Indiana orchard owners struggle

By Ann Wegner
Staff Writer

There are about 8,000 apple varieties in existence, but unfortunately, the number of orchards is not as high.

In Indiana from 1992 to 1997, the number of operating orchards dropped from 685 to 496. The largest drop was in small orchards, according to the 1992-1997 Census of Agriculture in Indiana and Ralph Gann, state statistician with the Indiana Agriculture Statistics Service. Gann said that although 25 percent of the orchards have been lost, the number of acres has declined by only 9 percent, suggesting that most of the decrease is due to smaller orchards. Bigger drops were in the orchards that were one to five acres. The number of those orchards decreased from 388 to 282 over the same five-year period.

Dave Bigley owns an apple orchard in Culver, Ind., but is preparing to bulldoze his fields, as well as his plans to help his children run the orchard after he retires.

Bigley has been selling apples at a roadside stand since 1958, but believes that the global marketing of apples has made the competition tougher for small orchards like his.

Those with small, family-owned orchards are feeling pressure as the number of orchards continues to lessen, but not everyone believes that there is trouble.

Peter Hirst, assistant professor of horticulture at Purdue and extension pomologist for Indiana, does not believe that the number of Indiana orchards has decreased significantly.

"The industry's a bit different than in (nearby apple-growing states)," he said. "In Michigan their growers sell to wholesalers. In Indiana most of our growers are retail growers; they sell directly to consumers (at farm markets) and for us here in Indiana that's really where it's at to make money."

Hirst offers his time and expertise to keep apple growers up to date on new techniques so that they have a better chance in the global market. "I travel around the state visiting farms, giving talks to groups of apple, peach and pear farmers; I help them improve their operations, (teach them about) new techniques, new root stocks, new varieties and new government regulations that they need to be aware of and take into account."

Preserving the orchards in Indiana is also important for maintaining family heritage.

"It preserves a lifestyle and it also provides a valuable focus to the community," Hirst said. "A lot of these farmers everywhere farm because they like farming, that's why they do it."

Many family-owned orchards also have petting zoos, arts and crafts, a farm market with apples and cider and the opportunity for tours. Hirst said the business is about more than just making money — it's also about the education factor.

"(We need to) educate kids about where their food comes from, where it's produced. Kids think milk comes from the supermarket, not from the cow."

Hirst compared the family-owned orchard to the family-owned hardware store. "The best thing we can do is buy from them, patronize them, give them our custom."

Indiana orchard owners struggle

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