My research and outreach program is designed to address sustainability issues in the tree fruit and viticulture industries in Vermont. In the past five years, I have been successful in attaining over $1.4 million in extramural funding for projects including: assessment of organic apple production systems; cold-hardy grape cultivar evaluation; assessment of apple production systems for hard cider markets; and mitigation of apple replant disease. Funding sources include competitive state and federal agencies including the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and multiple USDA programs as well as industry groups (Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association, Vermont Hard Cider LLC, private orchards). My research questions are almost always generated by farmers, and my projects tend to be more producer- than academic-focused.