMNEY continued from page 14 and cooperatives and suppliers to the industry. APA members produce a majority of the nation’s applesauce, fresh apple juice, and specialty apple products. APA has its headquarters in the Nation’s Capital. “We are delighted to have Tom DeNisco as chairman of our association,” says Paul S. Weller, Jr., president of the Apple Processors Association. “He brings solid financial and management experience to our industry at a most opportune time.” To learn more about APA, visit www.appleprocessors.org.

USDA Fruit OutlookBy Agnes Perez & Kristy Plattner

In August, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) initial forecast for the 2012 U.S. apple crop was 8.1 billion pounds, down 14 percent from a year ago and the smallest in over two decades. Multiple spring freezes significantly reduced crops across the central and eastern U.S. apple-growing regions while a fairly normal growing season encouraged reasonable-sized crops in the western region. Although shipments are up thus far, anticipated production shortages in the central and eastern regions are boosting demand for western U.S. apples, resulting in strong early-season apple grower prices.

The 2012 U.S. pear crop was forecast by NASS in August at 1.76 billion pounds, down 8 percent from a year ago. Replenishing energy from last year’s large crop and unfavorable weather this growing season was behind this decline. Among the top three producing States, production is forecast to decline in Washington and California but to increase slightly in Oregon. With the fresh-market share of total utilized production remaining at over 60 percent in recent years, ERS projects U.S. fresh pear production in 2012/13 to be down 11 percent from 2011/12. This decline should elevate 2012/13 fresh pear grower prices, especially as competing U.S. fresh-apple supplies are also anticipated to be down.

Back in August, NASS forecast the 2012 U.S. grape crop at 14.6 billion pounds, down 1 percent from a year ago. While deep production cuts are expected in many States, forecast steady production in California and a significant boost in Washington will temper the overall decline. A forecast 9-percent bigger wine-grape crop in California should offset forecast declines in the States’ table- and raisin-grape crops. California’s crop matured ahead of last year’s delayed crop and this is being reflected in higher shipments thus far. As a result, fresh grape grower prices declined below a year ago in August.

NASS forecasts the 2012 U.S. tart cherry crop to be only 73.1 million pounds, down 68 percent from a year ago. This huge decline, combined with low carryover stocks, should lead to tight overall supplies of frozen tart cherries, raising tart cherry grower prices to near or at record-setting levels. (Full report viewable at http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/922673/fts353.pdf

16

Barbara Christ Named Interim Dean of Penn State College of Ag SciencesBarbara Christ, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college while a national search for a permanent replacement gets under way. Current Dean Bruce McPheron announced his plans to take on the role of vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, his undergraduate alma mater, in November.

Christ’s appointment will be effective Nov. 1, when she takes responsibility for leading the college’s nine academic units and an extension program that reaches into every Pennsylvania county to deliver University programs. With 1,077 employees, 3,000 undergraduate students and 460 graduate students, the College of Agricultural Sciences also invests nearly $97 million in research and graduate study yearly.

“Barbara Christ has been on the college faculty since 1984 and her experience not only within the college, but also within the agricultural community and among researchers is extensive and noteworthy,” said Robert Pangborn, interim executive vice president and provost. “She is the perfect candidate to lead the college during this period of transition and her experience as senior associate dean within the college will allow the college to keep its focus on its core missions.”

Christ was named senior associate dean in 2009 after serving four years as head of the Department of Plant Pathology. She has been a member of the college faculty

for 28 years and has broad experience as a researcher with a focus on potato breeding and disease management. She joined the plant pathology faculty as an assistant professor in 1984, became associate professor in 1990 and attained the rank of full professor in 2000. She previously worked as a research assistant in the plant pathology department of the University of Minnesota and has served as president of the American Phytopathological Society.

In her role as senior associate dean, Christ has wide-ranging duties that touch on all aspects of the college, including strategic planning, budgeting, personnel, promotion and tenure, external relations and day-to-day operations. She played a key role in helping to plan and implement the college’s recent restructuring, which resulted in the reorganization of its academic departments and statewide extension programs.

Christ holds a bachelor of science degree in plant science from Penn State, a master’s degree in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota and a doctoral degree in botany from the University of British Columbia. She also has worked extensively with agricultural Extension leaders and agricultural industries in Pennsylvania and nationally.

The national search for a permanent dean for the college will be launched in the near future, according to Pangborn.

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Landscape Context and Elevation Affect Pollinator Communities in Intensive Apple OrchardsBy L. Marini, M. Quaranta, P. Fontana, J. Biesmeijer, R. Bommarco

Although an extensive research has been done on the contribution of wild insects to apple pollination, most of these studies did not evaluate the effect of the surrounding landscape context on local pollinator communities. Our aim was to compare communities of wild bees in 31 equally managed apple orchards located in three contrasting landscape types (either dominated by apple, forest, or grasslands) and along an elevation gradient and to test a potential interaction between landscape context and elevation. The study was carried out in 2009 in Trentino (NE Italy), one of the major apple growing areas of Europe with ∼12,000 ha of commercial orchards distributed between 150 and 950 m a.s.l. We found that apple-dominated landscapes drastically reduced wild bee species richness and abundance in the orchard compared to landscapes dominated by either grassland or forest. Forest-dominated landscapes benefited local species

richness more than grassland-dominated landscapes, while abundance did not differ between grassland and forest. Total species richness and abundance further declined with increasing elevation, while no interactive effect was found between temperature and landscape context. The abundance of Apis mellifera in the apple-dominated landscapes was two to four times higher than in the landscapes dominated by forest and grasslands, respectively. Measures to restore natural pollinator communities by providing suitable habitats around the orchard would not only benefit conservation of general biodiversity, but would probably also contribute to reduce the dependence of apple pollination on managed honey bees.(From Basic & Appl. Ecol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2012.09.003)

Spanish Sessions to Return to MAFVC 2013

For a fourth year, Penn State Cooperative Extension is organizing a day of sessions presented in Spanish to be held at the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA. Researchers and educators from Penn State Cooperative Extension, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University and the University of Maryland will share their expertise and advice on a wide range of relevant topics that were selected in response to last year’s participant surveys.

The 2013 line up will address:

Ensuring Food Safety in the US and Central American Fruits and Vegetables

Personal Protective Equipment

Organic Insect Management IPM for Major Insect Pests of Blueberries

Basic Concepts of Plant Disease

Working Efficiently in the Apple Orchard

Pests, Pesticides and People’s Health: Why IPM is Important

And a brief update from the Young Grower Alliance about their partnership with a community ag project in Talolinga, Nicaragua.

Look for more details and registration forms in future issues! For more information, contact Catherine Lara, cyL1@psu.edu.

Spanish Sessions to Return to MAFVC 2013

18

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Bittner Travel Fellowship Award is to expose young people working in the Pennsylvania fruit industry to new ideas on fruit production being used in other areas of the world. In order to do this, the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania has established a Fellowship of up to $500 that can be awarded annually to someone working in the fruit industry, and promoting leadership within the society.

RECIPIENT: Must be a fruit grower, or someone else 18 yrs. or older, associated with fruit production in Pennsylvania who would like to travel outside the state of Pennsylvania.

The recipient would be expected to make a short presentation to the SHAP membership at the annual meeting concerning the information learned in this travel.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To apply, a brief explanation of the proposed trip should be submitted in writing. The application letter should include the name, address, age, and potential trip being considered by the applicant.

Applications should be submitted by November 1st to be considered for use during the subsequent year. Applications for the award should be submitted to:

Maureen Irvin, Executive Secretary State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania

480 Mountain Road Orrtanna, PA 17353

The SHAP Board of Directors will review the nominations prior to their November Board meeting, at which time they will make the final decision.

The award will be presented at the Annual Fruit and Vegetable Growers Dinner in January.

Dr. Carl S. Bittner Travel Fellowship Award Sponsored by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania

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REGISTRATION FORM—MAFVC Pre-Conference Workshop Registration Deadline—January 21, 2013; Space is Limited!

Name______________________________________________ Business____________________________________

List additional persons attending_____________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________________ State________________ Zip____________________

Daytime Phone ______________________________ Evening Phone________________________________________

E-mail_________________________________________________________________________

Registration Fee: $60 (Includes lunch) Total Enclosed: $60 x ________ = $_________ Please make checks payable to: State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania Please return registration form and payment to: Maureen Irvin, Executive Secretary State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania 480 Mountain Road Orrtanna, PA 17353

Challenges and Opportunities for Obtaining Capital — Special Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Pre-Conference Workshop —

Monday, Jan 28, 2013 from 9am - 4pm

Hershey Lodge and Convention Center 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

with special guest speaker Dr. Clark Seavert

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