View Poster Application

Preserving Heirloom Apple Varieties Through Hybrid Learning

Extension Education

Josh Fuder
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Canton

Abstract

The apple (Malus x domestica) is one of the top three fruit crops in terms of production and value in the United States. There are an estimated 7,500 named varieties with approximately 1,600 varieties either originating or at one time being grown in the South. Sadly, over the last century most of these varieties have been lost. By 2008 ninety percent of apple production was limited to just 15 varieties, with ‘Red Delicious’ accounting for 24%.

In 2019 Extension agents began collaborating with University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and the Georgia Mountain Research Education Center(GMREC) to establish The Georgia Heritage Apple Orchard. The two-acre orchard, was planted in 2021 with 101 rare varieties once common on Georgia farms and homesteads. The Orchard will serve as a vital preservation site and allow for dissemination of genetic material as the only way to reproduce a variety is through asexual propagation-grafting.

Grafting workshops are a great way to share this increasingly rare "heirloom" genetic material. These trainings, which are traditionally in-person, have become a popular Extension program over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic made planning a traditional event challenging and irresponsible given the community spread experienced across the state in early 2021.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

Click to view Poster

Authors: Josh Fuder, Ashley Hoppers, Stephanie Butcher, Melissa Mattee Murphy, Wade Hutcheson, Laura Ney, Stephen Mihm, David Lockwood, Beth Horne
  1. Fuder, J. County Extension Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30114
  2. Hoppers, A. ANR Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30513
  3. Butcher, S. ANR Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30263
  4. Mattee Murphy, M. ANR Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30344
  5. Hutcheson, W. ANR Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30728
  6. Ney, L. ANR Agent, UGA Extension, Georgia, 30622
  7. Mihm, S. Director of Undergraduate Studies, UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia, 30609
  8. Lockwood, D. Fruit and Nut Crop Specialist, University of Tennessee, Tennessee, 37996
  9. Horne, B. Events Coordinator, Center for Urban Ag, Georgia, 30223