Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geography

First Advisor

Lucius Hallett IV, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Lisa DeChano-Cook, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Steven Bertman, Ph.D.

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study compares the variables and outcomes of a conventional apple orchard and a regenerative apple orchard production system in Kent County, Michigan. The premise is that conventional agriculture relies on high-input systems characterized by synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, while regenerative agriculture focuses on long-term soil health, biodiversity, and ecological processes. These differences are important as soil degradation, nutrient loss, and environmental impacts are becoming too significant to ignore. Most research on alternative ways to farm, such as regenerative practices, is focused on annual crops, while perennial orchard systems, especially in the Great Lakes region, have gained limited attention. Apple orchards in Michigan provide an ideal setting for comparing these different management approaches. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in soil health, nutrient dynamics, soil moisture, and biodiversity between the two systems.

Data were collected during the 2025 growing season (July-September). Soil samples were collected twice (July and September) and analyzed for soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and nutrient concentrations. Leaf tissue samples were collected once in August to assess nutrient concentration. Soil moisture was measured over a 10-day rain-free period to compare moisture decline between orchards. Independent and paired t-tests were used to compare differences between orchards as well as seasonal changes from July-September.

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