Tough economic times in fruit growing have prompted Mike Brownfield of Chelan, Washington, to develop new marketing strategies and expand the range of crops grown on the family’s orchard. “Personally, I’m looking at this place more like an investment portfolio,” he said. “I want a wide range of diversity in the kinds of fruit and varieties, and in my marketing strategy. I’m just trying to cover all the bases.” His father, John, an organic grower and founding member of Washington Tilth, might have influenced Brownfield to grow fruit organically, but when he returned to the family farm in 1990, after […]