International Fruit Tree Association

09/02/2026

The International Fruit Tree Association summer study tour visited New York’s Hudson Valley fruit farms finding ways to add value to their apples. See what they saw at: https://goodfruit.com/diversification-and-innovation-in-new-york-orchards/

08/25/2026

08/19/2026

Check out some notable quotables, courtesy of some of New York’s finest in the fruit-growing industry.

08/19/2026

CROP UPDATE! Joan Hebb, IFTA board member from Nova Scotia, enlists the help of Perennia tree fruit specialist, Michelle Cortens to figure out what is going on with her trees and their discolored bark.

08/17/2026

CROP UPDATE! Mike Flinchbaugh, IFTA board member from Pennsylvania, discusses the aftermath of a tough freeze and shows off his experiment with trellised peaches.

08/05/2026

A great write up on the recent IFTA Summer Study Tour in the Hudson Valley, NY!

There was plenty to see and learn at International Fruit Tree Association's 2026 Summer Tour in New York's Hudson Valley. American Fruit Grower was there.

07/27/2026

CROP UPDATE! David Tower, IFTA board member from Western New York, fills us in out what appears to be a really good year for farmers in his neck of the woods and walks us through some of the things they are doing at his orchards to encourage strong and healthy growth with his apple trees.

07/25/2026

What an incredible honor for our family farm! 🍎🌳

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Fruit Tree Association for including Hurds Family Farm as a stop on the 2026 IFTA Summer Tour. We were truly honored to welcome growers, researchers, educators, and industry leaders from around the world to our farm and share what we've been working on. The tour highlighted innovative orchards and practices across the Hudson Valley, and we were proud to be part of those conversations.

As a 7th-generation family farm, we're always looking for new ways to farm smarter while creating a sustainable future for the next generation. It was exciting to showcase many of the innovative ideas we're implementing—from sharing how we continue adapting our orchard management, embracing new technology, and finding creative ways to help Mother Nature and our environment. Every season brings new challenges, but it also brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate.

Thank you again to everyone who visited our farm, asked thoughtful questions, and shared your knowledge. We hope you enjoyed your time in the Hudson Valley as much as we enjoyed hosting you!

07/25/2026

07/25/2026