Orchardists interested in joining the growing organic-cherry movement need commitment, patience, and intimate knowledge of their block, a panel of organic cherry producers and marketers advised during the annual Cherry Institute meeting in Yakima, ­Washington. Organic cherry acreage has grown significantly in recent years in the Pacific Northwest, and shows little sign of slowing down. According to Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State University data, there were fewer than 200 acres of certified organic cherries in 2000, but by 2007, there were more than 1,000. It’s estimated that there are now more acres in transition than those already […]