Organic apple growers overcome challenges to offer healthier fruit

Growing up on his family's farm, Steve Gougeon developed a passion for working the land. In 2005, he revamped his parents' apple orchard, adding to the region's short list of organic growers of the fall fruit favorite. Before he knew it, friends asked to pick apples at his family's Bear Swamp Orchard & Cidery. Friends of those friends soon followed.

Growing up on his family's farm, Steve Gougeon developed a passion for working the land. In 2005, he revamped his parents' apple orchard, adding to the region's short list of organic growers of the fall fruit favorite. Before he knew it, friends asked to pick apples at his family's Bear Swamp Orchard & Cidery. Friends of those friends soon followed.…