News

Apple course offers inside look at popular crop

Marvin Owings Jr. will teacher a master pomology course starting Jan. 20.

By Bill Moss, Published: January 13, 2015

Do you enjoy outdoor gardening, meeting and talking with people, learning how to propagate trees, grow fruit, prune and train tree fruits, harvest crops, lead tours and conduct taste tests?

The Henderson County Master Pomology Volunteer Program may be the perfect outdoor activity for you. The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service offers this volunteer program for tree fruit enthusiasts. Because the course is so specialized it is offered only every three to four years (depending on demand). The course will give you an in depth knowledge about all facets of growing tree fruits so that you can confidently share your time and knowledge with others.

The first and only course of its kind in the U.S., the course has proven to be very beneficial to the participants for over 25 years to the Extension Service and the commercial apple industry of Henderson County. Last year 14 volunteers gave more than 1,200 man hours of volunteer service valued at over $24,000.

There is a huge demand for tree fruit information from the general public as well as commercial growers. Because of the need, this innovative program is being offered to give up-to date fruit growing information to people who are truly interested in growing tree fruits. Technically trained volunteers work alongside Master Pomology graduates in the Variety Block, a two-acre test orchard in the Dana, collecting important field data that is published for commercial growers.

A limited number of people will receive more than 30 hours of comprehensive tree fruit training. Graduates will receive a certificate and will become a representative volunteer for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service.

The cost of $75 per person covers training material and supplies. All material will become the property of the volunteer. There will be six three-hour weekly classes with some afternoon labs every Tuesday. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays at the Extension Center in Jackson Park. The course starts on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

After the course is completed, volunteers must give back their time (a minimum of 40 hours) by volunteering in the Variety Block with pruning, harvesting, taste testing evaluations, data entry and technical assistance. Other volunteer opportunities include working the taste test booth at the Apple Festival and Farm City Day.

The course is offered to anyone who has a keen interest in tree fruits including Master Gardeners and commercial growers.

Requests for applications are being accepted. Please direct your request to NC Cooperative Extension at 828-697-4891 or email ivy_olson@ncsu.edu

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Marvin A. Owings Jr. is the director of the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Service.