Hello Karen,

> Bad example. There are a number (and growing) of organic apple orchards in
the US. The published information I have seen shows they are doing quite
well economically -- no doubt due to the higher price their product brings
on the market.

I am a small orchard owner and have raised and sold apples for over twenty
years. I raised and sold organic for over a decade. I am in close contact
with several orchards in our area. I help pollinate the largest.
Niche markets will always exist. I do a niche apple market. The 200 acre
orchard I used as an example is hardly a niche. Most organic orchards are
very very small because of the problems of growing organic. I have been a
member of the small farm movement for many years and have tried many
projects from "Mother Earth" and "Organic Gardening"
I will be at the Small Farm Today trade show in Columbia , Missouri on Oct.
31, Nov.1 and 2.  Jerry Hayes from Dadant will also be at the show doing
beekeeping seminars. Stop by and visit. I believe this will be our ninth or
tenth year with a booth at  the show. Michael Phillips author of  "The Apple
Grower" a guide for the organic orchardist (excellent book) will also be at
the show. On page 5 of his book he says he has five acres with seventy
varieties. Organic apple growing is clearly a niche at best. I do not
dispute the health value of organic.
I stand by my post.

Bob

Ps   My son has never wanted to learn how to raise vegetables or fruit. I
asked him once to come out and learn how to grow a garden and he declined. I
asked what he would do if he had to grow his own vegetables? He said he
would get a book.  A successful mentor is better than any book.