You bring your interest and hopes for your own orchard business. We expose you to what you need to know and plan for as you plant trees and grow.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we cannot schedule and plan for this program (traditionally offered in early March) given all the unknowns surrounding whether face-to-face instruction will be possible in March and whether the program would attract enough participants. Planning has begun to create some videos using some of the material from the Beginning Apple Grower School. These videos will be available through the CIAS website with this page as a portal. If you are interested in receiving updates on the availability of these videos, send an email to John Hendrickson (jhendric@wisc.edu). Thank you and we apologize for the interruption in our beginning grower school programming.

Details about the Midwest School for Beginning Apple Growers

The intensive three-day course demonstrates what it takes to set up and run a successful orchard business.

What do we offer?

• A unique program that combines knowledge from experienced growers and UW faculty
• Opportunities to understand basic concepts in apple production and what it takes to organize and succeed in this type of business
• A holistic approach to growing and marketing
• Extended time with experienced growers, each offering unique perspectives, invaluable tips and practical know-how
• A chance to network and learn from fellow orchardists, farmers and entrepreneurs

Our intensive, three-day course gives you a realistic picture of what it takes to run a successful orchard operation—including capital, management, labor and other resources. Topics include soil fertility, pest management, business planning, risk management, recordkeeping, marketing and economics.  Grower-instructors primarily teach the course, with featured presentations and hands-on labs by UW faculty and other specialists. Grower-instructors’ farms vary in scale, marketing strategies and growing methods.

Scheduling

The three-day course is usually held in January, February or early March.

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for people who are serious about starting an orchard business in the Midwest. To learn more about this school, contact John Hendrickson at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison, (608) 265-3704 or jhendric@wisc.edu.

For more information and application materials contact:

John Hendrickson
Phone: (608) 265-3704
E-mail: jhendric@wisc.edu

U.S. Mail:
c/o CIAS
1535 Observatory Drive
UW-Madison
Madison, WI 53706