Calendar

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The walk will feature Colombia Blossom Orchards (CBO), a 32 acre diverse orchard of certified organic stone fruits such as, cherries, peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and grapes. Jim Reed has been producing certified organic fruit at CBO for over 13 years. Brian McCormack, has certified 38A of his grapes pears and cherries. Both orchards employ insectary plantings, hedgerows, flowering cover crops to encourage beneficial insects to their orchards. Munk Bergin of Pest Management Systems, a Mosier consultant who specializes in biological pest management in orchards and stored products will also be a special guest. At the walk we will be taking a detailed, hands-on, look into the identification, biology, and ecology, of native bees, predators and parasitoids and the on-farm habitat that supports them. You will leave with a heightened appreciation for the natural biodiversity at Columbia Blossom Orchard and the opportunities that exist there and on your own farm to enhance it. Don't miss this unique opportunity to follow veteran organic orchardists and bugscapers as we attempt to understand and observe how the complex web of biodiversity and crop production interact right before our eyes! There will be an organic fruit tasting at 5:00

This event appears on the following calendars:

• Extension Service
• Small Farms*