Apr 22, 2009

IFTA to Tour Nova Scotia Aug. 2-5

The IFTA tour this year will be Aug. 2-5 in Nova Scotia, and it will visit 13 farms. Headquarters will be the Old Orchard Inn in Wolfville.

The orchard tour will explore the Annapolis Valley, an area ranging from 2 to 10 miles wide and 80 miles long. Most of Nova Scotia’s apple production is located within 25 miles of Kentville, at the eastern end of the valley.

The tour includes a trip to the historic seaport of Halifax, noted as being one of the most scenic cities in North America, and the bustling fishing town of Digby –– with an optional cruise on a lobster boat.

The tour farms include one owned by the new IFTA president Larry Lutz, who also works as a grower service representative for apple packer Scotian Gold Cooperative. The tour takes in that facility, as well. Scotian Gold Cooperative is the largest storage operator and apple packer in Atlantic Canada.

Other farms that will be visited include Ravenswood Farm with Ken and Peter Sanford, the Lloyd and Barbara Dyck farm (home of the Royal Court and the Scotia McIntosh), Birchleigh Farms with Waldo and Judy Walsh, the Lutz Family Farm with Larry and Janice Lutz, Fuller Brothers with Jonathan and Cathy Fuller, Noggins Corner Farm with Andrew and Beth Bishop, Sarsfield Farms with Blake and Paulette Sarsfield, Canard Orchards with Gerry and Shonna VanOostrum, Eisses Farms with John and Trudy Eisses, Kimberlee Farms with Tim and Janette Pearson, Annapolis Gold Orchards with Al Fisher, Spurr Brothers Farm with Bill and Gordon Spurr and family, and Barteaux Farms with Dwayne and Robert Barteaux.

Besides seeing lots of modern varieties in high-density plantings, attendees also can see how the Northern Spy variety is grown and marketed as a premium pie apple.

Details and a registration form are online at www.ifruittree.org.