Heritage apple project focus of KNPS program

The University of Idaho is starting a research project on heritage apples this year at their Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center on growing native plants in North Idaho.

Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society is featuring the project — and the center — at a special meeting on Saturday. Instead of being at Sandpoint Community Hall, the program will be at University of Idaho’s Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center, 10881 N. Boyer Road. (The entry gate is north of Schweitzer Mountain Road.)

Presenting the program will be Kyle Nagy, superintendent and orchard operations manager at the center; and Jennifer Jensen, the University of Idaho’s Extension educator for Bonner County.

The center also grows a wide variety of heritage apple varieties that are adapted to the region.

KNPS program participants will learn about both of these aspects of UI’s research and extension efforts in Sandpoint, as well as experience the exceptional features of the center, learn about the botany and history of apples, and sample some of the delicious, in-season apple varieties that are grown there.

Nagy has managed the USDA Certified Organic orchard consisting of 68 apple varieties since 2011.

He received his bachelor’s degree in environmental horticulture at the University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing his professional science master’s degree at the University of Idaho.

Jensen, who focuses on horticulture, small farms and food systems., received her bachelor’s degree in agriculture from West Virginia University and her master’s degree from the University of Idaho in plant science.

Before coming to Bonner County, Jensen worked at several public gardens as both a gardener and educator, and also served as the Extension educator in Boundary County for five years.

Information: Preston Andrews, prestonkandrews@gmail.com