SweeTango’s success hinges on growers from New York to Washington, from Nova Scotia to Quebec, all committed to a common goal: producing a superior apple.
Next Big Thing, A Growers’ Cooperative, ensures that SweeTango apples are only produced by licensed growers using the highest quality sites and growing practices.
Growing in seven different regions while meeting the high standards we’ve set for the SweeTango isn’t easy, so we have the utmost respect for our growers, the work they do and the people they are.
Each of our growers has their own unique story and reason for growing the perfect SweeTango. And for our sake and yours, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Next Big Thing was formed in 2006 after Pepin Heights Orchard, Inc. received a license from the University of Minnesota to market the Minneiska cultivar.
Growers
Check out the stories behind the great orchards producing SweeTango.
Scotian Gold Co0perative Limited Stevenson Orchards Inc Stevenson Orchard owns and operates a retail store that runs from September to December and sells apples, apple cider and maple syrup.Canada
Coldbrook, Nova Scotia
For nearly 100 years, Scotian Gold has been a leader and innovator in the tree fruit industry, specializing in superior apple production. Scotian Gold is a producer-owned apple cooperative of 55 growers with more than 2,500 acres of apple orchards throughout the fertile Annapolis Valley, the agricultural center of Nova Scotia. Scotian Gold member growers include Barteaux Farms, Spurr Brothers Family Farm, Wohlgemuth Farms, Nazinga Farms, R&J Farms, Hillside Orchards, Kimberlee Farms, Birchleigh Farms, Apples & Spice Farm, David Chute Farm, Lutz Family Farm, Apple Lane Farm, Orchard View Farms, Lacelyn Farm, Killam Orchards, Applewood Farm, Ravenswood Farm, Pomona Farms, Lavender Cottage Farm, Eisses Family Farm, Canan Orchards, Sarsfield Farms, Embree Family Farm, and Fuller Brothers Farm. Scotian Gold website.
Franklin Centre, Quebec
Stevenson Orchards, Inc. is a 100-acre orchard that has been in operation for 106 years and now has their sixth generation of family running the farm. Stevenson Orcards grows such apple varieties as: Macintosh, Empire, Cortland, Russet, Honeycrisp, Spartan, Anbrosia, Jersey Mac, Paulared, Gingergold, Golden Delicious, Lobo, Zestar, Idared and SweeTango.
Chazy Orchards Inc In July 2010, Chazy Orchards was purchased by the Giroux family, a local family who made their mark in grain and egg production farming. The Giroux’s plan on following the progressive path of the previous owners and take the orchard into the future. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the orchard embraced Honeycrisp as a new variety for the future. This would complement their McIntosh production, for which they are renowned. Honeycrisp proved to be very successful and established Chazy Orchards as a premier supplier of Honeycrisp. With the advent of SweeTango, Chazy Orchards saw another opportunity to add a premier variety. We feel the SweeTango has the flavor and grower friendliness to even surpass Honeycrisp. Cherry Lawn Farms The original farmstead was 134 acres and has grown to its current size of 550 acres. Cherry Lawn Farms is in its fourth generation of operation growing more than 20 varieties of apples, four varieties of peaches and tart cherries. Our farm is a partnership that consists of Ron, Todd and Ted Furber. We are enthused to be growing some of the newer varieties of apples like Honeycrisp, Zestar! and especially Sweetango. Donald DeMarree Fruit Farm, Inc. Fowler Bros., Inc. Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards, Inc. Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards predicts SweeTango will have a very large positive impact on their business as well as the produce industry as a whole. Of all the apples they’ve grown they see the greatest potential in SweeTango. In 2009, Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards sampled and sold SweeTango at their retail store and 90% of those who sampled SweeTango purchased at least a bag and shortly returned to purchase more. They hope to have enough apples to meet the high demand better than last year. KC Bailey Fruit Farms KC Bailey Orchards predicts the SweeTango revolution will provide a winning scenario for both consumers and growers. Consumers will enjoy SweeTango apples anywhere in the country and the growers will enjoy marketing a superior product in high demand. Lamont Fruit Farm, Inc. Lamont Fruit Farm currently operates 475 acres of apples with 27 different varieties. Tree densities vary from 200 trees per acre in our oldest blocks planted in the 1970’s to 2,000 trees per acre on 110 acres planted since 2002. SweeTango will play a key role in the future of Lamont Fruit Farm’s profitability. Rod and George believe it is a tremendous apple that has been very well received by all who have been lucky enough to have tried it. LynOaken Farms, Inc. Our philosophy, as stewards of our history and the environment, guides us to deliver the best Mother Nature and the Oakes family has to offer. By providing unwaxed, hand-packed apples through our retail outlets as well as flash-pasteurized orchard fresh cider made from our own hand-picked fruit, we continue that same stewardship direct to our customers. Mark Russell Orchard Dale Fruit Company, LLC Orchard Dale Fruit Company predicts SweeTango will take their company to a new level and make apple growers better as a whole. brownsberrypatch.com R. M. Zingler, Jr. Farms R.M. Zingler Jr. Farms believes the quality of the eating experience of the SweeTango apple is far and above that of any apple, or, for that matter, any other piece of fruit and predicts it will far exceed the excitement built up about it in the food business. In 2009 R.M. Zingler Farms sold SweeTango apples directly to consumers and experienced unbelievably positive responses. They reported they hardly sold any other brand while they had SweeTango on hand. Russell Farms, Inc. Sandy Knoll Farms, Inc. Van De Walle Fruit Farm, LLC The farm has grown over the years with the purchase of additional land to its current 600 acres, approximately 470 of which are dedicated to apple trees. The main varieties grown are Gala, Honeycrisp, Macs, Cameo, Fuji, Red Delicious and SweeTango. An apple-packing house, Wayne County Fruit Sales, was added in 1991 allowing them to pack their own apples, plus those of neighboring growers. The Wayne County Fruit Sales facility, under the management of Marshall, has also grown over the years and is currently undergoing an extensive expansion. All in all, the apple industry has proven to be a gratifying occupation for the VanDeWalles. East
NEW YORK
Chazy, N.Y.
Chazy Orchards was established in the late 1920s by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. The railroad wanted a commodity to haul between Montreal and New York City. In the late 1930s, the orchard fell under the management and eventual ownership of the Green family.
Sodus, N.Y.
Our farm was founded in 1922 by Neil Furber. At that time, the front yard of the farmstead was filled with cherry trees, hence the farm was named Cherry Lawn Farms. In its early years, some of the farm’s enterprises included a dairy operation and a sand washing business. The latter furnished sand that was used in the cement that built some of the local roads.
Williamson, N.Y.
Wolcott, N.Y.
Fowler Farms’ roots date back several generations. John and Bob Fowler are fifth generation growers, and while the original homestead still remains in production, the operation has grown to manage more than 2,500 acres of fruit. Its main emphasis is on apple production, and SweeTango® apples are its newest variety.The business of growing at Fowler Farms encompasses more than just trees. As a several time winner of the New York State Grand Champion packing award from the NY Department of Agriculture, Fowler Farms has learned that its employees are what make it possible for the operation to continue to grow and improve.
Crown Point, N.Y.
Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards has been in operation since 1826 and is into their sixth generation of family on the farm. They own and operate a 165-acre farm on the edge of the Adirondack Mountains and shores of Lake Champlain. The rich soils result in very high-quality fruit. The two main varieties of apples grown on Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards are Macintosh and Empire. They also grow Courland, Paula Red, Spartan, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Fuji, Jonna Mac, Gala, Spenser, Jonna Gold, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macoun and SweeTango. This year Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards are adding raspberries and strawberries under high tunnels.
Williamson, NY 14589
Founded in 1984, KC Bailey Orchards consists of 150 bearing apple trees, and 20 of non-bearing apple trees. KC Bailey Orchards currently grows more than 25 varieties of apples, most of which are sold at wholesale fresh markets. The orchard’s planting systems include Tall Spindle and Vertical Axe. KC Bailey Orcards, Inc. is a vertically integrated operation, which includes 95,000 bushels of on-farm cold storage. KC Bailey Orchards is powered by wind turbines, which provide clean energy for the entire farm.
Waterport, N.Y.
The operating company, Lamont Fruit Farm was Incorporated in 1966 by brother’s George and Roger Lamont who were the sixth generation of their family farming in Albion NY. The company is now owned and operated by Rod and Karyn Farrow. George and Rod are partners in the new home farm Stillwater Orchards where all the SweeTango’s are grown.
Lyndonville, N.Y.
The apple growing tradition of the Oakes family and LynOaken Farms dates back to 1918 when our grandfather purchased land in rural Orleans County in Western New York to grow the best apples possible. Growing up, our parents and grandparents taught us to learn from the past to build on our future. This principle guides us in every aspect of our orchard operations and has helped us continue to grow apples recognized as world-class in quality.
Rochester, N.Y.
Waterport, N.Y.
Founded in 1804, Orchard Dale Fruit Company is a two hundred and six year old family orchard. Now in their seventh generation of family on the farm Dale Fruit Company farms over 240 acres of fruit, apple trees occupy 200 acres.
Kendall, N.Y.
R.M. Zingler Jr. Farms is a 350 acre farm that grows apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, donut peaches, sweet cherries, pears, strawberries and raspberries. The majority of the farm is apples which consists of 26 different varieties and 15 acres of the orchard is designated for SweeTango apples. R.M Zingler Jr. Farms sells their fruit through the Lake Orlando Fruit Company and at local farmer’s markets.
Appleton, N.Y.
Lyndonville, N.Y.
Williamson, N.Y.
VanDeWalle Fruit Farm was established in 1983 upon the purchase of a fruit farm in Alton, NY, consisting of 155 acres. A partnership was formed between Scott VanDeWalle, manager; Marshall VanDeWalle; and their parents, Kenneth and Donna VanDeWalle.
By 1958, Walter’s son, Bernie, took over the orchard, and after years of steady growth, they built one of the first Controlled Atmosphere ( C.A. ) rooms in the United States. As the years went on, they kept building more C.A. storage’s and taking on outside growers so they could keep up with the demand from their customers including several major grocery chains. Applewood Orchards incorporated in 1963, and in the mid-1970′s, Bernie’s three sons got involved in running the family business. Today, the three sons run the business, which includes more than 450 acres of apples and plans for continued expansion. Bakker’s Acres Al was (and still is) a partner with neighboring Cherry Bay Orchards, whose primary business was in apples and cherries. Located in prime cherry-growing country, Al soon discovered he was paradoxically drawn to the challenges presented by growing apple trees. Like a chef forever tinkering toward a perfect recipe, he appreciated the deft horticultural touch required to produce a desirable crop of apples. Bakker’s Acres interest in SweeTango came directly from experience with one of its parents, HoneyCrisp. While selling their fruit at local farmers markets, Al and Lynn were impressed with the passion high quality apples inspired in their customers. In turn, that inspired Al and Lynn to seek out more varieties that could garner such powerful consumer responses. One bite of a SweeTango apple told them they’d found their match! Brandel Farms, LLC In 1996 Brandel Farms planted Honeycrisp as their first fresh apple variety. This started the transition from processed fruits to the more rewarding and exciting fresh apple varieties, including SweeTango. Brandel Farms is a third generation family farm, currently owned by grandson Tony Eisenlohr. Centenial Farms, LLC Cherry Bay Orchards, Inc. Evans Brothers Fruit Company High Acres Fruit Farm & Centennial Farms High Acres Fruit Farm now operates on 2,500 acres raising several different fruits, vegetables, and row crops including apples, plums, cherries, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, peppers, tomatoes, corn, soybeans, and wheat. The Meachum’s are progressive leaders and innovators in the agricultural industry. They own and operate Paw Paw River Produce – a cold storage and warehousing facility. In 2005, the farm launched the Spencer tomato brand label. This label has now become recognized throughout the Midwest and East Coast as a premium product. In 2006, they were awarded the Michigan Farm Bureau Farm Stewardship Award. In 2007, The Michigan Vegetable Council presented the farming operation with the Master Farmer Award. High Acres Fruit Farm is truly an outstanding family farming operation. They are proud to be an American farm family that works hard to put wholesome food on the tables of our nation and world. Interwater Farms Inc. Vern White began his Williamsburg, Michigan farm in 1921 by raising horses and cattle. It wasn’t until his son, Jack, and Jack’s wife, Barbara, took over that the farm’s primary focus became growing apples and cherries. The farm came to be known as Interwater Farms during an expansion in the early 1980’s when the family purchased a neighboring farm. During inspection of an old barn, they found a weathered sign that read “Interwater Farms.” Since surrounding farms all seemed to be named after the area’s dominant cherry business, they appreciated the random creativity and adopted it as their own. Today, 400 acres of apples, cherries and peaches are operated by Jack and Barbara, as well as their four sons; David, Doug, Bill, and John. Like most fruit growers, the family has always sold some of their crop to passers-by in a small fruit stand on the road leading to the farm. It was looked upon as, “something for the grandkids to do”. But the marketing operation grew as David’s daughter came in one day to announce, “Dad, there are too many of us out there!” Now, the White family takes apples, cherries, and peaches to farm markets all around Grand Traverse Bay. Interwater Farms was an early adopter of the HoneyCrisp apple. Growing SweeTango apples allows the family to continue their commitment to providing high culinary-quality fruit to consumers while operating a sustainable business that can be passed on to future generations. Lentz Farms, Inc. Rennhack Orchards, LLC Rennhack Orchards is a diversified farm that farms approximately 140 acres. They have 60 acres of apples consisting of: SweeTango, Honeycrisp, Jonagold and other miscellaneous varieties; 30 acres of tart cherries, 15 acres of sweet cherries, six acres of peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots; 20 acres of sweet corn, and six acres of tomatoes and pumpkins. Rennhack Orchards operates Rennhack Orchards Market, which is just around the corner from the family farm. They started selling sweet cherries at their little roadside market in 1984. Over the years, they included more fruits, vegetables, local jams, honey, and maple syrup. In 2006, they built a larger scale facility and brought the next generation of family on board. Rennhack Orchards Market features their own produce, including Honeycrisp and SweeTango® apples. They have fresh local produce in season, from A (asparagus) to Z (zucchini). They also carry an enormous selection of Michigan-made products. Ronald Rasch Farms, LLC Stan Peterson Fruit Tree Sales & Farms Stan predicted the success of the Honeycrisp long before it was commercially grown in Michigan. He believes Sweetango will far exceed the Honeycrisp and if everything goes as planned it will be the key to his retirement. Stan says if the apple doesn’t pan out, his wife has the divorce papers drawn up. Summit Farms It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the family really began to focus primarily on growing fruit trees. As the operation grew, it became more vertically integrated. In 1982, Ken Hubert, Herman’s great-grandson, took over the business and the family became involved in not only growing fruit, but also packing, storing and delivering the apples. Today the family farms over 700 acres, owns a large cold storage operation (where the apples rest until they’re ready to ship), is involved in the packing and processing of apples and even has a hand in the trucking business. Ken’s son, Victor, helps him with the farm today, and his grandson, Randy, is ready to begin his career as a Michigan apple grower. This, coupled with Ken’s declaration, “I still like to plant trees!” would seem to guarantee that the Hubert family will be farming in central Michigan for years to come. Tom Rasch & Son Orchards, LLC Beyond the farm’s current rootstocks (MARK, M9, M106, and Bud 9), a number of new plantings have been established to keep up with demand for new varieties, including SweeTango. Rasch & Sons’ land also features a variety testing orchard with 2 to 3 trees of over 80 different varieties. Van Agtmael Orchards, Inc Joe’s grandson, Mike runs the farm today and transitioned the family into tree fruit as a way to take advantage of excellent growing sites and shifting markets. Mike’s education in the apple business was one of extremes, as he first planted Northern Spy, the consummate pie apple, and HoneyCrisp, the world’s most popular apple for fresh eating. Growing HoneyCrisp also taught Mike that putting extra effort into growing difficult but great tasting fruit was not only rewarding financially, but also an opportunity to see his hard work pay off in the faces of satisfied consumers. That harmonious balance of challenge and reward is what drew the family to join NBT: A Grower’s Cooperative, as well as help in the growing and marketing of SweeTango brand apples. Working together with others in his industry has always been an important part of Mike’s career. He served on the Michigan Cherry Committee for three terms, one as Chairman. Mike has also served on the Cherry Marketing Institute Board, as well as his local school and fire boards. His shared desire for collaboration is what most impressed Mike in his dealings with NBT Co-op, and the reason he plans on working with the group for years to come. Wittenbach Orchards Wittenbach Orchards is excited about Sweetango because it is a quality piece of fruit and has had only positive consumer feedback. MINNESOTA Fruit Acres has 200 acres to “work with” and at any one time usually 150 acres are in production. Fruit Acres are strictly a wholesale operation with most of their marketing done in state. Fruit Acres specializes in all the Minnesota varieties such as Haralson, Fireside and Honeycrisp and also grow a fair volume of McIntosh and Cortland. Ralph’ Yates’ father, Gordon, became familiar with classified rootstocks while growing apples in Denmark and England and after arriving in Minnesota in 1953 participated in their introduction into the United States. Fruit Acres prides themselves on keeping things fairly simple with a staked tree trained to a central leader and currently prefer to work with the 26 and Bud-9 rootstocks. Pepin Heights Orchard, Inc. Our goal is to grow apples that are fresh, crisp and delicious. With state-of-the-art facilities, our apples are sorted, packed and stored in optimal conditions. So whether you shop our Lake City store or your local supermarket, Pepin Heights apples ensure you’ll enjoy that distinctive, just-picked flavor. Pepin Heights Orchard received a license to commercialize Minneiska (Honeycrisp® x Zestar!), which was later named SweeTango, a cultivar discovered by the University of Minnesota apple breeding program, from the University of Minnesota Patent and Technology Licensing office in December 2005. Next Big Thing, a Growers Cooperative (NBT), was formed July 31, 2006, and a license granting NBT the right to grow and market Minneiska in North America was received from Pepin Heights upon formation of the Cooperative. Pine Tree Apple Orchard, Inc. In 1950, Art and his wife, Dickie, moved to the orchard and purchased it in 1958. Since that time, they have made growing apples the center of their lives. Today, all six of the Jacobson’s children (and even a few grandchildren) are actively involved in growing and marketing apples. As the family has grown, so has their orchard. The plot of land – a mere 25 acres – has grown to more than 300 hundred acres. SweeTango apples joins the crop of strawberries, pumpkins and other apple varieties that have grown there for so many years. WISCONSIN Wood Orchard believes that SweeTango will be the exciting apple variety for this decade, much like Honeycrisp was for the last 10 years. Having both Honeycrisp and SweeTango apples grown in their orchards, Wood Orchard will grows great tasting apples for their customers for years to come. Wood Orchard has had limited amounts of SweeTango Apples to sell and sample for the past 3 years. Since the first year of tasting, they have people who can’t wait for “SweeTango Season”. Customers in their market want to know the condition of our apple crop throughout the growing season, and some even start asking for SweeTango apples in July.Central
MICHIGAN
Applewood Orchards, Inc.
Deerfield, Mich.
Walter E. Swindeman, Sr. planted his first apple trees in what would become Applewood Orchards in the fall of 1935.
Suttons Bay, Mich.
Al Bakker and his wife, Lynn, purchased the land that would become Bakker’s Acres in 1989. The 70 acre parcel was planted with hay, corn and oats, but Al’s experience and interests led him to plant fruit trees.
Hart, Mich.
Brandel Farms was established in the mid 1940’s when Herb and Ruth Brandel purchased a 40 acre farm in Hart, Michigan. They grew a wide variety of crops including fruit, vegetables and grains, as well as Christmas trees and raised livestock. By the 1970’s, with the help of their son Richard and his wife Janet, they began to focus on tart cherries, apples and Christmas trees.
Hartford, Mich.
Suttons Bay, Mich.
Cherry Bay Orchards grows 400 acres of apples on its farm in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Located on Lake Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula, the farm also consists of 200 acres of sweet cherries and 800 acres of tart cherries. Don Gregory and his brother Bob started the own fruit operation in 1972 and has received the USDA Good Agricultural Practices certification.
Frankfort, Mich.
Hartford, Mich.
High Acres Fruit Farm and Centennial Farms, LLC had its beginnings in 1943 when Glenn and Catherine Meachum purchased 80 acres in Hartford Township in southwestern Van Buren County to raise peaches and cherries. Since then, Douglas and Bonney Meachum along with their three sons and families, Trever and Jennifer: Jason, Nicole and Spencer; and Ryan, Rachel, Grace, Zachary, and Grant; have expanded and diversified their farm.
Williamsburg, Mich.
The land of Interwater Farms did not begin as an orchard, nor was it always known as Interwater Farms.
Honor, Mich.
Hart, Mich.
Rennhack Orchards is located in beautiful Ocana County on the west side of the Lower Peninsula in Michigan. Rennhack Orchards is a third generation family farm and are currently bringing in their fourth generation and plan to keep the farm in the family for many more generations.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Ludington, Mich.
Stan Peterson Orchard is a fourth generation orchard that was started in 1877. Stan Peterson Orchard is a 20-acre orchard located just two miles from Lake Michigan. Stan grows SweeTango, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Goldens and Courtlands. Stan hopes to sell some of his SweeTango crop at a nearby farmers market because he loves introducing the unique qualities of the apple. He believes each apple is a unique eating experience.
Kent City, Mich.
The Hubert family has been farming in central Michigan since the late 1800’s. The original parcel, in Kent City, was 80 acres. That quickly grew to over 200 acres and, as was customary for the time, the farm had a bit of everything. Herman Hubert grew peaches and apples, raised cattle and sold milk; he farmed.
Greenville, Mich.
Tom Rasch & Sons Orchard consists of approximately 170 planted acres of apples employing a variety of training systems, such as double row free-standing and a modified axe system with multi-wire and single wire trellis systems. Located in Greenville, Mich., Tom Rasch & Sons Orchard is considered one of the top apple growers in Michigan.
Hart, Mich.
The Van Agtmael family has been proudly farming in Hart, Michigan for one hundred years. Begun by Joe Van Agtmael as 60 acres of cattle, potatoes and asparagus, the farm today is 600 acres of cherries and apples and, the lone holdover, asparagus.
Belding, Mich.
Wittenbach Orchards is a fourth generation family farm that farms over 220 acres of apples. All trees are planted at medium densities and are supported by trellis systems and tree stakes. Thirteen varieties of apples are produced including Honeycrisp and Sweetango. One hundred perdent of the apples grown are produced for the fresh market. Witenbach Orchards is a wholesale operation and the majority of the fruit is sold by a local packing house and sales agency. They also supply three independently owned farm markets.
Fruit Acres, Inc.
La Crescent, Minn.
Fruit Acres’ orchard was first planted in 1910 and has been under continuous operation since. Since mid-century the same two families have been involved in the ownership and management of the orchard. Manager Ralph Yates is a third generation apple grower and is assisted by his son Christopher (fourth generation).
Lake City, Minn.
Owner Dennis Courtier’s parents first planted this land to apples in 1949. An excellent site and careful management have allowed the Courtiers and the rest of the Pepin Heights family to produce high quality fruit for more than 60 years, placing them among the top apple orchards in Minnesota. Over the years, the orchard’s reputation for producing excellent fruit has grown, and so has our business – we now ship apples all over the country.
White Bear Lake, Minn.
The first apple trees were planted on the shores of Pine Tree Lake in 1904. More than 100 years later, that orchard, now known as Pine Tree Orchard, is owned by Art Jacobson, a city boy from St. Paul, who dreamed of growing apples and living on the land.
Wood Orchard, LLC
Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.
Founded in 1955 Wood Orchard is now operated by the second and third generations of their family. Wood Orchard has about 200 acres of land in Door County, 125 acres consists of apples, sweet cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. McIntosh and Cortland apples have been Wood Orchard’s main varieties for many years. Recently Honeycrisp and now SweeTango apples are the new varieties that we are growing and selling strong in their markets.
Bob Mathison Orchard, Inc. & Chief Bob, LLC. Foreman Fruit & Land Company, LLC Dale’s son got married in the fall of 2009 and at the wedding and the all attendees received a SweeTango apple as well as other gifts. The Foreman family received amazing feedback from the wedding guests about the apple. Dale predicts SweeTango will be the most popular variety in his orchard. He also says it is the best apple he’s ever eaten. Highway 28 Orchard, LLC KMO, Inc The 2nd location is in Chile an hour south of Santiago on the east side of the Central Valley at the Base of the Andes, with the Costal Range to the west. The farm is nestled in the narrow part of the valley between these to mountain ranges. The cool mountain air drains down from these two mountain ranges to fill the valley with cold mountain air at night along with the warm days. This makes for very firm and sweet fruits. The 3rd location is Bakersfield California where the climate is hot and hostile with day temperatures go over 110 in the day and may cool down to 90 at night. The tree suffer from the hot summer time heat and are like abused children. This along with the fact the water and ground is very salty it is hard to get for the tree to take up the needed water. This is were the first early cherries are harvested in the world. The 4th location is Othello Washington where the it is located in the Columbia Basin of Washington State. The Elevation is 1200-1400’ . The climate is suitable for growing large size apples at low cost with federal funned irrigation project and low land cost. Sagemoor Farms L.L.P. Today, the Sagemoor Group, which Sagemoor Farms is a part of, has more than 800 acres in production, supplying premium quality fruit to many of Washington’s most prominent wineries. A significant number of 1972 plantings are still producing highly acclaimed “old vines” Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Other varietals include Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and White Riesling. S.M. West Ltd. Stormy Mt. Ranch, Inc. Thomas K. Mathison Orchards, LLC Over the next three decades, the Mathison’s gradually expanded their farming operations. In 1947, Thomas “T.K.” Mathison returned home from World War II and began farming alongside his father, Chris. That same year, a tragic farming accident resulted in Chris’ passing and left young Tom in charge of the family orchards. Tom continued the traditions that his forefathers began and persevered through tough crop years in order to provide for his family. In 1964, he founded Stemilt Growers under the premise that consumers everywhere should have access to high-quality fruit. Over the next four decades, Tom pioneered better growing and packing techniques in order to transform the tree fruit business into the global player it is today. Fast-forward to today and Stemilt continues to be family-owned and operated under the guidance of the fourth and fifth generations of Mathison’s. Tom’s grandson, West Mathison, serves as company president. With the same pioneering spirit as his grandfather, West has been preparing the company for sustainable growth since becoming president in 2005. From investing in top-notch packing and storage equipment to bringing new fruit varieties to market, West continues to take steps to make Stemilt a stronger company in order to live out its mission – maximize long-term return to the land by building consumer demand. Triangle C Farms, Inc. Wyckoff Farms, Inc. Wyckoff Farms is a leading grower of SweeTango apples and also has a strong presence in the berry industry, offering wholesale products of various forms for the industrial and ingredient consumer. Wyckoff Farms operates a state-of-the-art fruit packing facility that is able to package IQF (Individually Quick Frozen), straight pack, sieve and seedless, and fresh pack products among others. It utilizes advanced technology and new machinery including color sorters, sizers, cleaners, and inspection belts to ensure its product is of the highest quality possible.West
Wenatchee, Wash.
Bob Mathison Orchards has been a family orchard since 1890 and has been farmed by Bob since 1990. Mathison Orchards farms the following apples on 582 acres: Reds, Gala, Golden, Granny, Fuji, Piñata, Anjou, Bartlett, Bing, Van, Lappin, Skeena, Sweetheart. All fruit is delivered to Stemilt Growers Inc. and distributed to retail stores. Following 2009, which was an extremely bad year for Washington orchards, Bob sold his orchard to his son Aaron. Aaron now owns and operates Bob Mathison Orchards, Inc. Bob is married and is a proud father of three children. Bob says anyone he knows who has eaten SweeTango says it is the best apple they have ever eaten.
Wenatchee, Wash.
Foreman Fruit and Land Company, LLC farms over 1,200 acres of fruit. The 1,200 consists of 12 varieties of apples, 7 varieties of pears and 7 varieties of cherries.
Wenatchee, Wash.
Wenatchee, Wash.
Kyle & Jan Mathison are 4th generation apple & cherry growers, they live on the homestead on Stemilt Hill south of Wenatchee Washington, where the orchards were started in 1893. The family started, packing and selling there own, along with and the neighbors fruit in 1962. They name the family owned, packing shed & marketing company Stemilt Growers.
Kyle & Jan have 2 sons and a daughter Susan. The boys, West & Tate who have taken over the responsibilities of running the Shed and Sales leaving Kyle to focus on the growing of Stemilt World Famous Fruits.
The operation has 4 main locations: Wenatchee, WA; Bakersfield, CA; Othello, WA and Chile. The home place in Wenatchee, where the they farm on the, forest covered, east slopes of the Cascade Mountain with the large Columbia River running in front of there home. This fertile mountain valley where the fruit trees orchard are carves out of the forest is known for it late season cherries and long storing apples. The farm elevation goes from 1,000 to 3,200’ with the valley floor and Columbia River at 600’. The mountain streams feed the orchard with melted snow water until mid July when they begin pumping water from the river. It is truly a place one must experience in order to understand its natural beauty. Large portion of the farm is organic, and Kyle has 18 acre compost site where he practices his art making “Stemilt World Famous Compost” which is blended for each block of trees and feed to them every fall and summer.
Pasco, Wash.
Founded in 1968 through the vision of Alec Bayless, Sagemoor Vineyards was a pioneering effort that helped establish the Washington State wine industry. Its early vineyards are among the oldest large-scale plantings of vinifera grapes in the State.
Wanatchee, Wash.
Chelan, Wash.
Resting in the foothills of the Eastern Cascade Mountain Range, Stormy Mountain Ranch, Inc. provides the ideal growing environment for organic apples, pears and cherries. Stormy Mountain Ranch overlooks Lake Chelan in Chelan, Washington and has been in operation since 1962.
Wanatchee, Wash.
Stemilt’s company roots trace back to 1893, when the first generation of the Mathison family settled on Stemilt Hill overlooking the Columbia River and town of Wenatchee, WA. Recognizing that this region of high-elevation microclimates would be ideal for growing tree fruit, the family planted its first 10 acres of apples, pears, and cherries in 1914.
Chelan, Wash.
Grandview, Wash.
Wyckoff Farms, Inc. is a third generation, family-owned farming operation located in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington State. Focused on high quality production agriculture, Wyckoff Farms has consistently produced products of the highest caliber since 1950.
