The interaction of the soil with climate, cultivar, and cultural practices is described by the French as terroir. This project combined 25 years of professional experience with the scientific literature into a concise educational program to achieve optimum terroir through nutritional management. Quality and health in fruit production through a positive soil building program is the goal - and good yields of high quality fruit will follow. The concepts of optimum mineral balance and healthy bio-activity in agriculture have been applied to hundreds of thousands of acres in California, to achieve optimum quality – flavor, texture, and pest & disease resistance, this site offers an opportunity to learn, teach, and interact with others. Includes a critical review of William Albrecht's work.

OFRF supported research to investigate the efficacy of organic treatments of raspberry plant diseases to be used as part of an integrated pest management system. OFRF Project Report 99-79.

Researchers at UW-Madison are working with apple growers to test alternative treatments for sooty blotch and flyspeck. Two alternative sprays—a mixture of an amino acid and a B vitamin, and a baking powder ingredient—show potential for controlling these diseases on scab-resistant apple varieties in Wisconsin orchards. Published as CIAS Research Brief #60

This study investigated alternatives to methyl bromide in controlling root pathogens of strawberry, and includes a discussion of organic production options.

Several NY apple growers have indicated they see a marketing opportunity for NY grown organic apples (both fresh and processed products) and have requested a Cornell University led effort to develop a system of organic apple production for NY. In 2001 we studied insect pest management, fruit thinning, and weed control tactics that are organically approved. Funding from Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Cornell Organic Farming Grants Program.