Fruit Tree Orchards Research Articles

Love thy neighbors? Beneficial and pest arthropod populations in a pear and cherry orchard landscape

Neighboring vegetation in an agricultural landscape can impact pest and beneficial arthropod populations in tree fruit orchards. In a pear monocrop region (such as Wenatchee WA, northwestern United States), the concern is that specialist pests can migrate from orchard to orchard and maintain an area-wide high population. In a mixed landscape region (such as Hood River OR, NW USA), the concern is that chemical control measures against invasive pests in nearby cherry orchards can disrupt biological control in pear orchards by killing beneficial arthropods. Specifically, we asked whether surrounding pear and cherry area cover (% in 1 km2), presence of adjacent cherry orchards, and pesticide impact scores influenced the abundance and richness of common pests (pear psylla and two-spotted spider TSS mites) and beneficial arthropods (the parasitoid wasp Trechnites insidiosus and generalist predators) in pear orchards in OR and WA. Pests and beneficial arthropods were collected in pear plots in OR and WA in 2016–2018 using a combination of methods (sticky cards, beat trays, leaf samples). A generalized linear mixed model revealed that surrounding pear cover area did not affect any of the outcome variables. Surrounding cherry cover had variable effects on pest and beneficial abundance in different regions and years, such as a negative correlation with predator abundance (OR 2016), a positive correlation with parasitoid abundance (WA 2017), and higher pear psylla abundance in cherry-adjacent pear plots (OR 2018). Furthermore, a quantile regression showed that pear orchards with low surrounding cherry cover had high variance in parasitoid abundance, while pear orchards with high surrounding cherry cover had consistently low parasitoid abundance. Pesticide impact scores negatively influenced predator and parasitoid abundance and beneficial richness in WA, but not in OR. Pear plots with higher pesticide impact scores had higher TSS mite abundance (in both OR and WA 2018), but did not affect pear psylla abundance. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that beneficial population assemblages tended to cluster away from pear plots with high pesticide impact scores. This study shows how landscape and chemical control practices can have variable impacts on pear orchards located in different regions.

Mycorrhizal inoculation increases fruit production without disturbance of native arbuscular mycorrhizal community in jujube tree orchards (Senegal)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi constitute promising biofertilizers for the deployment of a sustainable agriculture. However, the evaluation of mycorrhizal benefits in the field is poorly documented, notably in fruit tree orchards, and concerns exclusively growth performance and nutrition. Here, we evaluated the persistence of beneficial effects of AM fungal inoculation on two jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) cultivars (Tasset and Gola) inoculated in nursery conditions and subsequently transferred in the field until fruit production. The growth-promoting effects on jujube observed in nursery was still maintained 18 months after planting, with significant higher rates of survival and an increase of fruit production for inoculated jujube cultivars. Nevertheless, AM-mediated responses were dependent on cultivar. No major disturbance of native AM fungal community was associated with AM fungal inoculation but a stimulation of AM fungal colonization is probable. The use of mycorrhizal inoculation with the R. irregularis IR27 strain hold promise for the development of efficient jujube orchards under semi-arid conditions.

Decomposition of different crop straws and variation in straw-associated microbial communities in a peach orchard, China

Crop residue is a major source of soil organic matter; therefore, application of crop straw to soil contributes to the sustainable development of organic agriculture. To better understand the transformation of crop straw in orchard soils, we investigated the relationship between the characteristics of straw decomposition and functional diversity of associated microbial communities in a long-term peach orchard, China. Mesh bags, each containing 30 g of corn or bean straw, were buried at a soil depth of 20 cm in a 12-year-old peach orchard for 360 d (October 2011–October 2012). Three treatments were applied, i.e., fresh corn straw, fresh corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer (urea, 10.34 g/kg), and fresh bean straw. Changes in straw residual rate, straw water content and soil conditions were monitored after treatment. The functional diversity of straw-associated microbial communities was analyzed by the Biolog-Eco microplate assay. During the decomposition process, straw residual rates did not vary considerably from 10 d (30.4%–45.4%) to 360 d (19.0%–30.3%). Irrespective of nitrogen addition, corn straw decomposed faster than bean straw. Corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer yielded the highest average well color development (AWCD) values (1.11–1.67), followed by corn straw (1.14–1.68) and bean straw (1.18–1.62). Although the AWCD values did not differ significantly among the three treatments, substantial differences occurred across various time periods of the decomposition process (P<0.01). In terms of carbon source utilization, the dominant microbial groups fed mainly on saccharides. Hard-to-decompose substances gradually accumulated in the middle and late stages of straw decomposition. Of the six categories of carbon sources tested, the utilization rate of aromatics was the lowest with corn straw, whereas that of polymers was the lowest with bean straw. Among different treatments, straw residual rate was negatively correlated to soil available phosphorous, soil available potassium and soil temperature (P<0.05), but not to soil water content. In some cases (corn straw with or without nitrogen fertilizer), straw residual rate was negatively correlated to straw water content, amino acid utilization and carboxylic acid utilization, and positively correlated with microbial species richness and evenness (P<0.05). Microbial community associated with corn and bean straw decomposition in soil was respectively dominated by aromatic- and polymer-metabolizing groups during the middle and late stages of this process, which could reduce the stability of microbial community structure and decrease the rate of straw decomposition in fruit tree orchard.

Downwind Spray Drift Assessment for Airblast Sprayer Applications in a Modern Apple Orchard System

HighlightsAirblast sprayer drift potential was evaluated up to 183 m (600 ft) downwind from an orchard edge.A central leader apple orchard was sprayed at dormant and full canopy stage.Higher drift at full canopy stage was likely due to higher wind speeds and lower humidity.String and artificial foliage samplers had higher collection efficiencies than Mylar cards.Abstract. Risk assessment of orchard pesticide spraying is currently based on spray drift estimation using a worst-case scenario (dormant stage). However, most spray applications are conducted during non-dormant canopy growth stages. Such overestimation leads to restrictive operational regulations in pest management activities. Therefore, field data were generated and studied for a mechanistic model that will predict spray drift from airblast spray applications in tree fruit orchards. Spray trials were conducted at dormant and full canopy growth stages in a central leader trained apple orchard. An axial-fan airblast sprayer sprayed fluorescent tracer in the third row from the orchard’s downwind edge, with four passes being one run. A total of 20 runs, i.e., 17 spray runs and three blanks, were performed during each of the two crop growth stages. Mylar cards, artificial foliage (AF), and horizontal strings (HS) were used to quantify drifting spray deposition up to 183 m (600 ft) downwind. Within the orchard, the deposition on card samplers 3 m upwind of the sprayed row was 21.94% ±4.63% (mean ± standard deviation) of applied dose (AD) at dormant stage and 16.02% ±2.86% AD at full canopy stage. Deposition downwind and adjacent (-3 m) to the sprayed row was 17.92% ±2.70% AD and 7.15% ±1.78% AD at dormant and full canopy stages, respectively. Spray drift decreased substantially at the orchard edge to 3.18% ±1.30% AD at dormant stage and 2.30% ±1.16% AD at full canopy stage. Spray drift was very low at 183 m (600 ft) downwind of the orchard, with deposition of 0.002% ±0.003% AD at dormant stage and 0.003% ±0.004% AD at full canopy stage. Deposition data collected at common sampler locations showed that HS and AF samplers collected significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) more drifting spray than card samplers. Downwind speeds had a strong linear relationship with spray drift at both growth stages (dormant: R2= 0.80, full canopy: R2= 0.86), while the influence of temperature and humidity could not be directly observed from the collected data. Keywords: Airblast spraying, Deposit samplers, Dormant and full canopy, Drift, Modern orchard systems.

Combining farming practices drastically shrinks blue orchard bee populations

![Graphic][1] Blue orchard bees pollinate fruit trees in orchards across the United States. However, multiple farming practices pose a threat to the bees’ survival. Though both pesticides and changing landscapes can affect survival of bees in the lab, little is known about their combined

The onset of controlled hybridization, pollination studies and the history of pollinizer application in the commercial fruit tree orchards in Iran

The onset of controlled hybridization, pollination studies and the history of pollinizer application in the commercial fruit tree orchards in Iran

Soil microbial and nutrient responses over seven years of organic apple orchard maturation

Seven years of twelve treatment combinations of annual compost, wood chips, shredded paper mulch, or mow-and-blow ground cover and poultry litter, organic commercial, or no fertilizer control surface applications on soil decomposition and microbial activity were evaluated in an organic apple orchard. Because soil amendments were surface applied, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, organic matter, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved total nitrogen (N), ammonium-N, and nitrate-N concentrations were measured in March from 2007 to 2013 at 0–0.1 and 0.1–0.3 m soil depths where biochemical activity and nutrient availability were expected to be greatest and where tree roots were expected to be located. Ground covers were applied by volume based on horticulture management and these applications rather than fertilizers were stronger drivers of soil nutrient and microbial property responses. Dehydrogenase and β-glucosaminidase activities were 1.5 times greater in 2008 and 2009, respectively, under mow-and-blow as compared to other ground covers. Enzymes may be sensitive indicators separating living and non-living mulch effects on soil during establishment of fruit tree orchards in the southeastern U.S. Organic matter (OM) and soil water content increased in all ground covers during the study. At greatest differences, soil OM and DOC were more than twice and dissolved total N and nitrate-N were more than three and five times greater in compost than other ground cover treatments. Relative differences between compost and other ground covers did not persist to the same extent during the seven years. Orchard floor management may need different strategies during different stages of orchard development.

Evaluation of Organically Acceptable Methods to Control Periodical Cicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) Oviposition Injury on Nonbearing Apple Trees

Abstract Broad-spectrum insecticides are the standard control method used in tree fruit orchards to control periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) and to reduce associated oviposition injury to woody...

Weed Flora of Cherry, Walnut, Apple, Almond and Pear Orchards in Northwestern Marmara Region of Turkey

A study covering cherry, walnut, apple, almond and pear orchards in Edirne, Kırklareli and Tekirdağ provinces was carried out in 2015-2018 with the aim of determination of weed flora, weed frequencies and densities. Total of 64 species belonging to 30 families were identified in fruit tree orchards. Among all the families the most members were in Asteraceae 13 species, Poaceae, 11 species, Brassicaceae 5 species and Lamiaceae 3 species families. The dominant weed species were Amaranthus retroflexus L., Polygonum aviculare L., Capsella-bursa pastoris L. (Medik)., Concolvulus arvensis L., Lepidium draba L., Raphanus raphanistrum L., Chenopodium album L., Cichorium intybus L. in Tekirdağ while Datura stramonium L. distribution in Edirne Uzunköprü and Kırklareli was remarkably high. Semi parazitic weed Viscum album and full parasite Cuscuta campestris Yunck were also detected in some orchards. V. album was widespread among pear trees while Cuscuta campestris Yunck was detected only in suckers emerged in apple and cherry orchards. According to density A. retroflexus has received the first order with 76 plant/m2, following C. album with 54 plant/m2, Lactuca serriola with 27 plant/m2, D. stramonium L. with 24 plant/m2, Portulaca oleracea with 21 plant/m2

Developmental abnormality caused by Fusarium mangiferae in mango fruit explored via molecular characterization

Current study has for the first time assessed the preponderance and severity of developmental abnormalities of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit via molecular characterization of fungal pathogens in the selected geographical sites known for eminent mango production. Thirty eight orchards in mango producing regions were selected for disease assessment and molecular characterization of the disease causing agents. Among these regions, fruit trees in orchards of Muzafargarh and Multan expressed 100% disease prevalence in comparison to Khanewal region. Causal agents’ isolation was done from twenty one samples on potato dextrose agar media followed by morphological identification via determination of the culture aspects. The identification of the most prevalent pathogenic fungus, Fusarium mangiferae was confirmed by molecular analysis through sequencing. From all the fungal isolates, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated using phenol DNA extraction method. A pair of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primer was used for the amplification the obtained DNA. The amplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were resolved using 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide. Isolates’ band size was in range 580–600 base pair. The amplified products from ITS-5.8S-rDNA were sequenced and then compared to ITS sequences of isolated species from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) which exhibited 97 to 100% similarity with Fusarium magnifierae. Current research is indicative of the profound involvement of the Fusarium magnifierae in deterioration of the mango fruits rendering its local consumption and export quality a challenging and risky task at the global level in terms of human health. Furthermore, novel investigations focusing the sustainable and cost effective modes for inhibition of Fusarium magnifierae pathogen are required for the global control of mango disease.

A Video Image Segmentation System for the Fruit-trees in Multi-stage Outdoors Orchard under Natural Conditions

Segmentation is an important part of each machine vision system that has a direct relationship with the final system accuracy and performance. Outdoors segmentation is often complex and difficult due to both changes in sunlight intensity and the different nature of background objects. However, in fruit-tree orchards, an automatic segmentation algorithm with high accuracy and speed is very desirable. For this reason, a multi-stage segmentation algorithm is applied for the segmentation of apple fruits with Red Delicious cultivar in orchard under natural light and background conditions. This algorithm comprises a combination of five segmentation stages, based on: 1- L*u*v* color space, 2- local range texture feature, 3- intensity transformation, 4- morphological operations, and 5- RGB color space. To properly train a segmentation algorithm, several videos were recorded under nine different light intensities in Iran- Kermanshah (longitude: 7.03E; latitude: 4.22N) with natural (real) conditions in terms of both light and background. The order of segmentation stage methods in multi-stage algorithm is very important since has a direct relationship with final segmentation accuracy. The best order of segmentation methods resulted to be: 1- color, 2- texture and 3- intensity transformation methods. Results show that the values of sensitivity, accuracy and specificity, in both classes, were higher than 97.5%, over the test set. We believe that those promising numbers imply that the proposed algorithm has a remarkable performance and could potentially be applied in real-world industrial case.

RATE OF NATURAL PREDATION OF Anagasta kuehniella EGGS AT DIFFERENT PLANT COMPOSITIONS

The parasitoid Trichogramma spp. multiplied in moth eggs Anagasta kuehniella may be released by the technique of spreading the eggs unprotected, but natural predation can be an impediment to this procedure. This study aimed to assess the rhythm of natural predation of A. kuehniella eggs in different vegetation compositions at Moura Lacerda University Center, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Three agricultural crops (coffee, sugarcane and pasture), three orchards of fruit trees (mango, lemon and banana) and three thickets were selected. Blue cardboards of 5 x 5 cm were painted with a thin layer of 50% gum arabic and then eggs of A. kuehniella were spread evenly over the same. Between 2013, October 14th and 19th, 10 cards were distributed in each area mentioned, under the ground, except in orchards, where 5 were fixed in plants and the other 5 placed in the ground, leaving about 1 m from each other. The cards were placed in the field at 6:00 am and changed every two hours to 18:00 pm. A night evaluation from 18:00 pm to 6:00 am was also performed. There were significant differences among treatments, with a higher average percentage of predation in coffee, sugarcane crop, lemon, banana and thicket areas from landmark and hill of the campus than that in pasture, mango orchard and the lakeside thicket. Predation was more intense from 8:00 to 10:00 am, from 12:00 to 16:00 pm, in general, and in the evening for the most of the vegetables compositions studied.

The vitality of fruit trees in ancient Bedouin orchards in the Arid Negev Highlands (Israel): Implications of climatic change and environmental stability

Thirty-seven sites with fruit tree orchards were found in the arid Negev Highlands of southern Israel. A variety of domesticated fruit trees were planted in these orchards, including date palm, fig, olive, pomegranate, almond, carob, pistachio, grapevine and bitter orange. The orchards were irrigated only by runoff water accumulating in runoff-harvesting systems built during the Byzantine and Early Muslim eras, some 1000–1500 years ago, which, despite their antiquity, are still vivid and occasionally fruit bearing today. The oldest olive trees seem to be direct descendants of trees planted during Byzantine times, whereas the youngest trees were planted by the Bedouin population of the Negev Highlands in the last few decades. The fact that the Bedouin population, with very little experience in agriculture, has succeeded to cultivate a large variety of fruit trees in the present harsh arid climate utilizing the historical agricultural installations has important environmental implications. It indicates that the original builders of the desert agriculture systems were highly sophisticated in transforming desert soil into arable land. However, this was achieved through hard labor, involving the construction of a vast number of stone dams and agricultural terraces to divert channels, and the clearing of rocky surfaces. This huge effort indicates that the climate and environment prevailing during the Byzantine–Early Muslim eras was equally harsh and arid; otherwise, the invested labor would not have been justified. We conclude that the Byzantine farmers, with their greater agricultural experience and long heritage in dry land agriculture, have achieved greater success than today Bedouin population, at cultivating of fruit trees under the harsh conditions of the Negev Highlands. Therefore we deduce that the ancient desert agriculture was not the outcome of better climate; rather, the climate prevailing during the relevant historical times was probably dry and harsh, much like today. The fact that the Bedouin population in that geograghical area is cultivating orchards utilizing the same constructions, and technologies indicates that the present environmental and climatic conditions were are suitable for practicing desert agriculture and have hardly changed since the Byzantine era.

Efficacy of Two (2) Organic Fertilizer Sources (Oil Palm Bunch and Vermicast) on the Growth Response of Tetrapleura tetraptera

To increase awareness of Tetrapleura tetraptera potential uses, enhance its utilization and promote its domestication as a fruit trees, a potential use of organic manure as soil amendment in afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, fruit tree orchards, and bio-energy plantations cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, the study to determine the efficacy of organic manure (sole application and its interaction) on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera under a screen house condition was carried out in Federal College of Forest, Ibadan located within the government Reserve Area (GRA) Jericho Ibadan. The experimental design was a 2 x 8 factorial arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with seven (7) replicates each making a total of 112 experimental samples. The treatments used were as follows: vermicast at two levels (20t/ha, 40t/ha), oil palm bunch at two levels (20t/ha, 40t/ha), interaction of vermicast and oil palm bunch (1:1, 1:2 and 2:1) and Control (no amendment). Data on plant height number of leaves, collar diameter and dry matter yields were generated and subjected to analysis of variance and significant means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5 % level of significance. The results shows that, the collar diameter of Tetrapleura tetraptera increased (P=0.05) with the sole application of oil palm bunch at 40t/ha with a mean value of 2.16mm , however, this increase can also be comparable to the sole application of oil palm bunch at 20t/ha with a mean value of 2.04 mm. Oil palm bunch at 20t/ha recorded the highest plant of Tetrapleura tetraptera with a mean value of 18.00 cm while the interaction of VC+OB (2:1) and VC 40t/ha are also relatively comparable to the control (no amendment) to improve the plant height. The highest leaves number was observed when oil palm bunch 20t/ha was used as an amendment with a mean value of 14.0 while the lowest number of leaves was recorded with the interaction VC+OB 1:1 with a mean value of 12.0. From the results obtained, oil palm bunch residue as an organic fertilizer improves the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera.

Modelling historical and potential future climate impacts on Keremeos Creek, an Okanagan-Similkameen watershed, British Columbia, Canada: Part II. Forecasting change in farm-level greenhouse gas emissions

This manuscript, Part II of a climate change impacts assessment series, describes changes in CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions and soil carbon storage on a theoretical farm in the Keremeos Creek watershed under scenarios of historical and potential climate using Holos v3.0.3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions model. The GENerate Earth SYstems Science input (GENESYS) spatial hydro-meteorological model outputs from Part I, which represent future hydro-meteorological conditions in the watershed under the ensemble averages of 15 General Circulation Models (GCMs) for two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) and three time periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) relative to the 1961–1990 base period, are adapted to provide Holos v3.0.3 inputs. Adapting the GENESYS output facilitated Holos v3.0.3 modelling of farm GHG emissions to determine whether the simulated farm with both beef and crop production becomes a carbon sink, or source. The result demonstrated that there may be reductions in emissions related to enteric CH4, manure CH4, manure direct N2O, and indirect N2O for different climate change scenarios and time periods. However, there may also be increases in crop direct N2O and energy use CO2 for the same scenarios. Furthermore, soil carbon storage under fruit tree orchards is expected to increase. According to this result, the simulated farm in the Keremeos Creek watershed is a carbon sink and the carbon capture projects an increase to higher levels, depending on different climate change scenarios and time periods. However, if the simulation is conducted without fruit tree orchards as a carbon sink, the simulated farm in the Keremeos Creek watershed is a carbon source and the carbon emissions will increase for different climate change scenarios and time periods. These results demonstrate the importance of woody crops as a mitigation option for reducing farm-level GHG emissions in future.

Earthworm communities in conventional and organic fruit orchards under two different climates

Climate strongly influences the distribution of soil organisms in agroecosystems, but local agricultural practices can also alter the natural composition of soil communities. Conventional (CONV) practices usually cause long-term negative effects in soil agroecosystems, by reducing soil biodiversity and altering edaphic processes, while organic (ORG) practices promote soil health and the diversity and abundance of fauna. Here, we used distributional and multivariate analyses to compare the species composition and ecological structure of earthworm communities in four fruit orchards (kiwifruit, grapevine, clementine, and olive) cultivated under CONV and ORG practices and located in two different biogeographic regions of the Iberian Peninsula (Atlantic and Mediterranean). Results indicated that the interaction among the three factors studied (biogeographic region, agricultural management and fruit tree orchard) caused a significant effect on all parameters analyzed (abundance, biomass, diversity, earthworms communities, and earthworms life strategies). More earthworms were collected in Atlantic (7160 ind m−2) than Mediterranean (5576 ind m−2) region, although no differences were found between CONV and ORG practices. However, agricultural practices caused an important effect on earthworm diversity, with significant reductions in species richness (S), diversity (H′ index) and mature earthworms in the dryer and warmer climate under CONV practices. The multivariate analysis reflected those dissimilarities in ecological structure between biogeographic regions (95%) and agricultural practices (>82%). Finally, the comparison of the abundance and biomass curves confirmed that ORG practices were beneficial for earthworm populations, showing moderate or absence of ecological perturbation, and consequently, they diverted more energy to individual growth than to reproduction. Therefore, the positive effects of implementing more sustainable agricultural practices in agroecosystems will depend on their interactive effects with environmental factors, being especially useful in the dryer and warmer climates, such as in the Mediterranean region.

Extensive Orchards in the Agricultural Landscape: Effective Protection against Fraying Damage Caused by Roe Deer

The objective of this research was to determine the efficiency of different types of protective barriers and how they protect against fraying damage in extensive fruit tree orchards. Orchards in open agricultural land are the target of fraying damage caused by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). We assessed the effectiveness of four protective barriers: a rabbit-proof fence, a standard plastic tube commonly used in forestry, and an innovative plastic tube—variants with and without an additional rendering fat application. The study was situated in three extensive orchards in the southeastern part of Moravia in the Czech Republic. We analyzed the ratio of damaged trees, stem circumference damage, the length and height of damage on tree stems, the time periods with the most observed damage, and finally, the economic efficiency of each studied barrier. Most of the damage was observed in April and July. The most effective protective barrier was the innovative tube with rendering fat application (up to 100%) followed closely by the innovative tube without rendering fat application (95%). The standard plastic tube had an effectiveness of 49%, while the rabbit-proof fence was the least effective at 25%. In terms of the mean damage-lengths on tree stems, we found no significant differences between the rabbit-proof fence and the standard plastic tubes (21–22 cm). The usage of the innovative plastic tube without rendering fat reduced the average damage-length by half (10 cm) as compared to standard types (rabbit-proof fence, standard tube) of protection. The damage-heights on tree stems showed no significant differences among all variants (53–58 cm from the ground). Our analysis of economic parameters showed that rabbit-proof fencing had the worst cost efficiency, while the innovative tubes without rendering fat, had the best cost efficiency. We recommend starting the installation of protective barriers on trees in March, since we recorded relatively high activity of male roe deer in the following months.

Going “green” from gray: Providing opportunities of community development and sustainability within a correctional facilities program

This quasi-experimental study examined the community and psychosocial benefits in the development of a “green space” environmental project (apple fruit tree orchard) among community residents and inmates in a minimum security prison in St. Paul, MN. Seventeen (n = 17) participants volunteered in the development of an apple tree orchard located on the grounds of a prison facility located in Ramsey County, MN. Participants (inmates and community residents) prepared the planting area (two acres) and planted a variety of 60 fruit bearing apple trees (Frostbite©, HoneyCrisp©, SnowSweet©, and Haralson©) designed for an upper Midwest (zone 3a) environment. After the tree planting project, a survey was administered that examined perceptions of volunteering in community service programs and how connected individuals felt to their community after participation. A Pearson correlation coefficient test identified a highly significant correlation (r=.934; p<.001) between the variables of community service work as important activities for all persons with feeling better connected to the community. Suggestions for future research involving community service activities within correctional facilities are offered.

Developing undergraduate community psychology pedagogy and research practice

In this study two community psychology students describe their experiences in participating in different types of “green” volunteer sustainable programs. In the first scenario, Anthonie Collins describes his experiences in working with young men in a youth detention facility and how the participants discovered the intrinsic value of maintaining a vegetable community garden. In the second scenario, Jordan Seitz describes her experiences in organizing a community apple harvest at a local fruit tree orchard in Wyoming, MN. At the conclusion of their community service projects, participants were interviewed regarding their overall subjective experiences in participating in an outdoor “green space” community service project and how superordinate programs that provide increased positive contact helped improve understanding of persons from ethnically diverse cultures and appreciate the value of outdoor “green” voluntary programs.

Pairing a Q Study with Participatory Decision-making around Farmworker Safety: A Case in Washington's Tree Fruit Industry

Tenets of participatory decision-making speak to the importance of meaningful participation from diverse stakeholders for improving both process and outcomes. But what participation actually looks like can vary substantially, and constructing a group where all actors can truly speak is often elusive. In addressing controversies over pesticide safety in tree fruit orchards in Washington State, we used a Q study to identify divergent viewpoints and convened a group to bring these views together. The resulting stakeholder working group was then challenged to both acknowledge their often-opposing viewpoints and to construct a mutually beneficial idea for improving pesticide safety in the tree fruit industry. This paper explores the dynamics of this stakeholder working group, analyzing not only its successes but also its challenges and difficulties. Rooted in a mainstream agricultural industry in the western United States, this study highlights the ways in which seemingly simple things like who “shows up” and why can shape processes and outcomes. See the press release for this article.