Aug 10, 2018RidgeFest 2018
About 100 fruit growers and others in the produce industry attended RidgeFest 2018, a tour of orchards near Sparta, Michigan sponsored by the Michigan Pomesters.
– Stephen Kloosterman, FGN Associate Editor


On the trailers


Patrick Goodfellow of Patrick Goodfellow Orchards


An orchard planted with the "Plant in place" technique


"Plant in Place" with drip irrigation


Touring Patrick Goodfellow's new storage facility.


Touring Patrick Goodfellow's new storage facility.


Touring Patrick Goodfellow's new storage facility.


Stopping at Summit Farms


Wanda Heuser speaking.


Bill Dodd of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association speaking


Scott Swindeman talking about challenges of marketing managed varieties and what will happen with release of Cosmic Crisp.


Don Armock detailing the costs and risks of planting new varieties.


Fred, Jordan and Ryan Rasch of Green Tree Orchards


A trap for Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs.


Amy Irish-Brown discussing ways to trap brown marmorated stink bugs with Phil Schwallier listening.


The Chuck Rasch Family of Windy Ridge Orchards.


A new planting of Honeycrisp in growth tubes.


A new planting of Honeycrisp with triple leaders.


Kyle Rasch speaking about the new planting.


Attendees asking questions.


2018 Apple Queen Emily Kropf speaking about her busy schedule.


Chris Lattak of Trickl-Eez Irrigation talking about investing in irrigation systems.


Finishing the tour at the Schaefer Cider Company.


An old industry placard.


Nice scene during the tour.