The International Fruit Tree Association returned to the place of its founding, Michigan, for its 63rd annual conference.Three of Michigan's major fruit-growing areas lie in the greater Grand Rapids region: Belding,Fremont and the Ridge — the latter, marked by rolling hills of loamy clay soil that stretch 22 miles north of Grand Rapids and 8 miles wide, is home to the bulk of Michigan's apple production. There are more than 22,000 acres of apples in the region, and 80 percent of the state's fresh apples are sold through its sales desks, according to Amy Irish-Brown and Phil Schwallier, Michigan State University Extension educators who serve growers on the Ridge.
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