Eco-Fruit Program
The Eco-Fruit Program, a collaboration between the UW–Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and fruit growers around Wisconsin, worked to reduce grower reliance on pesticides while helping growers develop the best growing and marketing practices for their farm. The program increased growers’ exposure to new equipment and allowed them to talk with UW–Madison experts throughout the growing season through AppleTalk - a weekly conference call during the pest management season. We continue to work with Wisconsin apple growers in the hard cider industry. In addition to working with apple growers, we worked with aronia, blueberry and strawberry growers on several projects and remain poised to serve.
Outcomes
The Eco-Fruit Project has successfully reduced pesticide risk to human health and the environment by 46 percent. It increased federal cost share for orchard IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices from $2/acre to more than $60/acre and helped to involve more than 100 small and medium orchards in the cost share program. The program continues to work with growers to add value through hard cider production and researches market challenges they face.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Michelle Miller
Researcher 3
- Department/Unit
- Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
- School or College
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences