Workshop for new commercial fruit growers

Western Colorado is fertile ground for growing a variety of fruits, and people from all over are drawn here to start new home-grown enterprises. Even so, there are unique challenges to growing fruit trees that can take some unprepared farmers by surprise and cost them more than they need to spend.

On Monday, Jan. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Colorado State University Extension and the Western Colorado Research Center will team up to offer an in-depth one-day class for beginning commercial fruit tree producers. Five different experts in specific fields will explore topics including:

• Basic tree structures;

• Principles of fruit thinning;

• Pruning and training trees;

• Water management;

• Nutrition and fertilization;

• Managing insect, diseases and weeds; and

• Marketing and creating an enterprise budget.

Those who have been growing fruit trees for commercial purposes for fewer than five years will benefit greatly from the workshop. There will be an hour-long Q&A session, and participants will leave with a CD that covers the material in the class.

The cost is $50 and includes a box lunch. It will take place at the Western Colorado Research Center on Orchard Mesa at 3168 B 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. Payment must be received by Jan. 10. Checks can be made out to CSU. Call 970-434-3264, ext. 201 for more information.

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