In 2001, OFRF funded a proposal, which was renewed in 2002, to investigate methods and start developing technologies for thinning organic apple crops. C. R. Rom at the University of Arkansas coordinated the work with the Colorado Organic Crop Management Association (COCMA), organic fruit growers in Colorado, and research scientists at Colorado State University. COCMA and Gerber Products provided additional funding. Later related projects for laboratory work and more field tests in Washington received partial funding from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. The University of Arkansas and Colorado State University contributed overhead and other project expenses.

The research project had the following objectives:

1. To survey and assess current fruit thinning and crop load regulation methods used by certified organic apple growers.
2. To test different crop load regulation treatments to thin fruit, promote fruit size, and encourage return bloom in apple trees.

Both objectives were met during the project. The methods originally proposed for Objective 2 were changed based on guidance and funding from OFRF and were achieved through field studies in Colorado in 2001 and 2002. The results and progress of the project are detailed in this report.