2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Historically the tri-county (Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester) area was known for fruit cultivation on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (MD). A USDA census of agriculture in 1925 showed 6.0 million pounds (m lb) of apple production in this area, which was dominated by Worcester (4.3 m lb) and followed by Wicomico (0.9 m lb) and Somerset (0.7 m lb) county. However, currently there is no commercial apple production in these counties (USDA, NASS 2012). We recently established an apple orchard at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to rejuvenate the lost commercial apple industry on the Eastern Shore of MD. This medium density, multi-variety and multi-rootstock (5)/scion (30) apple orchard is the site for hand-on training for growers, beginner farmers, farm managers, stakeholders, and extension associates to generate human resources to popularize the apple cultivation on the Eastern Shore of MD and adjoining urban areas. This orchard will be commercially productive within the next 3-4 years, giving all interested parties multiple opportunities to see the progression of the apple orchard from planting through initial productivity and harvesting. Within a year, after planting in March, 2017 four workshops were conducted on establishment of apple orchard, basics of pruning, rootstock/scion selection, and overview of the tall spindle system. This project got wide media coverage and larger number of local growers, small farmers, home owner, and schools became the part of this project. With the help of SARE funding, an apple team was recruited in the Tri-County area comprises of 25 stakeholders, growers, and extension agents for a period of three years. In addition, another apple team was recruited in Virginia through Virginia State University, Cooperative Extension following a workshop in March, 2018. Thirteen growers came forward and showed interest to conduct workshops frequently to enrich the knowledge of apple cultivation. Our orchard is visited by more than 200 visitors since March, 2017. Recently, one of our apple team member planted a high density apple orchard in Crisfield, MD. This showed an increase in the apple acreage for the very first time in the Tri-county area. We are also planting a high density apple orchard in April, 2018 using the tall spindle system to accelerate apple production. Our small apple orchard generated mass awareness about the potential of fruit cultivation in the Tri-County area. This program will revolutionize the culture of fruit cultivation in coming years on the Eastern Shore of MD.