The EcoApple Certification Program

Lyman Orchards is the 12^th oldest family run business in the United States. Founded in 1741, the orchard has been continuously run by the Lyman family. After learning progressive growing techniques in Holland, John Lyman returned to the United States to manage the family farm, expanding it to include baked goods and additional varieties of apples. Michael Rozyne, Red Tomato’s founder, first met John Lyman in 2003 over a shared love of ripe peaches. John was concerned about how fruit growers in the northeast could tell the story of care, stewardship, and what advanced integrated pest management (IPM) looks like on an orchard, and they began developing the Eco program with five additional orchards. With twice as many pests and diseases as growers in the western U.S. contend with, fruit growers in the northeast have to employ a wide variety of tools to deliver a fresh, delicious, and aesthetically appealing crop to market. Focusing on biological controls (such as disrupting pests’ mating habits and introducing insects that are beneficial to the crop) and healthy orchard management requires both extra vigilance and greater risk of crop loss than modern fruit farming practices, but the Eco program’s resources help farmers mitigate some of the latter.

It Takes A Village

Fly speck (a discoloration of an apple’s skin caused by a fungal growth), the brown marmorated stink bug, and unseasonal summer hail aren’t usually what we think about when picking apples. However, for John Lyman, Eric Henry (of Blue Hills Orchard), and John Rogers (of Rogers Orchards), managing agricultural challenges that range from pests to inclement weather runs in their veins, as they and their families have been growing apples for generations. While it’s easy to assume that the three orchards are competitors thanks to their close proximity, the contrary is true. They regularly share information about pests, weather events, and even go so far as to share housing for labor in an effort to reduce costs. According to Michael Rozyne, “these three orchards are our model of grower collaboration. They know each other, share risks and burden, and are committed to growing fruit in the most ecological way possible. The partnership, collaboration, and outstanding fruit are commendable in today’s world of cutthroat business.”

Eric Henry of Blue Hills Orchards, a fifth-generation farmer, carries on his own family’s tradition, growing apples, over 25 varieties of peaches, and other stone fruit including nectarines and plums. Nearby Rogers Orchards, with eight generations of history, has two generations currently involved in managing the farm. “The EcoApple program aligns with our philosophy perfectly. As stewards of the land, we strive to raise a viable and high-quality crop in the most ecologically responsible way,” says Greg Parzych, son-in-law to John Rogers, who along with John’s son Peter and daughter Maria are part of the eighth-generation to manage the orchard.