Back in 1981, Mike & Velma Downes began planting pear and apple trees on their property. It started out as a small hobby
for them, and a great way to get their kids, Brian & Emily, doing some chores and farm work. Over the years, they planted
varieties that sounded fun, tasty, or just plain interesting. The orchard eventually got to the point where there
were far more apples than the family could handle. So, they began to sell the apples on weekends to friends and neighbors
off of the picnic table. If you remember the picnic table, then you are truly one of our oldest customers! As the trees
grew, so did the orchard, and as Mike neared retirement a barn was erected with a cold storage room for keeping the fruit as
well as a place to store all of his tools and toys. Meanwhile, their daughter, Emily, and her husband, Mike, were coming
over most weekends to help out with the ever growing crowds.
In 2011, we're going to change things up a bit. Big Mike is
looking to truly retire, as the orchard is a lot of work. Emily and Mike Lazar are going to slowly start taking over the day-to-day
operations of the orchard, and Mike & Velma are going to help out during the season. Within the next few years, we hope to
essentially switch roles. Mike & Velma will be there every weekend to meet and greet old friends and customers, while leaving
the work such as pruning, thinning, & picking to the kids. We are looking forward to this year's season and are working
hard so that the apples are what you have come to expect from us! See you soon!
Mike, Emily, Noah, & Bailey