Final season for Homefront Acres apple orchard after 26 years in business

After 26 years in business, Gail and Roger Farrell are closing Homefront Acres, the apple orchard on Highway 21, south of Pine River.

"We want to travel and spend time with our grandchildren," said Gail, after helping a customer with her order. "You're really tied to the orchard from April through to December."

The Farrells began their business in 1990 when they planted four acres of apple trees. Two years later, they branched out into retail, selling apples at the end of the driveway. And the following year, they opened the retail store located north of the driveway. In 1994, they added a cold storage unit to keep the apples fresh

"In 1992, we picked 65 bushes of apples," said Gail. "Now, we average 2,000 bushes per season. We started with 1,000 trees and we have about 1,200 now. Half the orchard consists of the original trees which are reaching the end of their useful life. We started with nine different kinds of apples, and now we have 18."

She said they tried other commodities, such as pumpkins and squash, but decided to stick with the apples. "Choose one thing and do it really well."

They have experienced some interesting weather over the years, losing trees to hail twice and to frost once.

But now, the orchard has run its course, said Gail. "People don't realize the work that goes into this, from clearing the orchard and pruning the trees in the spring, through harvesting the apples and selling them right to the end of December. And some of it's heavy work."

By the same token, it has been a wonderful business, she added. "The community has been supportive of Homefront Acres, and I know it's going to be missed, which is why we didn't close a few years ago."

They have contracted out some of the field work; they have two employees in the store, and part-time apple-pickers in the fall. "We have great employees," said Gail. "They are very dedicated and loyal and we're going to miss them."

Homefront Acres will remain open until late November or early December, or until the apples sell-out, said Gail. The apple orchard will then be removed and the property returned to farmland. The Farrells will keep some apple trees for their own use.

So, what do they plan to do once they retire?

"I'm going to do whatever I want," said Roger. "I'm going skiing, camping and biking, for starters."

Gail said she has always wanted to go camping in the spring and the fall, and they enjoy helping out with their grandchildren; the fifth grandchild is due in December.

"The business has been a lot of fun," she said, "but it's time to retire. We're going to miss our loyal customers the most."