How many years does it take for an apple orchard to be certified organic?
A. The land on which the apples are grown must have been farmed organically for three years or fallowed for three years before certification is granted. This means that for at least three years prior to the first certified organic harvest, only practices and materials allowed under the national organic standard have been used. Prior to the third year, the apples from the orchard are considered transitional fruit. Transitional fruit cannot be sold as certified organically grown.
