organic apples Few North Carolina orchards are certified organic and, like many farmers, Mooney uses some spray to keep dis-ease and pests in check. “We’re what you call a limited-spray orchard,” Mooney says. “I have to spray enough to get a market-able fruit but my fruit is going to have little blemishes on it because we stop spraying generally two weeks before the harvest of a crop.” She and others say part of the reason for spray is that consumers demand good-looking fruit. “Everyone wants that per-fect, shiny red apple,” Ruff says. Calhoun says organic apple farming is possible in North Carolina but called it “a really rough row to hoe.” “You have to lower your expectations dramatically,” he says. “It’s a lot of work and then you don’t get much return for your efforts.” For most home orchardists, he says a low-spray program is often a more practical approach. october 2014 I get to do yoga on the beach. Joanne’s knees were worn out: years of sports had taken their toll. The pain, obvious to all who knew her, was something she tried to ignore. Then, she had both knees replaced at New Hanover Regional Medical Center Orthopedic Hospital. Now, she’s able to walk and do yoga – pain free. www.nhrmc.org Nationally Ranked. Dedicated to Orthopedics. 94 WBM
October 2014
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