IFTA Heads For Canada, Establishes Foundation
June 4, 2012 
Members of the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) will have the opportunity
this summer to learn more about tree fruit production north of the border. IFTA is holding its annual study tour in Quebec, Canada. The event, which takes place July 26-27, offers attendees the chance to visit research orchards, connect with growers producing new and heritage apples, and see the latest in equipment design
and storage facilities and technology.
Growers will learn how Canadian tree fruit growers are investing in new ways to remain competitive and deliver high-quality tree fruit to consumers at home and around the world. Discussions will include their work on the development of new varieties that appeal to consumers, tree fruit breeding, and horticultural practices. Hear experts discuss the commercialization of new apple varieties that are helping expand domestic production and increase exports of Canadian tree fruit products.
There will also be time to network with fellow growers while discovering why Canada, with a $178 million apple market, is a world leader in developing and bringing new tree fruit varieties to market.
Thursday, July 26
The following visits are scheduled for the first day of tours:
• IRDA Research Orchard: A review of disease and insect control
• Petch Orchards: Learn more about the rare Cox’s Orange Pippin variety
• Verger du Minot: A “ciderie” that helped bring cider production to the area
• Leahy Orchards: Producer of 90% of Canada’s private label apple products
• Stevenson Orchards/Verger Gerald Lussier: Two orchards owned by long-time IFTA members Bill Stevenson and Gerry and Paul Lussier.
Friday, July 27
The following visits are scheduled for the second day of tours:
• Verger Denis Charbonneau: A member of Pro-Pomme, a technical support group for growing high-quality apples using environmentally friendly methods
• Thomson Orchards: Learn why medium-density plantings are sometimes a better fit
• Les Artisans du Terroir: A family winery that also features high-density apple plantings
• Verger Bel Horizon: This farm shores its offshore labor housing with other growers
• Verger Jodoin of St-Jean-Baptiste: A historical orchard trying new varieties
• La Fruiteraie des Gadbois: The most extensive planting of Ottawa rootstock in Quebec
• Cournoyer Orchard: Learn about mechanical bloom thinning and fruiting walls.
For more information, and to register for the event, go to www.ifruittree.org.
IFTA Establishes Research Foundation
The International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) formed a task force in 2011 and charged them with guiding and completing the necessary steps to establish a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization that could provide the tree fruit industry with the potential for more research fund donations and an effective means to grant funding for tree fruit research long term. That task was completed recently when the new organization, IFTA Research Foundation, was incorporated.
IFTA will continue to manage the Research Committee’s Request for Proposals and review of submitted proposals; however, the IFTA Research Foundation will fund the projects recommended by the IFTA Committee. The Committee meets once per year during the IFTA Annual Conference held typically in February. During that time they review all submitted research proposals as a group and create a list of projects they recommend funding for the year.
IFTA has always, as a core mission, sought to encourage research that will address issues that advance tree fruit growing and support systems. To meet that need in the future, the Foundation has also established a permanent endowment fund. The other primary activity for the IFTA Research Foundation is one of fundraising. They will request contributions from growers and suppliers for both current year research projects and for the permanent endowment fund.
Ken Hall, Edwards Apple Orchards, Inc. of Poplar Grove, IL, was elected as the first president of the Foundation Board of Trustees. “The IFTA Research Foundation is about making a commitment to tree fruit research for the long term,” said Hall. “The benefits won’t be paid today, and the recipients may not be you or me. But there will be future fruit growers, maybe your grandchildren or mine, who will be better at what they do because IFTA research continued on.”
The Trustees quickly established a goal of $1 million in the permanent endowment fund within five years. An endowment of that size would assure that orchard systems research could continue at or above present levels of support for generations to come. Both IFTA members and non-members can make a Visa or Mastercard donation online, or print a donation form.
For more information or to donate, visit the IFTA website at www.ifruittree.org.
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