Organic Apple Orchard Academy

Chris McGuire and his wife Juli operate Blue Roof Orchard in Belmont, WI, where they raise four acres of organic apples. They began farming in 2003 and raised mixed organic vegetables for many years before transitioning to apples from 2012-2018. Their apple orchard consists of over 35 varieties, emphasizing modern disease-resistant varieties, grown on dwarf rootstocks in moderately high-density plantings. Chris and Juli primarily aim to raise quality fruit for fresh eating, which they sell to CSA farm members and grocery stores, but also sell blemished fruit to processors and chefs and produce their farm’s brand of applesauce and apple butter. In addition to farming, Chris also works as coordinator at the Organic Fruit Growers Association, where he facilitates knowledge sharing among fruit farmers and works with OFGA farmers and scientists to coordinate research into organic fruit growing. He has taught over fifty workshops and classes for farmers. Chris believes deeply in the value of farmers passing on their experience and knowledge, and he looks forward to sharing his love for organic apple growing at this school. 

Rami Aburomia started growing apples 21 years ago as a manager of a U-Pick operation south of Madison, WI. That experience formed a base of knowledge about growing apples and running an apple business in Wisconsin. After searching for an appropriate orchard site, he planted an orchard on his own land in 2015 which was certified organic in 2017. The goal at Atoms to Apples is growing great apple and pear varieties and getting those fruits to customers at the peak of their freshness and flavor. There are 65 varieties of apples, pear, peach and plum varieties on the farm that ripen from early August to late October. Atoms to Apples marketing mix consists of farmers markets, add-on CSAs, wholesale and on-farm. The farm is mostly a one-person operation with more help in the fall. Rami tries to make the management as efficient as possible with a significant amount of mechanization for a small farm. Rami was a past board member of the Organic Fruit Growers Association and is currently on the board of the Wisconsin Apple Grower Association.  

Rachel Henderson, with her husband Anton Ptak, grows certified organic tree fruit and berries on their farm in Menomonie, Wisconsin. They began planting their diverse orchard in 2009, and currently grow about 9 acres of fruit, including apples, pears, plums, currants, blueberries, and raspberries. They have experimented with other unusual fruits and have worked with different livestock in and around the orchard. With a focus on selling fresh fruit direct-to-consumer, most of their marketing is via farmers markets, CSA-style fruit shares, and small wholesale, along with some value-added products. They have been involved with OFGA since they started farming, and Rachel worked previously as an organic specialist with Marbleseed. 

As Department Director of Specialty Crops Grower Services at the IPM Institute of North America, Peter serves as the lead consultant working with apple farmers across the upper Midwest to help them implement bio-intensive IPM programs with a focus on strategies to sustainably manage crop pests. Additionally, Peter manages the Red Tomato EcoCertified™ program and outreach with other supplier initiatives to support IPM adoption and pollinator conservation in orchard systems. Since 2009, the SCGS team has been collaborating with experts in the industry to provide trusted and practical guidance for growing apples and stone fruit East of the Rockies.