This week at the farm, we were lucky enough to have a pruning workshop with Janet Caprille, the Contra Costa County University of California Agricultural Extension Advisor. Janet paid us a visit to discuss pruning techniques, particularly for training the young Frog Hollow apple and cherry trees. Frog Hollow has 2 acres of heirloom apple trees, containing 12 different ancient and unique varieties. This year, Farmer Al has entrusted two of his assistant farmers, Kristin and Marlene, to care for the apple orchard. The first step of this task is to learn heirloom apples, so they turned to Janet at the Ag extension for advice.
So, what exactly is the UC Agricultural Extension? The program is state funded, and involves a network of researchers and educators that are dedicated to creating and spreading knowledge about agriculture. With 200 local advisors and 700 researchers, the agricultural extension is an amazing and free resource for farmers in California. For various reasons, many states have either reduced extension programs or closed them completely. Fortunately, California’s program has been expanding ever since it was initiated in 1913.
Even with 35 years of farming experience under our belt, Frog Hollow always has more to learn. Farmer Al is dedicated to ongoing education for himself and his employees. He explains that “many aspects of farming are still a mystery;” in order to be sucessfull farmers “we must continually pay attention, ask questions and educate ourselves.” A significant part of this knowledge building involves education about current research and present issues facing the farming community. Advisors like Janet can help by providing farmers like us with information about trending diseases, pests and sustainable agricultural practices.
