An Antipodean Apple Narrative: How Place and Time Evolved for the Market

Abstract

In order to understand the social and ecological history of apple growing, we undertook historical research, drawing upon in-depth interviews with apple growers to explore local and historic knowledge as well as to obtain an understanding of contemporary growing practices and decision-making among orchardists. The research shows that all apple orchard businesses are still family owned, and most of them have a history going back at least three generations, but the way orchards are run is increasingly focused on industrial-scale efficiency and productivity. Short-term economic decisions often take priority over longer-term sustainable choices. Diversity on all levels is decreasing. There are f..