Media Advisory

On-farm field day to demonstrate growing success of cold-hardy cherry

What:
Free, on-farm field day featuring a tasty, cold-hardy cherry

Who:
Pat Altrichter and Judy Heiling, participants in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program

When:
Sunday, July 24, 2011
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Where:
Randall, MN. Farm is located 3 miles west of Randall or 18 miles east of Browerville on County Road 14 on the north side of the road. Watch for signs.

Background:
Sweet cherry trees are not hardy in Northern Minnesota. But growers are finding a Canadian variety of tart cherry, the Evans cherry, that is sweet tasting, very hardy and a prolific producer. Pat Altrichter and Judy Heiling have been successfully growing Saskatoon berries (similar to blueberries) for several years at their “U-Pick” operation near Randall and were interested in exploring other fruits as well. The Sustainable Agriculture Grant provided the funding for them to plant and research the stockiness and vigor of Evans cherry trees. There may be some ripe fruit to taste! A free lunch will be served.

Contacts:
Pat Altrichter or Judy Heiling, 1-320-749-2154
Jeanne Ciborowski, MDA Sustainable Agriculture Program, 1-651-201-6217
Morrison County NRCS, 1-320-632-5477, ext. 3
Morrison County Extension, 1-320-632-0161

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