Apple bloom time - inspiration for new works

Aivars Potz, owner of the Gaigalavas farm “Silusala”, was also expected to spend the magic apple bloom. Since childhood in Aivars, the apple was in the highest honour and dignity – it was considered a valuable fruit. And that was what prompted the landlord to take action in this area, and as early as 2000, Aivars planted his first 2 ha orchards. It started the master's path to the kingdom of the apple garden and his heart.
When he started to host his apple garden, Aivars struggled with great perseverance not only with the fight against apple diseases but also with the damage caused by conventional farm mice, inventing a way to protect the apple. One of the most effective ways to protect apples from rural mice was the use of plastic bottles around the tree stumps. A motivated and innovation-based “Sīusalas” master learned not only by attending seminars, courses and field days, but also looking for a creative approach to his work. And with the co-financing of the European Union in 2005, the farmer purchased the necessary inventory and technique for the production of orchards – tractor, grassland, miglour etc. The lawnmowing work was facilitated and the day of work was more smoothly. The farmer is convinced that the fruit garden is the main focus of his work, patience and persistence, without losing the spark that gives satisfaction to the accomplishment. Aivars is convinced: “the quality and quantity of the harvest are proportional to the work invested.”
The gradual expansion of the area of the orchard resulted in the need for fruit and vegetable storage, which was established in 2012 with the support of the project co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. This allowed the master to offer apples not only in autumn but also in winter and spring when the most active trade takes place. From December to April, the farm's production can be found at various fairs in Vilnius, Varakhans, Rēzekne, Madona, Ludza, etc. At this time, the host is not missing – Aivars has also participated in the “School Fruit” programme, providing Rezekne, Viļānu and Ludza educational institutions with fresh apples. A large amount of apples and berries are also sold by Aivars in direct trade – people have already known the products offered by the master and valued the quality, so they buy it every year.
A number of apple varieties are growing in the apple garden – “Auksis”, “Kowalenskoje”, “Antey”, “Imros”, “Zarja Alatau” etc. The farm is based on “Auksis”, which carried a good harvest last year and reached a taste of flavour juice and “Kowalenskoje” apple varieties. At present, 7 ha of orchards are included in the farm “Sīusala” – 4.9 ha is the fruit garden producing and 2.1 ha is the apples planted in 2014, which will start to be released in 2018. In view of the diversification of products, the farmer also cultivates pears, summer apples, raspberries, blackberries, currants, sweet cherries and plums in a small area of 0.4 ha. The largest grazing farmer has harvested the harvest – 43.4 tons of apples were grown in 2014 and 45 tons of apples in 2015.
Similarly, in view of reducing the loss of apples and other fruit production, the farmer intends to expand the opportunities for marketing. Aivars currently plans to create and repair a fruit recycling building for the production of apple juice on the site. With THE support OF EU Structural Funds (under THE EAFRD LEADER programme) in 2016-2017, the farmer intends to install a fruit recycling facility and purchase the necessary equipment – juice pasteurizer, apple storage boxes, working tables etc. The implementation of the project will also allow the immediate vicinity of the surrounding area to offer apple juice and pasteurisation services. This will allow the full use of the entire apple harvest, offering apple juice, as well as small quantities of apple juice and other fruit or berries, such as apples, pears, apples, etc.
For this year, the farmer has big plans to start production of apple juice, thereby offering a new product. I wish the master luck in the garden of the apple garden, waiting for a powerful harvest, and a success in the realization of the new intention!
Ilze Tolopilo,
SIA “Latvian Rural Consultation and Education Centre”
Rezekne Consultation Office
Photo: Alexander Tolopilo