I am not a commercial grower but have been more than a casual observer of the subject of sane fruit growing for a number of years. I used to scour old USDA texts and pamphlets, read the classics on organic production and watched the use of hard core
pesticide application drift towards IPM. I think this site is a real blessing in trying to move things along in a healthy direction. I do
remain unconvinced that things have come around much despite Michael's Herculean efforts. I can still find on ocassion in the wild (and sometimes in mall parking lots) examples of untended trees bearing reasonably sound fruit. I don't have an explanation of this
and it confounds the hell out of me. In these moments I am reminded of a statement by Sir Albert Howard who was able to optimize plant and animal heath using (primarily) the Indore method of composting. He said something to the effect that "without the help of agronomists, entomologists ...and a list of other scientists... We were able to raise healthy plants and livestock."
     At the MOFGA Fairgrounds, I am witness to the sometimes frenetic ativity of CJ Walke, who takes care of the two small...... [ Read the rest of this story ]