Source: Mackensy Lunsford, ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES, 3/14/17


Between a fungal disease that sounds like a Disney villain and farmers having their labor pool looted, apple growing isn't quite the idyllic pursuit it seems at first blush. "It's kind of a cutthroat business," said Don Ward, owner of T&D Orchards, bouncing down the mountain to Polk County in a truck full of apples.

For more of this story, click here.