{"id":10453,"date":"2024-06-14T09:53:41","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T13:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/?p=10453"},"modified":"2024-06-17T11:02:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T15:02:04","slug":"umes-traveling-agritourism-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/for-the-media\/umes-traveling-agritourism-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"UMES Traveling Agritourism Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For Blades Orchard, reinvention is key to success<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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After 14 years of operating as a u-pick, the owner-operators of Blades Orchard<\/a> in Federalsburg, Maryland, shifted their agribusiness model. They now offer their fruit and value-added products at farmers markets, a CSA and pre-order online sales for pick up at the farm by appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? Steve and Linda Blades, like any agricultural producer, are not keen on losing product. They found that with the u-pick, they were experiencing more loss than they wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce the apples hit the ground, we can\u2019t use them,\u201d Steve<\/strong> ( far left<\/em>) said. \u201cSome people would pick too much and then dump them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, they\u2019ve learned that peaches need to be picked first thing in the morning before the heat of the day.

\u201cIf it\u2019s too hot, the skin starts to slip on them and they don\u2019t pack well,\u201d he said. \u201cYou end up losing more than if you waited until the next day to harvest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Live and learn, and keep reinventing yourself if needed, is a theme often heard during conferences and events such as the UMES Extension Traveling Agritourism Workshop June 10 in Dorchester and Caroline counties in Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 30 attendees loaded a farm tour wagon to learn about the couple\u2019s 65-acre orchard. The Blades harvest six varieties of apples (Arkansas Black, EverCrisp, Fuji, Gold Rush, Pink Lady and Stayman) in addition to peaches, cherries and other seasonal fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nairobi Simmons, an aspiring small farmer from Portsmouth, Virginia, learned \u201csomething I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m new to the ag world and liked hearing about produce; how to grow it; and what to put on it (fertilizer and pesticides),\u201d she said. \u201cIt was interesting to learn how long it takes for a tree to produce fruit and about pollination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Steve explained, for instance, how Gold Delicious apples are universal pollinators. They are self-pollinating, but can also cross-pollinate with other apple trees, which can increase fruit production. He also explained the life-cycle of fruit trees and crop rotation for soil health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll put in an agricultural crop for two years and then a cover crop like rapeseed, forage radish or wheat, which will get tilled over every year,\u201d Steve said. \u201cWe find it helps with the nematodes that build up over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve\u2019s expertise on fruit production, tree care and other arborist support is available as an educational component of their agribusiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way the Blades are diversifying their business for success still includes an agritourism element. They have a speakeasy-style venue (at right<\/em>) that can be rented for up to 75 guests. Their Faulkner Branch Cidery produces a variety of hard ciders that can be purchased at local farmers markets along with their apple cider, apple butter, apple sauce and apple cider donuts in season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workshop participants like Christine Little of A Little Farm and Nursery in Stevensville, Maryland, came looking for ideas. She sells trees and flowers at the garden nursery and farm. A summer \u201cStorytime on the Farm\u201d for youth, including a craft and snack, was added as a weekly agritourism idea on Thursdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was good to see the different set up and business model other farmers have,\u201d Little said. \u201cThe Agritourism bus tour was a way for me to see if I can add to my farm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t take a lot of acreage to be successful, Linda Blades<\/strong> (at right, above<\/em>) said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe know people that have 2 acres and they\u2019re killing it,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you have the wherewithal and get the planting down, you can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension,<\/em> <\/em><\/a>gcstephens@umes.edu<\/em><\/a>, 410-621-3850.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, <\/em>tdudek@umes.edu<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div>
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Blades Orchard\n(Photo by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications)<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>