Participation in the cider orchard cooperative site is open to anyone interested in conservation of the biodiversity of cider apple orchards and the associated culture of cider production. Participants who are collecting information for distribution through this site are asked to use the following standards or to report if information has been collected using different practices.
1. Follow a high code of honor recognizing that respect for people and traditions is of great importance. We hope to be able to honor and respect the orchard managers and cider makers who have been contributing information to this project by presenting it as accurately as possible. It is important not to ask for secret/private information since the purpose of this project is to openly share knowledge. This fact must be very clear.
2. Apply a standard information collection protocol (observation method). Although each orchard is unique and each person's experiences are different, the advantages of being able to compare information between locations make it worth while to try to be as consistent as possible when making observations and reporting what has been learned. HOWEVER, protocol methods are not set in stone and each person should look for ways to improve the system that is being used and make recommendations as soon as possible so that others may have the opportunity to use improved protocol.
3. Work collaboratively with other members of the network, sharing information as it is learned. Do not be a data-hoarder. Data that is posted within this site as newly reported will be labeled with the name of the person reporting it who will then have two years to exclusively publish it before it enters the public domain of the cooperative.
4. Publish data that is learned as soon as it is reasonably possible. This cooperative encourages peer-reviewed publication of content so that the results receive the highest level of critique and recognition in order to improve the overall quality of work being generated by the entire cooperative.
5. Generate individual and group research grant proposals for work on cider orchards and related subjects. Each proposal that is submitted and funded helps all of us.