Last year, it said, the state's 900 apple growers sold their fruit for $132 million.

Apple growers sold last year's crop for $80.6 million, the service said.

To remain competitive, the Philip family had to become modern apple growers.

Two years ago, under public pressure, apple growers stopped using Alar.

The company acted under intense pressure from environmentalists and apple growers.

Within 60 days, most American apple growers were bankrupt.

But those two farmers, both apple growers in Clintondale, have yet to sell.

"This coming harvest may mark the last for as many as 30 percent of the nation's apple growers," he said.

Apple growers in this state, whose orchards average less than 40 acres a person, are among the last of the family farmers.

Polish apple growers will soon be protesting against the low prices offered by the processing industry.