Grow Your Own Orchard: Apple & Pear Grafting Workshop

Join UW Extension Milwaukee County, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network for an evening of hands-on learning in fruit tree grafting - an essential and empowering skill for orchardists and backyard growers alike.

This workshop will be led by experienced apple grower Margaret Krome, with support from Martin Ventura and Josie Dillon of UW Extension. Grafting is a way that tree growers combine the best traits of two or more varieties into one plant. By coupling a disease-resistant semi-dwarf  root stock with scion wood from a variety that produces excellent fruit, growers can achieve greater control over tree size, disease risk, and fruit type in their orchards.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of bench grafting and the science behind combining rootstock and scion wood to create strong, productive fruit trees.

Each participant will graft and take home TWO bareroot fruit trees.

Presenters

• Margaret Krome is a passionate apple grower with many years of experience teaching grafting to new audiences. Almost all of the trees in her southwestern WI orchard have grown from plants she grafted, and she enjoys sharing the basics of this fun and cost-effective way to grow apples with new grafters. 

  
  

• Martin Vetura manages the UW Extension Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program. He is learning to be a more confident apple grafter. He loves to plant trees and eat apples. 

  
  

• Josie Dillon is the UW Extension Fruit Crop Specialist. An entomologist by training, her knowledge on apple tree care and fruit crop pests is vast. Josie is versed in the basics of bench grafting and is looking forward to learning from experienced grafters while sharing her own deep knowledge about all topics related to fruit trees. 

Registration

Pre-registration is required for this event. Please sign up with the link below.

Cost

Cost for this event is $10, to cover supplies. If cost is a barrier to participation for you, please contact us.

Language Access

Interpretation is not available for this event.

Food & Refreshments

We are serving tacos! Meat and vegetarian options will be available. Please bring a water bottle, for sustainability.

Questions?

Contact Martin Ventura at mkventura@wisc.edu.

Partners

This event is lead by UW-Extension Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program, in partnership with the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.

About UW-Extension Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program

The UW-Extension Milwaukee County Urban Agriculture Program supports a thriving local food system through hands-on education, land access, and conservation initiatives. The Urban Agriculture Program provides community garden plots to gardeners and microfarmers across Milwaukee County, advances sustainable land management practices through innovative urban agroforestry programming, and offers a Beekeeping for Certification course that teaches participants to responsibly manage beehives in the city. The Urban Agriculture Program also leads the Milwaukee Urban Demonstration (MUD) Farm Network, bringing together farmers, researchers, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to model and share practices that improve soil health, protect water, provide wildlife habitat, and strengthen small-scale urban farms. Learn more at https://milwaukee.extension.wisc.edu/urban-agriculture/.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, MFAI supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events. Learn more and join us at michaelfields.org.

About the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network

The MKE Urban Ag Network (MUAN) is a Michael Fields Agricultural Institute-led project that connects Milwaukee-area individuals to sustainable agriculture and agricultural conservation education, community networking, and resource sharing.  Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events. Learn more at michaelfields.org/muan

Photos and videos may be taken during this event and used by the Milwaukee Urban Ag Network (MUAN) and partners for promotional purposes, including on our website, social media, newsletters, and other outreach materials. If you prefer not to have your photo taken or used, please let an event staff member know when you arrive, and we will be happy to accommodate your request.