Success StoryTraining new orchard manager
Training new orchard manager
Author: Adam Leonberger
Planning Unit: Franklin County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Plan of Work: Increase best practices for urban agriculture, natural resources & local food systems
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
During January 2021, a local orchard hired a new farm manager. The new manager has previous experience working with grapes and vineyard management, but lacked knowledge of tree fruit management. The orchard has over a 100 apple trees, 200 blackberry bushes that needed to be properly pruned and sprayed to ensure years of production. The Franklin County Horticulture agent coordinated with the Extension Fruit Specialist and Extension Enotmologist to visit the farm and teach the new manager how to properly prune and spray the trees and shrubs. The agent spent several days helping prune the orchard to reinforce the information. The agent also assisted with the farm manager to obtain an appropriate sprayer and calibrate the equipment. Last fall they harvested 300 lbs of blackberries and 400 lbs of apples.
The farm also has a quarter acre of hops. In past years, the hops have not grown-well and the owners tasked the new manager to prioritize this. The Horticulture agent helped the manager to develop a fertility plan for the hops. The plants are much more robust this year and are on-track for their biggest harvest to date.
Stories by Adam Leonberger
CAEMG 20-21 Educational Series (DRAFT)
Gardening provides a number of health benefits including, mental health management and anxiety reduc... Read More
Increasing Farmers Market Sales
Access to local foods improves communities, by providing healthier food options and lowering environ... Read More
Stories by Franklin County CES
“KSU Small Farm Area Extension Agent Collaborates with KSU Research Associate in Aquaculture in Assists Minority Farmer in Garrard County, Kentucky”
The Kentucky State University (KSU) Small Farm Program is an Extension program designed to help farm... Read More
“KSU Small Farm Area Extension Agent Assists Minority Youth with Livestock Project with USDA Farm Service Agency in Madison County, Kentucky”
The Kentucky State University (KSU) Small Farm Program is an Extension program designed to help farm... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment