TODAY IN THE ORCHARD

I went to Groveton, NH to the Lost Nation Farm of Michael, Nancy and Grace Phillips. Michael was a good friend and the long-time, unofficial leader of the organic apple movement. He was a tireless researcher, often unappreciated by academia and the apple industry. Nevertheless, he was an inspiration to countless fruit growers. His classes, workshops and books have made a major contribution to fruit growing in general and to apple growing specifically. He died way too young, and he is deeply missed. I taught an all-day class as part of a monthly series organized by Nancy and Grace. It was the last session of the year. There were about twenty students, and I spent the day answering their many questions. It was a fun meeting and a glorious day to be out on the road.