Pest and Disease Management for Organic Apple Production

Managing pests and diseases in a Midwest apple orchard can be tricky, and even moreso for organic systems. A range of preventive approaches needs to be included in an orchard management plan in order to minimize damages and maximize harvests. Maury Wills will draw from over 20 years of experience with disease and pest management in a certified organic apple orchard.

Maury Wills owns and operates Wills Family Orchard near Adel, Iowa, with 5 acres of certified organic apple trees. He is also the bureau chief and organic program manager for the Ag Diversification and Market Development Bureau at the Iowa Department of Agriculture.