Past tours that YGA members have taken - local, national and international.

YGA Tour of USDA Fruit Research Station in WV and Catoctin Mountain Orchard in MD

On May 23rd 2023, young fruit growers from Pennsylvania and Maryland spent the day touring the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV and Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont, MD.

Young Grower Alliance Tour of Bloomfield Nursery and Boyer Orchards

The Young Grower Alliance (YGA) met early on May 12, 2022 at Bloomfield Nursery to be led in a tour by nursery owners, Allen and Ellen Stauffer.

Young Grower Alliance Tour of Cherry Hill Orchards and Kauffman Orchards

The Young Grower Alliance (YGA) visited two farms on November 18, 2021 in southeastern Pennsylvania – Cherry Hill Orchards and Kauffman Orchards. We had two very gracious hosts that provided insight into their operations and allowed YGA members to get an insider view of what goes on at each.

Southern Delaware Showcases Efficiency and Quality

A visit to Bennett Orchards and Adams County Nursery in Delaware highlights the importance of fruit quality and the unexpected benefits that efficiency can produce.

Boyertown Tour Highlights: Cider, Pears, and Top-Worked Trees

The Young Grower Alliance took a tour out to Boyertown to visit Frecon Farms and Keim Orchards.

YGA Members Learn about Tree Fruit Innovation and Success

A group of young growers traveled with the Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the 2017 IFTA Study Tour, themed “Tree Fruit Excellence – Innovation and Success.” The group spent three days visiting innovative orchards throughout Southwest Michigan, as well as the Michigan State University research orchards and labs.

The “Two-A-Day” Cooperative, a Grower-Owned Packinghouse

A lot of differences in environmental, political, and economic factors make the apple industry in South Africa very different from other places.

Young Growers Tour Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative and New Morning Farm

The Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance held their 2016 fall tour at Tuscarora Organic Cooperative and New Morning Farm in Hustontown, PA on November 15th.

Young Grower Alliance Members Attend IFTA Summer Study Tour of Western New York

This past July, eight members of the Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance attended the IFTA summer study tour of Western New York. Members had the opportunity to carpool to the tour together, and shared an evening meal with other young growers from across the northeast.

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers: South Africa Part One: Growing Apples A Long Way From Home

It has 54 countries with 1 billion people speaking 2000 languages. The continent of Africa is as culturally diverse as it is massive.

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station

Ask any young grower about producing fruit, and they will likely tell you it is a rewarding career that can also be challenging at times. To help producers combat these challenges, a team of scientists work diligently at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV.

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - California

March 2015. A group of 12 young growers just returned from touring fruit growing regions in Central California. Penn State Extension Young Grower Alliance Network Tours provide experiential training in sustainable production practices and encourage innovation among this next generation of growers.

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Spiral Path Farm and North Mountain Pastures

November 2014 - Young Growers Visit Spiral Path Farm and North Mountain Pasture

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Winchester, Virginia

June 2014

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Knouse Foods Cooperative & Rice Fruit Company

November 2013

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Heller Orchards & Schwalm Farms

April 2013

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - One Straw Farm and Baugher's Orchards

November 2012

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - YGA New Zealand Tour

February 9-21, 2008

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Terhune Orchards

April 8, 2009 in Princeton, NJ

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Organic Apple Field Day at Al-Mar Orchards

June 25, 2009 in Flushing, MI

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Massachusetts Fruit Grower Association Annual Meeting

July 16, 2009 in Northborough, MA

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Penn State Fruit Research & Extension Center Field Day

July 22, 2009 in Biglerville, PA

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - USDA-AFRS and Orr's Farm Market

June 17, 2009 in Kearneysville and Martinsburg, WV

Young Growers attend IFTA New York Study Tour

July 28-30, 2010 in Geneva, NY

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Keim Orchards and Subarashii Kudamono

November 18, 2010 in Boyertown and Coopersburg, PA

Specialty Crop Tours for Young Growers - Kauffman's Fruit Farm, Cherry Hill Orchards, and McCleaf's Orchard

March & April 2011

Young Growers participate in IFTA European Study Tour

July 2011 - tour included fruit operations in England, the Netherlands, and Belgium

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Brown's and Strite's Markets

December 2011

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - Ridgetop and Boyer Orchards

April 2012

Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers - North Star Orchard and Pete's Produce Farm

May 2012

Contact us

Donald Seifrit
  • Extension Educator, Tree Fruit