Apples are grown in every state in the continental U.S., with Washington, New York and Michigan ranking as the top three producing states. In 1997, an estimated 9,000 apple growers managed orchards covering 453,200 acres, trailing only oranges and grapes in the amount of acreage committed to fruit production.
As much as any agricultural group, apple growers have had to respond to public concerns about improving food safety and reducing environmental impacts. These concerns are reflected in pesticide restrictions imposed under Food Quality Protection Act to protect children's health and mandatory warning labels for unpasteurized juice required by the Food and Drug Administration. Many growers have adopted integrated pest management (IPM) systems to control pests using alternatives to routine pesticide applications. By selecting appropriate IPM practices, growers can meet their production needs, while reducing environmental and food safety risks, Growers also are taking action to address food safety concerns related to E. coli and other microbial risks. Management plans can efficiently combine actions to protect food safety and reduce environmental concerns.
Growers need to manage all aspects of their land to reduce environmental impacts. Comprehensive management can protect a family from contaminated well water, increase the value of farm property, reduce legal liability and create opportunities to participate in marketing programs based on responsible environmental management.
Farm*A*Syst is developing specialized tools to help apple growers reduce environmental impacts and food safety risks. These tools complement existing tools that help farmers manage all aspects of their operations from household risks (e.g. poorly maintained wells and failing septic systems) to farmstead risks (e.g. leaking petroleum storage tanks, pesticide storage and handling). The following projects are supporting specialized tools for growers: