Organic Weed Control Strategies for Apple Growers

As organic growers lose their most-common defense against fire blight, research around the country provides resources and options for control of the bacterial disease.

Prices fluctuate year-to-year, but even as the category becomes more mainstream, the market premium for organic apples is holding strong. USDA-Economic Research Service numbers for Atlanta and San Francisco, for example, show a steady increase in organic prices — especially in comparison to their conventional counterparts — over the last four years.

For Jim Koan of Almar Orchards in Flushing, MI, organic production began as an experiment as he converted part of his 150-acre orchard 20 years ago, without the resources and guides available today.

Judge rules that Holtzinger Fruit of Yakima sold organic apples for less than other packers sold the same fruit.

Columbia Marketing International, one of Washington’s largest growers, packers, and shippers, reports continued high demand for organic apples.

A research program studies the feasibility of growing organic apples in New England.