This year for the first time Virginia grower Phil Glaize will use an “Eastern” label rather than a “Virginia” label on all of his apples.
Glaize—a grower, packer and shipper of 975 acres of apples near Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley—believes it’s important that growers and packers in the East cooperate to maintain market share to keep Eastern apples in the forefront of consumers.
“The Eastern label will enable us to promote along with other Eastern growers,” said Glaize. As the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Board and the New York Apple Association continue to develop ideas together, Glaize said he will involve himself with those efforts.
Glaize is no stranger to national involvement in the apple industry. Since the late 1980s, he has been involved with the U.S. Apple Association (USApple). Glaize is a third generation grower for Fred L. Glaize LLC. His father, Philip (now deceased), was involved with the International Apple Institute, USApple’s precursor.
Glaize was president of USApple from 2000-2001 and currently serves as a board member. About his involvement, Glaize said, “I felt it was important to pay my dues. In addition you do get back what you put in.”
There are several pressing issues facing USApple, according to Glaize, including re-registrations of pesticides, trade issues and the world supply of apples and international phytosanitary concerns.
With the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, all kinds of markets have been opened up and there’s competing supplies of cheaper apples and apple products, according to Glaize.
As supplies of apples move from country to country, the apple industry needs to be concerned about what sort of pests may be introduced in this country. “It could affect our own production,” Glaize said.
“One of the most pressing issues for our nation is that we have to decide where do we want our food to come from. It’s very important for American consumers to understand that if they are not supportive of American agriculture than the production of food will move offshore,” said Glaize.
Although the government is starting to spend money to maintain open space, it’s not farmland without the farmer, according to Glaize. “Unless we can keep the farmer healthy, we won’t have farmland,” he said.
Glaize also serves as president of the Virginia Apple Growers Association, which represents 110 growers. Virginia apple growers voted out their assessment by a narrow margin, which went into effect March 1. He said the apple association is currently studying the feasibility of instituting a tax assessment on tree production at a level significantly less than what they used to have. These funds would be used to support USApple, research and Virginia’s hort society.
“We’re just beginning to feel the effects of not being able to participate with joint programs with other states,” said Glaize. He said he suspects it will cost him more money as a packer and shipper to fund his own promotional efforts.
As an Eastern grower, Glaize said they are lucky to be close to population centers. Although he ships to Florida and the Southeast, he tries to keep his sales as close to home as possible.
As Glaize’s operation is located just 40 miles from the western suburbs of Washingtion, D.C., their area is under a tremendous amount of development pressure. Glaize said that all the building going on is putting a lot of pressure on farmers.
Apple growing in the Shenandoah Valley has been a mainstay in the area since the 1920s. The area’s sloping terrain, good air drainage, limestone soils and plentiful water make it ideal for growing apples.
Glaize’s operation is located across the street from the National Fruit Processing Company, makers of the White House brand. Glaize grows mainly for the fresh-pack side of the industry. They are members of Knouse Foods in Pennsylvania.
To spread out the risk, Glaize also operates an orchard in Pennsylvania and one in Mt. Jackson, 50 miles south of Winchester. “We stretch north and south. I always thought it good insurance to have orchards spread out,” said Glaize.
In 1980, when Glaize started, they still had 40 feet by 40 feet plantings while this year they’re building a trellis.
“We’re not going to 1,000 trees to the acre. We can’t support that here,” said Glaize. They plant at 350 trees to the acre, which he believes is the most cost effective. With the light intensity and the fact his operation is not irrigated, he doesn’t want to support more trees per acre.
“Unfortunately we’re still heavy to Red Delicious,” said Glaize about variety mix. He said his customers still want Red Delicious. They also grow Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady is coming on. They continue to grow Stamen and York, which are older varieties indigenous to Appalachia, as well as Rome and Granny Smith.
Glaize’s apples are sold to different retail accounts. “I maintain as many direct sales as possible. I enjoy the selling and dealing with the customers,” said Glaize. By dealing direct, he feels customers get better service.
Glaize uses MCP for his apples and operates a CA storage. Their typical year for shipping apples ends the first part of June. “We pay particular attention to the condition of apples for shipping. We’re very fortunate if an apple doesn’t meet specifications, we will divert to processing,” Glaize said.
He said they stay on top of evolving pest issues by working closely with researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The university operates a research station located in Frederick County where Glaize is located.
Over the years Glaize has invested in new technology. In the packinghouse they have computerized sizers, color sorters and baggers. “We’re still waiting for defect sorters,” said Glaize. He said five years ago they eliminated their weight sizers and invested in the new technology.
