Clarksville Organic

Clarksville Orchard in Bloom
A five acre, state of the art, high density apple orchard is being used to test a variety of organic soil, nutrient, and pest control management strategies at the Clarksville Horticulture Experiment Station (CHES). Changes in nutrient availability and soil microbiology are being monitored and related to tree growth. The vigor of the tree as determined by root stock, the cultivar, and orchard floor management is being evaluated with special consideration to the insect and disease pressures present under organic managment. The cost of production is being monitored to evaluate profitability. Consumer preferences and processing potential are being studied to insure that the high value of the crop is recognized and received by the farmer.

For more information on the Clarksville Horticulture Research Station, please visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/wchrs/

Organic Apple Project Members

Mark Whalon -
Professor of Entomology		 Pest Management whalon@msu.edu
John Biernbaum -
Professor of Horticulture		 Coordination and Education bierenbaum@msu.edu
Ron Perry -
Chairperson of Horticulture		 Ground Cover Management and Rootstock Trials perryr@msu.edu
George Bird -
Professor of Entomology		 Soil Quality birdg@msu.edu
Bridget Behe -
Professor of Horticulture		 Cost of Production behe@msu.edu
Phil Schwallier -
CHES Coordinator & District Horticulture Marketing Agent		 Disease Management schwalli@msue.msu.edu
Jerry Skeltis CHES Farm Manager skeltis@msu.edu
Gail Byler HES Research Horticulturist byler@msu.edu
Danielle McEachin -
Staff		 Coordination mceachin@msu.edu

MSU Organic Apple Site Map - A map of the organic apple field plots located in Clarksville, MI.

CHES Organic Apple Project: Pest and Disease Management - Information about organic pest and disease management and the current strategies being used in the organic apple orchard.

Organic Apple & Cherry Pest Amendment Guide - This calendar gives information about common pests of apple and cherry, and a timeline of when to monitor and spray for them. Also gives information on selected organic pesticides.

Apple Orchard Ecosystem - In-depth information on the apple orchard ecosystem and its management.

The Clarksville Organic Apple Project - A presentation on the efforts at biodiversity at CHES

Compost Tea - An introduction to the research into compost tea done as a past of the Organic Apple Project

Clarksville Organic Apple Project Report - A report on 10 years worth of research done at CHES


For more information, please visit the Organic Apple Project website at http://www.hrt.msu.edu/organic.