Today in the orchard
John and Oscar checking out the plants at Super Chilly Farm
Oscar Hurtado-Gonzales and his family visited the farm while on a family vacation. Oscar is a plant pathologist at APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) at the USDA. He and I have worked together to import nearly two dozen historic cider apples from the UK over the past 15 years. It has been with Oscar’s help that we’ve finally got the true Foxwhelp here in the US.
Plant importation has been frustrating in the past. APHIS was known to hold onto material for years, sometimes even decades, before releasing it. As a result, many folks resorted to the “suitcase” or “pocket” method of sneaking material into the country. (Not a good idea.) Since he joined APHIS, Oscar has been stream-lining the process using the latest genetic technology, and release-times have been greatly reduced. He’s also great fun to work with.
If you’re considering importing apple cultivars from around the world, he is the one to contact. Going through APHIS is always preferable to the suitcase method. The more we use their expertise, the better chance we have of minimizing agricultural catastrophes. And, if the government notices that APHIS is being used, maybe it will continue to be funded.
