i have noticed a general lack of knowledge on this board when it 
comes to the natural and organic food market. 

Instead of serious discussion on topics like artisinal and organic 
honey the ignorance of the market potential is displayed by poking fun 
at small details that are apperently not understood. 

Before the US government got involved in the oversight of the organic 
standards, the 2 or 3 large organic certification houses in the USA 
published guidelines and certified  beekeepers as organic ( and still 
do). The fact that the US government has not included honey in the 
newer regs does not  change the market realities.  Many consumers 
are aware of the independent certification houses and value the name 
recognittion that they carry.

With the advent of large multinational companies moving into the 
organic food production and distribution markets, many consumers 
are rightly suspect of these corporations influence in Washington on 
changes proposed to the organic standards. This is big money!

There are places in the lower 48 where organic production could be 
certified, mostly in the western and northern regions.

Its ironic as the wholesale market for honey has slowly collasped that 
many beekeepers have not recognized that the natural and organic 
food sections in most grocery stores including Walmart and Target 
are rapidly expanding and offers numerous opportunities for 
beekeepers to get $5-$10 per pound for their honey. 

Yes beleive it or not I do care what my customers think about the 
ethics and practices I use in the keeping of my hives. They pay me 
well and I  can lavish my bees with money and time that the 
commercial folks can only imagine as they chase small margins or 
the goldrush in California. 

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