Apple Country Tour with Marvin Owings

Partial Transcript: Marvin Owens of Henderson County Cooperative Extension gives a brief history of the apple industry. He discusses how the apple industry got started, the evolution of apple packing houses and the changes in the industry since the 1950s to today.

Keywords: Henderson County Cooperative Extension

Subjects: apple packing houses; the apple industry

Partial Transcript: Mindy Staton of Staton Farms, growers for Richmond Companies gives a brief history of how she and Richard started growing for Gerber/Nestlé’s companies. Mindy explains how the Atmosphere-controlled units are used to process the apples.

Keywords: Atmosphere controlled; Gerber/Nestlé’s; Richmond Companies; Staton farms

Subjects: growing for Gerber/Nestlé’s companies.

Partial Transcript: Marvin Owens discusses variety blocks. The first block variety was started in 1985. They have over 100 varieties of apples they are evaluating along with different fruits. The extension service is looking at rootstocks and how the combination affects the production of the tree. Marvin explains rootstocks and the importance of dwarfing. He also mentions the future of harvesting and moving platforms. Marvin credits the pomologists for their help. Marvin mentions GMO products and their benefits. There are approximately 30 growers of antique varieties of apples. Marvin discusses some varieties.

Keywords: antique varieties; evaluating; importance of dwarfing; pomologists; root stocks; variety blocks

Subjects: Growing apples

Partial Transcript: Marvin explains how to know when an apple is mature and the scientific methods.

Keywords: scientific methods; mature

Partial Transcript: The tour drives through Wayne Pace’s high-production orchard. Marvin explains the high-density system Pace uses. Marvin points out the wind machines and how they are used to keep the apples safe during a frost. Birds can be a pest and Pace has tried many methods to protect the crop.

Keywords: high production orchard; pests; Wayne Pace

Subjects: methods to protect the crop.; high density system

Partial Transcript: The tour is on Highway 64 where most markets are located. The first stop is Coston’s fruit stand. Sandra gives a history of stand and names the apples they grow. Marvin explains the processing process.

Keywords: Coston’s fruit stand; highway 64

Subjects: Coston's fruit stand

Partial Transcript: Apple Wedge Packers is the largest apple and cider producer in the county. They ship all over, including Europe and Cuba. They are a commercial operation only.

Keywords: commercial operation; Apple Wedge Packers

Subjects: Apple Wedge packers

Partial Transcript: Marvin explains the change in the number of growers and how he hopes they can change from a processing industry to a fresh fruit industry.

Keywords: change in the number of growers

Subjects: Change

Partial Transcript: The tour passes Bob Hyder’s farm/ village.

Keywords: Bob Hyder

Subjects: Bob Hyder’s farm/ village

Partial Transcript: Marvin talks about competition from China.

Keywords: China

Subjects: Competition

Partial Transcript: The tour arrives at Justus Orchard owned by the Justus family for 4 generations. Justus is a “you pick” orchard. Margo gives a history of the farm. Don speaks about the growing operation and the bakery.

Keywords: “you pick” orchard; Justus Orchard

Subjects: you pick orchard; 4 Generations

Partial Transcript: Marvin mentions the Stepps, who are on the tour. They are located on Pace Road. The Stepps have one of the oldest direct markets. There are 30 direct sellers in Henderson County.

Keywords: oldest direct markets; Stepps

Subjects: 30 direct sellers in Henderson County; the Stepps

Partial Transcript: Marvin explains the difference between apple juice and apple cider, the processing and the food safety handling of cider.

Keywords: apple cider,; apple juice

Subjects: The difference between apple juice and apple cider.

Partial Transcript: Marvin addresses the question of organic vs. conventional growing. Marvin talks about pests/diseases that can harm a crop. Marvin talks about monoculture vs. polyculture. There is 1 organic grow in Henderson County.

Keywords: monoculture; polyculture; organic vs. conventional

Subjects: conventional growing; Organic growing