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County Impact Statements - Howard County
Agriculture Program Focuses on Improving Peach Production
Howard County was once the premier peach growing region in the United States.
At one time there were over 100,000 acres of peaches grown in the county. Today
there are approximately 120 acres of peach orchards left in the county, with
approximately 10 different growers. These orchards are mostly pick-your-own and
direct market to the consumer at the farm. Many of the farmers are not using IPM
practices to reduce pesticide use.
The Joey Jamison Orchard was part of a Southern Region Peach Integrated Pest
Management Program. Through this program, a trapping system was instituted to
determine the level of insect pressure his orchard received each season. The
first season his spray schedule was not altered any. The second season he
eliminated three insecticide sprays. The third season he knew how to predict the
insect hatches and was able to eliminate three more sprays. So in three years he
reduced his application of insect sprays from ten to four.
The Joey Jamison Orchard participated in the Southern Region
Peach Integrated Pest Management Program.
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Impacts
- Currently there are approximately 120 acres of peach orchards in the
county with ten different growers.
- During a three year program, Joey reduced spray application for insects
from ten to four sprays annually.
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