Minnesota grower Harry Hoch helped found a new organization called the Organic Tree Fruit Growers Association, and his wife, Jackie, is the first president.

The organization started as an informal network of a few upper Midwest growers who wanted to help each other meet the challenges of growing organic fruit in a humid region.

The association plans to devote itself to education, research, and advocacy. It will have its own Web site in the future, but currently goes through the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service’s site at www.mosesorganic.org/treefruit/intro.htm.

For a more detailed article about the OTFGA, go to the Good Fruit Grower Web site at goodfruit.com and search for “New association helps organic tree fruit growers.”