Washington Fruit Growers and grower-partner Gilbert Orchards are officially Regenerative Organic Certified, the highest standard in organic agriculture, for their apple and cherry orchards.
The certification marks a significant milestone in the companies’ shared commitment to environmental responsibility and farmworker well-being, according to a news release.
Regenerative Organic Certified is an add-on to USDA Organic and emphasizes three core pillars: soil health and land management, animal welfare, and social fairness. Both Washington Fruit and Gilbert Orchards have been practicing most ROC principles for years, but the certification validates their leadership in sustainable and ethical farming, the release says.
“Becoming Regenerative Organic Certified means we practice a long-term view of organic farming,” says Gilbert Plath, chief sustainability officer for Washington Fruit Growers. “It’s about caring for our workers, restoring the health of our soil and leaving this land better than we found it. Now we have a recognized standard that holds us accountable and sets us apart.”
As part of the ROC process, Washington Fruit Growers and Gilbert Orchards have expanded their efforts to enhance biodiversity through beneficial gardens, integrated pest management, protecting local waterways and their associated riparian zones, and continued refinement of how they support their workforce, the release says.
In addition, Washington Fruit says it is exploring carbon-negative practices like the use of biochar. When trees must be removed from orchards, instead of burning, chipping or landfilling them, the company has begun converting them into biochar — a regenerative process that sequesters carbon and produces a soil amendment that can enhance composting and improve soil structure.
“This certification reinforces what we’ve believed for a long time: sustainability is not just good for the land, it’s a foundation for a stronger company culture and a healthier future,” Plath adds. “It empowers our teams to take pride in their role as stewards of the land and advocates for meaningful change in agriculture.”
Sean Gilbert, owner of Gilbert Orchards, emphasizes that the certification reflects both their history and future direction.
“Our family has been farming organically since the 1980s,” Gilbert says. “When I learned about Regenerative Organic, I was inspired by how it looks at the farm as a holistic system — where healthy soil, thriving ecosystems and strong communities are all interconnected. It closely aligned with practices we were already implementing, but more importantly, it pointed us toward where I want our company to go next. It’s about doing the right thing, not just for our crops, but for our people and our environment.”
Both companies are committed to communicating their sustainability practices directly to customers and industry partners. Through long-standing relationships, open dialogue, and shared values, Washington Fruit Growers and Gilbert Orchards are working to highlight the importance of regenerative organic farming in the broader food system, the release says.
“We see this certification as a tool for building trust and transparency with our customers,” Gilbert says. “It helps us demonstrate that our farming practices are rooted in responsibility and long-term thinking, and it supports deeper conversations about how we grow food and take care of the people and places that make it possible.”
According to the release, this achievement positions Washington Fruit Growers and Gilbert Orchards at the forefront of the regenerative agriculture movement and among the first in Washington’s fruit industry to adopt this forward-thinking standard.
To learn more, visit Washington Fruit Growers at the Organic Produce Summit, Booth No. 238.