June 2020 - 27

NOTES FROM THE FARM
Ponder new operational approaches with COVID-19
JERRY MILLS
Mills Apple Farm
jerry@millsapplefarm.com
point: Measles. This disease could have
been eradicated worldwide long ago,
but there are still a few people, who for
one reason or another, refuse to accept
immunizations. The same will probably
be true of COVID-19.
It is difficult for me to understand
Spraying fruit trees. Well, here we
are at the most critical time of the year
for spraying our apples and peaches and
it keeps raining. I am using an extra
sticker this year in hopes of getting
more mileage from the sprays.
Even so, if it is not sprayed it cannot
stick. Same thing happened last year
but we lucked out and had clean apples.
Fingers crossed.
Shelter in place! What a great time
to be a farmer. Most of our national
population live in towns, in houses,
apartments, condominiums and even
on the streets. I suppose when most
hear the word place, they think of where
they live and sleep. Work is somewhere
else. All true. However, we farmers have
a better option. Our place is our farm,
where we live, sleep, eat and work.
I think the COVID-19 virus will
pose a threat for the rest of our lives,
even if we develop vaccines. Case in
such thought processes when so much
is at stake for the world at large. There
comes a time when selfish personal
prerogatives have to yield for higher
causes.
New do-it-ourselves orchard.
A couple of months ago I wrote
about developing a heritage orchard
composed of the surviving apple
varieties that we planted back in 1973.
The list is not complete. Some were not
suitable and disappeared. We grafted 25
scions, when available, of each variety.
There are 400 grafted rootstocks, plus
100 extras.
Dealing with virus and farmers'
markets. The local farmers' market
in Edwardsville will open late with a
different footprint. The organization
will facilitate keeping personal
distances. It will be curious to see how
well it works.
Different challenges for on-farm
markets. It looks as if we will have to
We might develop a sideline business.
Require everyone to have a mask and
sell them our homemade masks if they
don't have one. To go even further, print
our name and logo on them and label
them as renewable when laundered.
Found one smart reader. A lady
reader reports that she not only ordered
and read my book, but she cuts out
succeeding columns and adds them
to the book, so it is always up-to-date.
That is about the ultimate compliment
for a column writer. I'd like to send her
a bouquet of roses but we both might
get in trouble. Thank you, missus.
Job opportunity! Today a recruiter
Jerry Mills holds grafted rootstocks ready
to plant at Mills Apple Farm, Marine,
Illinois. Scions are dipped in warm
beeswax. Photo: Jerry Mills
make changes to how we operate our
pick-your-own farm. The traditional
wagon ride to the picking area may have
to change to drive yourself. The everpopular
three-story maze may have to
close and perhaps the swings too.
sent an email asking if I was interested
in being a facility/plant manager
for a co-op in another state. The job
comes with all the privileges of lower
management, moving expenses paid,
personal truck, home office and
communications equipment, 40 hours
per week plus weekends as needed,
medical insurance, 401(k), etc.
I replied that I was tempted, but at
my advanced age, might have trouble
remembering new procedures, and
besides, I just lost my glasses.
What do I do if they offer to pay for a
new pair? FGN
FGN | JUNE 2020 | 27
June 2020

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