Organic Tree Fruit Association Provides A New Voice
March 4, 2010 Growers of organic tree fruit have a new organization working on their behalf. The Organic Tree Fruit Association (OTFA), based in Wisconsin, is currently focused mostly on Midwest growers, but has been designed to represent the needs of organic tree fruit growers of all sizes. One particular emphasis for the group is looking for new ways to bring locally grown organic tree fruit to the market.
OTFA was originally conceived in 2004 as a networking offshoot of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), which serves growers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques. After setting up a newsletter and a listserv, members went about the process of forming a formal organization. “We wanted a representative voice for the organic tree fruit industry to actively promote organic production, find funding, and promote more organic fruit research in our region,� says Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchard and Gardens in LaCrescent, MN.
Mission And Goals
The mission statement of OTFA is to serve the interests of organic tree fruit growers and advance the organic tree fruit industry through education, research, and advocacy. In terms of education, OTFA members have the opportunity to learn from experienced tree fruit growers and agricultural professionals, access current research, find resources, and network with other growers. The following tools are a big part of this effort:
• Seminars. Intensive full-day courses provide in-depth information on a wide range of production and management issues. One seminar was scheduled to be held in late February.
• Field days. See how successful orchards throughout the region utilize organic management. Future field day events are currently being planned.
• “Just Picked.� This quarterly newsletter features grower profiles, event listings, and the latest research and production-oriented information.
• Fact sheets. Comprehensive, concise information on organic production, management, and certification issues.
OTFA has also initiated the Organic Tree Fruit Research Program to address the challenges of managing orchard diseases and pests organically in humid regions of the U.S. The program will facilitate research appropriate to these regions by identifying and cataloging potential:
• On-farm tree fruit research sites;
• Tree fruit research programs;
• Scientists interested in organic research; and,
• Specific projects that would benefit from collaborative, multi-state testing.
Hoch also notes that OTFA members have a professional organization capable of representing their interests in political discussions about the policies and programs that affect small growers most, such as the National Organic Program (NOP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Most recently, OTFA received a 1.5-year, $40,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant for its “Organic Tree Fruit Education and Research Collaborative.� This grant will be used to increase membership, and will also fund the Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Network, OTFA’s communication tool. This includes the Yahoo!-based listserv, the Network website, and the “Just Picked� newsletter. Additionally, it will help facilitate new research specific to the Midwest.
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