Here are the 2023 Apple Grower of the Year Award Winners by Region
July 4, 2023 Who are the top apple growers? Industry peers know best. For more than three decades, the Apple Grower of the Year Award celebrates producers 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.
Each year, a multitude of nominations are received for consideration. Starting last year, American Fruit Grower recognized regional winners, along with the overall winner. For 2023, here are your Apple Grower of the Year regional winners.
East: Chris Baugher, Adams County Nursery
Editor’s Note: The Baugher family has long been associated with Adams County Nursery, and one key player, Chris Baugher, was chiefly nominated by Brad Hollabaugh, a Biglerville, PA grower. “I’m humbled and honored,” Baugher says, “especially to be nominated by someone like Brad.” Hollabaugh, who was Apple Grower of the Year himself in 2000, is the only grower to ever volunteer to write an article for American Fruit Grower, so it’s only fitting to quote exclusively from his nomination.
“I’ve known Chris Baugher nearly all of my life. He has worked at his family’s farm and nursery all of his life as well. Chris has been the Production Manager for their fruit farm for decades.
“Chris has been an innovator on his farm in many ways. He has applied his technical skills in modifications to sprayer equipment for superior coverage, adopted smart-spray technology on sprayers, and has been very innovative in adopting various production methods that are driven by research. And he hasn’t been shy about doing trials on his farm, especially in the production of ‘Honeycrisp’.
Chris has served on the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania’s board of directors and also served as president of the organization. He has proven to be a true leader in the Pennsylvania fruit industry.”
Midwest: William Jackson, Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery
William “Bill” Jackson has dedicated much of his life to promoting the apple growing industry in Kentucky. The owner of Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery in Bowling Green has influenced and, even at age 86, continues to counsel peers across the state, according to one such younger grower, Jeremy Hinton.
William “Bill” Jackson
Photo courtesy of Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery
“In addition to his innovation and quality production on his own orchard, the quality that most makes Bill deserving of this recognition is his contribution to the industry as a whole through his generous sharing of experience and advice,” Hinton says. “He has been a tremendous mentor for new growers in the industry.
“When I first started in the business 21 years ago, he was a regular call for me to get advice on production and marketing matters. He has always been encouraging to me and other growers starting in the business and is a resource for all growers in our area. I count Mr. Jackson as a major contributor to our family’s success in the orchard business and know many others in Kentucky who share that same sentiment.”
Growing up in southern Illinois in the shadow of many orchards, Jackson began his professional career selling chemicals to orchards across Illinois and Michigan. At each stop, he took note of the things he liked and would do himself should the day come when he had his own orchard. That dream became a reality when he and wife Shirley purchased what is now Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery in 1966. He began planting trees on the property in 1969 and continues to plant new trees today.
West: Tim Welsh, Columbia Fruit Packers
To say Tim Welsh, Horticulturist, Columbia Fruit Packers, Wenatchee, WA enjoys wide support for Apple Grower of the Year is putting it mildly. He was nominated by no fewer than four past winners — Maurice “Mo” Tougas, Phil Schwallier, Rod Farrow, and Bill Borton — and nominations even came in from growers in Italy and South Africa.
Tim Welsh
“Tim has always ‘gone the extra mile’ in hosting, giving feedback on any questions or queries, and sharing his production experiences with me,” writes Keith Bradley, General Manager, Agri Services. “His knowledge on all areas of fruit production, varieties, and the broader industry has been extremely beneficial to me, and our operations in South Africa. It is my opinion that Tim has not only been an exemplary ambassador to your industry but has also contributed internationally to the benefit of many apple growers across the globe.”
Welsh has been extremely active sharing information in his deep involvement in the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA), where he has served as director and president. “He is precise in his business, giving lots of thought to new technology and his employees,” writes Lisa Jenereaux, a Canadian grower who served with Welsh on the IFTA board. “He is an outstanding example of what someone in this industry should be.”
Columbia Fruit Packers Owner Mike Wade notes Welsh has developed numerous orchards from bare ground, and over the years Tim has become a common host on orchard tours. “Tim has an incredible work ethic, a strong desire to learn and share new ideas, and a passion for excellence,” he concludes.
Stay tuned as the overall 2023 Apple Grower of the Year Award winner will be announced in August. The winner will formally accept the award, sponsored by Valent USA, at the U.S. Apple Association’s annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference in Chicago.
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