Organic is organic, but Washington organic is better yet. Doing business as Washington Organic, he now sells certified organic apples and pears under the King Blossom Natural label packed by Apple House, Inc., Brewster, Washington. This is the second season of their partnership. Just as an inferior product would hurt the conventional market, so it would be detrimental for organic sales. He contends that organic fruit production will always be a farming niche, because adopting organic practices requires a higher than average degree of horticultural skills.
Good growers do well.
Growing organic is considerably harder, and the gamble is much greater. Even truly organic certification standards and procedures vary. For example, in Washington, the state Department of Agriculture certifies organic, while in Oregon, the Tilth organization is in charge. The USDA backpedaled, but, eventually, there will be a national set of standards, he believes. Meanwhile, organic markets are becoming more label-conscious.