Elizabeth Garofalo Talks Apple Cultivation with 'The Fabulous 413'

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NEPM's The Fabulous 413 radio program and podcast recently profiled Headwater Cider, which has developed an innovative approach to crafting “ice wine” from their abundant apple harvest. They speak with owner Peter Mitchell about his orchard and the diverse ciders produced in Hawley, MA. They also delve into the science and logistics behind apple cultivation with UMass Extension fruit educator Elizabeth Garofalo.

Specifically, the show's hosts ask Garofalo to list some of the challenges that apple growers in the region are facing, and she begins with a discussion on labor shortages:

"Apple growing is a year-round process. Growers have to manage their trees this time of year. They’ll be pruning. Then, of course, when spring comes, they start with their pest management and just making sure that their trees are healthy and happy so that they can get the apples that we rely on here.

One of the greatest challenges I think that growers are facing is labor shortages. They struggle to bring in folks who are willing to do the work of the farm, and it’s not like 30, 40, 50 years ago, when you could hire a gaggle of high school kids and they’d come in and help you prune or they’d help you pick. So they struggle very greatly with labor."

— Elizabeth Garofalo on The Fabulous 413

Click here to listen to Garofalo on The Fabulous 413.