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The Cider industry is a multi-faceted industry. Practices are not the same throughout the industry. Individualism and diversity are part of the cider heritage in the U.S. The following schematic attempts to represent the dynamic that must be considered in order to seek change in the industry.
Early Adapters
Early adapters are those that quickly use new technology. They tend to be the larger volume operators (but not always). After the virtual elimination of the wholesale market for raw cider, many were forced to become early adapters in order to retain or gain market access. This group makes up about 10% of the industry.
Acceptance of processing interventions for this group can be stated: "build it and they will come" and they may even help you build it.
Potential Progressives
This group is seeking information with which to make business decisions. It is the identified target of educational efforts. Members of this group are willing to attend workshops and training. And readily adapt technical information to fit their specific operation. The majority in the industry falls into this category.
Acceptance of interventions will require reliance an educational infrastructure. These folks need to be convinced and will approach new ideas with a little healthy skepticism. Unfortunately, the network for microbial issues is not in place like the network for pesticide issues; but it's getting there.
Traditionalists
This group consists of those who have not made significant progress toward viewing their operation as a food processing plant and still view cider as an agricultural commodity. Many traditionalists have gone out of business and more will as safe cider requirements become established. About 10-15 % of the industry may fall into this group.
Acceptance of interventions by traditionalists will require education, persuasion, regulation, and even enforcement.
