For Release:  10/18/23

For More Information:  Melissa Brand, 262-206-8442

Wisconsin specialty crop growers and winery/agri-tourism operators are encouraged to attend the Growing Wisconsin Conference (Formally the Wisconsin Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Conference (WFFVC) being held January 21-23, 2024, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

The Growing Wisconsin Conference offers 7 educational tracks for apple, berry, grape, fresh market vegetable and Christmas Tree growers and agri-tourism and winery operators. In addition to the educational sessions, there is a trade show and networking opportunities.

Over 85 sessions will offer attendees information on production, business strategies, marketing, labor and other topics affecting specialty agriculture operations.  To see specifics on sessions being offered and the speaker line-up, go to https://freshfruitvegetable.org/Complete-Schedule.

The trade show features businesses that provide inputs and services to the growers and businesses involved in the Conference.  To see our exhibitor lineup go to https://freshfruitvegetable.org/Exhibitors.  Exhibitors are encouraged to sign-up as soon as possible as space is limited.

Attendees have access to a special rate at the Kalahari.  The $129 room rate includes waterpark passes for up to 4 people.  Resort fees are not charged to attendees registering thru the Conference.  To receive these rates attendees must register before December 25th.

The goal of the associations sponsoring the conference is to provide pertinent information that will help attendees be successful in their operations.  Also, the conference provides an opportunity for networking between growers and business operators to build relationships that can be beneficial to both parties.  

"Harvesting knowledge, cultivating connections, producing quality and promoting success" This is what the board of the conference agrees. "They represent all the growers across Wisconsin and produce for and from Wisconsin to you. Your presence formally requested." Melissa Brand-Event Coordinator.

In an effort to allow as many attendees as possible to participate, the WFFVC continues to be value-priced.  Registration for the Conference is just $85 per person.  Register today at https://freshfruitvegetable.org/ or call 262-206-8442 for more information.

AppleTalk call #6, Tuesday,  May 16^th, 2023.

Linked below is the notes from the AppleTalk Zoom meeting.

The link to the recording of the talk along with the passcode can be found on the PDF below. 

- AppleTalk with John Aue, Threshold IPM

John Chapman was born in Massachusetts in 1774 during the Revolutionary War against Britain. His father reportedly fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and later served under General George Washington. While John’s mother died in childbirth, his father made it home from battle. He taught his son everything he knew about farming.

The young Chapman took his father’s lessons to heart.

For 40 years, it is said that Johnny Appleseed cleared land and planted apple seeds in the Midwestern states of the U.S. In a short time, the seeds grew to become trees that produced fruit.

Apples were an important food for the early American settlers. Apples offered something different in daily meals. They were easy to grow and store for use throughout the year.

The UW has a library of printed materials that can be a source of information at https://fruit.wisc.edu/tree-fruit/apples/

Find resources on:

• Varieties & Rootstocks
• Pruning, Training and Thinning
• Nutrient, Disease, Insect & Weed Management
• Cider Resources

We still have some funds available in the Produce Safety Grant.  If you've purchased items to make your farm/orchard Food Safety Modernization Act compliant, you may be eligible for a 50% reimbursement up to $2500.

Fill out the application found on the homepage of the website or contact the WAGA office at 920-478-4277.

Applications for this funding, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, will be accepted starting June 15. Individual payments will range from $1,000-$3,500 and will be issued after the application period closes on June 29. Wisconsin farmers with gross income between $35,000 and $5,000,000 in 2019 may be eligible to receive a payment. Farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible on or after June 15 to leave time for resolving any potential issues in their application.

Eligible farmers should apply online through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR): https://revenue.wi.gov. The application link will be live on June 15. Farmers who cannot apply online may request assistance by calling 608-266-2772. Spanish- and Hmong-speaking farmers should call DOR at 608-266-2772 for assistance.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued new guidance for vendors and market managers of Farmers Markets.  You can access the new guidance here https://datcp.wi.gov/pages/SearchResults.aspx?q=Farmers%20Market%20Guidance

As a follow-up to the interview we did last week on frost damage (link here), I have posted an audio file on our website with some thinning recommendations that I hope helps you make the best decision on how to adjust fruit load this season.

Here’s the link:

https://fruit.wisc.edu/2020/05/19/thinning-recommendations-for-apple-crop-load-management/

Under the Safer at Home order, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) at the direction of Gov. Tony Evers, farm and produce stands—including farm markets and U-pick operations—are considered essential business operations and allowed to remain open (see Section 13.b. in the emergency order).

However, these businesses must:

• Close all seating intended for consuming food.
• Close self-service operations such as salad bars, beverage stations and buffets.
• Cease any self-dispensing of unpackaged food by consumers (except for at grocery stores).
• Limit employee in-person meetings whenever possible, and switch to virtual meetings, teleconferences and remote work.
• Comply with all DHS guidelines for businesses.
• Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between all individuals to the maximum extent possible.

After discussions with state agriculture industry leaders, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) makes the following recommendations to farms offering pick-your-own produce, or selling produce at farm stands or farmers markets:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Maintain social distancing between everyone on the premises.
• Schedule appointments to limit the number of customers picking at one time.
• Allow adults, teens and older children to pick only while under farm supervision or after safe harvest instructions.
• Offer ordering online or over the phone.
• Implement pickup, drive-thru or delivery options.
• Eliminate samples, eating areas and non-picking on-farm activities.
• Limit employees to those performing essential duties.
• Sell pre-weighed packaged items to limit food handling and keep customers moving.
• Assign separate people to handle products and money. Employees should use hand sanitizer after every transaction.
• Regularly disinfect frequently-touched surfaces.
• Ask customers and employees showing signs of illness to stay home.
• Use signs, websites and social networks to communicate and promote new procedures.

Questions for DATCP can be sent to safeproduce@wisconsin.gov.

Additional COVID-19 resources for businesses and employers, including cleaning and disinfection protocols for frequently touched surfaces, can be found at the DHS website.

Sincerely,

The Division of Food and Recreational Safety

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Division of Food and Recreational Safety
https://datcp.wi.gov

This grant offers a 50/50 cost share for eligible expenses.  A maximum of $2500 is available per farm (required $5,000 expenditure) for "Supplies and Services" that help the grower become compliant with the rule.

We know that all growers will not have the same needs to become compliant, but expected "Supplies and Services" expenditures include but are not limited to record-keeping systems, worker training, hygiene-related signage, water-testing, handwashing stations, stainless steel surfaces and bins, easily cleanable wall panels, temperature and humidity monitoring controls, sanitizers and more.

This grant cannot fund construction or capital expenses for buildings or equipment (equipment is considered to be anything with a price tag of $5000 or more).

Future expenditures and expenditures made 1/1/2020 or later can be considered for grant funding.  You are encouraged to apply before making expenditures.  You may combine multiple smaller expenditures as long as the total does not exceed $5,000.

Funds are limited and applications will be scored to determine who receives funding.  Farms that are registered with DATCP, have a person that has taken approved FSMA training, have had an On-Farm Readiness Review and an inspection or a Third-Party Audit will score higher.

To apply go to wisconsinapplegrowers.org and you'll see the application link on the home page.  We'll accept applications until March 15, 2020 and may open up subsequent application times if funds remain available.

If you have questions, please email Anna Maenner at anna@acmadmin.com or contact the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association at 920-478-4277.