The British Independent Fruit Growers Association (BIFGA) is to celebrate its coming of age next year with a top-fruit planting project to be known as BIFGA 21.
The association was formed by John Breach, who remains as chairman, in 1988, and will launch the project to highlight its landmark birthday with a varieties trials orchard. A number of fruit tree suppliers have generously donated the material for the project that will be carried out at two main Kent sites - Hadlow College and Brogdale Orchards. Ten trees will be planted at each, and another will be planted at the RHS Garden in Wisley, Surrey, with more of a consumer slant.
Breach believes that the number of varieties eventually planted could be as high as 40, with some of the confirmed forerunners being Scrumptious, Herefordshire Russet, Red Windsor, Limelight, Glamac, Fuji Fiero, September Wonder and Mariac La Flamboyante.
The BIFGA secretariat is on the look-out for additional support, financial, technical or product-wise from within the industry, and all sponsors will be acknowledged on a “Supporters List” throughout the 10-year life of the trial.
