A Tribute To Apples — The All-American Fruit — And Those That Grow Them
July 25, 2023 One thing I’ve always liked about the apple industry is how it spans so much of our great country. All fruit and nut crops need at least a semi-hospitable climate and at least halfway decent soil — that’s why you don’t see many fruits being grown in Northern Alaska or Death Valley — and most have more specific requirements.
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For instance, some of the crops we cover are only grown in a Mediterranean climate, which is only found in the U.S. in California. Still others require chilling, but don’t like winters that are too cold, like stone fruits. But apples are farmed all over the country. I was reminded of that again recently in reviewing the nominations for American Fruit GrowerSM Apple Grower of the Year award, sponsored by Valent USA. A total of 21 states were represented among the nominees this year. We’d like to congratulate our three regional winners.
The overall winner will be revealed in the August issue of American Fruit Grower. A couple years ago, a colleague asked me why we had never printed the names of the folks who have been nominated. He thought people might enjoy seeing it. I frankly had never thought of it before, but it makes perfect sense, so we’re going to do it again this year.
The award recognizes apple growers who have reached outstanding levels of success through their efforts in innovative production, marketing, horticultural, and management practices. Winners demonstrate commitment and leadership to their field by producing high-quality fruit, being actively involved in associations, and taking a strong role in shaping the direction of the apple industry. Without further ado, here are this year’s nominees, each listed once, although some were nominated multiple times, as indicated by a numeral in parentheses next to their names.
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- Byron Albano, Cuyama Orchards, Arvin, CA
- Harold Albinder, Hudson River Fruit Dist., Milton, NY
- Travis Allan, Allan Brothers Fruit, Naches, WA
- Derek Allred, Royal Family Farming, Royal City, WA
- Gregg Bachman, Bachman Sunny Hill Fruit Farm, Carroll, OH
- Gil and Sandie Barden (2), Barden Family Orchards, North Scituate, RI
- William Kenneth (Kenny) Barnwell, Kenny Barnwell Orchard, Edneyville, NC
- Chris Baugher, Adams County Nursery, Aspers, PA
- Lynnell Brandt (2), Brandt’s Fruit Trees, Yakima, WA
- Rick Camp, Camp’s Orchard, Roseville, IL
- Steve Chinchiolo, River Bend Orchards, Ripon, CA
- Mark and Sue Christopher, Maple Leaf Orchard, Spring Valley, WI
- Steven Clarke, Prospect Hill Orchards, Milton, NY
- Joy Cline, Bear Mountain Orchards, Aspers, PA
- Glenn and Karen Cook (2), Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury, MA
- Jeffrey, Joy, and Joel Crist and Jenny Crist Kohn, Crist Brothers Orchards, Walden, NY
- Jim Divis, Honeybear Growers, Brewster, WA
- David, Peter, John, and Jill Douglas, Douglas Fruit, Pasco, WA
- Mason Forrence, Forrence Orchards, Peru, NY
- Steven and Henry Frecon, Frecon Farms, Boyertown, PA
- Cass and Mac Gebbers, Gebbers Farms, Brewster, WA
- Patrick Goodfellow, PG Orchards, Sparta, MI
- Randy Graham, Curtis Orchard, Champaign, IL
- Tim Hileman and Suzanne Boyce, Kistaco Farm, Apollo, PA
- Bobby and Sara Hricko, Green’s Fruit Farm, Elysburg, PA
- AJ Huber, Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards, Borden, IN
- Ralph Hugus, Hugus Fruit Farm, Rushville, OH
- Steven Jackson, Jackson Country Orchard, Rolla, MO
- William (Bill) Jackson, Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery, Bowling Green, KY
- Charlie Johnson, Whistling Wel Farml, Hastings, MN
- Robert (Bob) Karr, The Orchard, Emporia, KS
- Thomas Kercher, Kercher’s Sunrise Orchards, Goshen, IN
- Greg Kugel, Kugel Farms, Berrien Springs, MI
- David Landis and Anita Azarenko, La Mancha Ranch & Orchard, Sweet Home, OR
- Gary S. Long, Long Ranch, Naches, WA
- Manuel Martinez, The New Royal Bluff Orchards, Royal City, WA
- Mark Mathis (5), Rite Bite Farms, Mesa, WA
- Tim Mercier, Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, GA
- Marilyn and Steven Meyerhans, The Apple Farm, Fairfield, ME
- Dwight Mickey, Shatzer Fruit Market, Chambersburg, PA
- Stephen Mudgett, Deershorn Farm, Lancaster, MA
- Steve Nunley, Price Cold Storage, Yakima, WA
- David Peters, Peters Orchards, Gardners, PA
- Christopher Pia, Breeze Hill Farm & Preserve, Peconic, NY
- Joe and Paula Polseno, Pippin Orchard, Cranston, RI
- Sam Prevedelli, Prevedelli Farms, Corralitos, CA
- Paul Rasch, Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, Iowa City, IA
- Tom Rasch, Tom Rasch & Son Orchards, Belding, MI
- Mike Reny, Biscay Orchards, Damariscotta, ME
- Ed Robinette, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, Grand Rapids, MI
- Marty Robinson, Honeybear Growers, Brewster, WA
- Peter Russell, Russell Farms, Appleton, NY
- Lawrence Sambado (3), Prima Frutta Packing, Linden, CA
- Bob Sewall, Sewall Organic Orchard, Lincolnville, ME
- Roy Smit (2)l D and R Family Farms, Lodi, CA
- Tim Smith. Apex Orchards, Shelburne, MA
- Scott Swindeman. Applewood Orchards, Deerfield, MI
- Allen Teach, Sunrise Orchards, Gays Mills, WI
- Eddie Velarde, Rancho De Santa Fe, Velarde Orchards and Fruit Basket, Velarde, NM
- Tim Welsh (12), Columbia Fruit Packers, Wenatchee, WA
- Ty Williams. Williams Orchards, Cedaredge, CO
- Steve and Jeff Wood. Wood Orchard Market, Sturgeon Bay, WI
To all of those nominated, congratulations. We would especially like to thank our nominators, many of whom are past winners of the Apple Grower of the Year award.
Scan the photo gallery above for a rundown of Apple Grower of the Year winners from 1989 to present.
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