Friends of the Orchard
To our surprise, ever since we have moved here we are routinely approached and asked if we would like some help. At first, we understood this to be an offer to help with “testing” our 20+ varieties of apples for taste and quality. Boy, were we mistaken.
On countless occasions, we have had friends, family, and neighbors pop over with gloves in tow to provide us with real, tangible help and support. Without them, our orchard and market would not be the success it has been!
Miracle at the Orchard
It was fall 2023 and what a season it had been. Prayers for rain had filled the waking hours of farmers across our state and the land longed for the precipitation that would quench its thirst. That year, nearly every farmer was affected by the lack of rain throughout Wisconsin and endured its lasting effects. Agriculture is always a gamble, and one of the major things we can’t control is the weather despite hoping for abundant harvests every year.
2023 was a year full of promise. Despite the rain deficit, fruit set was exceptional, and our trees were loaded. One of the challenges the drought caused was many of the apples were very small, motivating us to be creative with how we would utilize our harvest. As the fall progressed and apples ripened, we had another problem: a shortage of crew. Frosty days were approaching, and we knew the apples wouldn’t survive when it dipped below 27 degrees. It was a seemingly insurmountable challenge facing us.
As we neared mid-October, we snapped into action. Messages were sent to dozens of people and our orchard customer community. And God answered our prayers in more ways than we could have ever anticipated. People stepped up to help us in our time of need. Families, missionaries, a youth group, high schoolers from the FCA, friends, neighbors and many others came together to pick apples and tackle the challenge. In total, 57 served us. Just in our time of need God provided the people and resources to bring in a bountiful harvest and take care of the crop He gave us.
As a result, we were able to bring in a wonderful yield before the frost and use it to bless countless families and students across the Fox Valley with fresh apples through April. God provided the harvest and means to procure it just in time, and we give Him and the people who came to our rescue thanks. We have been abundantly blessed with a wonderful community who are there in times of ease and times of trouble, and we can’t wait to see what He does next as we prepare for the next season on the orchard and in our lives.
Thank you to all those who helped us before the frost, we are grateful and indebted to you!
The Stille Family
Hard working to the end, the Stilles are an amazing addition to the work crews at the orchard. The family of 14 is always ready to speed pick the trees and pack apples! THANK YOU!
The Court Family
A family of 11 and our close neighbors, the Courts are an asset to the orchard. It’s always great to see the community kids come and chip in. THANK YOU!
The Garrett Family
The Garrett family is a close neighbor and they have helped tremendously with packing apples and the store. THANK YOU!
The Strasburg Family
The Strasburgs have come out to the orchard to pick thousands of apples off the trees and to fill deer apple bags for our venison-loving customers. THANK YOU!
The Elsbecker Family
The Elsbeckers have been a steadfast support throughout the years in many ways. From AppleFest to apple packing, they have always been there when we need them. THANK YOU!
Johanna K
Always ready to jump in with a smile on her face, Johanna has been a valuable member of our AppleFest volunteer crew for many years. THANK YOU!
Nick V
Nick has helped us several times with AppleFest and is always an awesome addition to the team. THANK YOU!
Linda D
Linda is always there willing to lend a helping hand. She has helped us with the store, AppleFest, and has been a huge support through the years. THANK YOU!
Ellen A
Ellen always whirlwinds through whatever task we give her. She has been an amazing help at AppleFest, in the store, and at various other times. THANK YOU!
Maralee M
Maralee has been an amazing helper through the years at the orchard. We love it when she brings her bubbly personality and bright smile. THANK YOU!
The Kiley Family
From tending to gardens, picking apples, washing apples, taking care of our kittens, and more, the Kileys have been an invaluable asset to life at the orchard. Cana Lawrence and her sisters also makes the aromatic goat soap you can find in our store—thanks for sharing your talents! THANK YOU!
The Rocke Family
From picking apples to packing and delivering, the Rocke family has been an invaluable asset to the orchard. Without them who knows how we would have gotten all those apples off the trees! THANK YOU!
The Prewitt Family
Another neighbor, the Prewitt family has helped us with gardening, apple packing, AppleFest, and much more. THANK YOU!
The Meidam Family
The Meidam family has been another amazing support throughout the years. They are always there ready to help. THANK YOU!
The Lawrence Family
Throughout the years, the family next door has helped in countless ways. Now they are officially part of our family as well since Christina married the boy next door. THANK YOU!
The Nelsons
Our neighbors are the best, putting up with our many bonfires, a lawn that isn’t even close to the fairway-style turf they keep, and generously sharing some of their land for tasty produce. THANK YOU!
The Nelson Family
Cheryl and Larry have cleaned and packed thousands of apples on the orchard. They also volunteered to help out with AppleFest and met many of you with cheery enthusiasm. THANK YOU!
The Marhold Family
The Marholds have helped tremendously with cider. We always appreciate the whole family jumping in with enthusiasm wherever they are needed. THANK YOU!
The Williams’ Family
The Williams’ family is always there helping out with something, whether it’s AppleFest, some sort of cooking venture, or anything else we need. THANK YOU!
The Vandenberg Family
The Vandenbergs have been a huge help throughout the years. Whether it’s packing apples or volunteering at AppleFest, they’ve always been there. THANK YOU!
Lawrence Christian Fellowship
In the past, students from Lawrence University have volunteered at AppleFest and packed apples, helping with everything including parking, serving food, doling out samples, tending the store, and more. THANK YOU!
The Kehn Family
When the Kehn boys are at the orchard, we know apples are going to get picked, cleaned, and packed. They have always been ready to dig in whenever needed. THANK YOU!
The Tanglin Family
Tim and his kids have braved cold temperatures and rain to press some of the best apple cider on the planet. They have also helped many times with other odd jobs around the orchard. THANK YOU!
The Bricco Family
When the Briccos are here, weeds shake in their boots. And besides that, all kinds of odds and ends get sorted. THANK YOU!
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The FCA stepped up to help us out and sent out a group of boys to help us out and pick apples. We couldn’t have brought in the harvest without you! THANK YOU!
The Hartman Family
The Hartmans were awesome coming out to help us during their furlough from Brazil. They worked hard to help us out and we so appreciate them. THANK YOU!
The Moore Family
The Moore family really stepped up to help us in our time of need. We appreciate their hard work and apple-picking proficiency. THANK YOU!
The Salibi Family
Chuck and his family helped us out immensely this year not only picking apples, but finding more help as we needed it. We couldn’t have done it without them. THANK YOU!
The Anderson Family
The Anderson family came out and picked hundreds of apples and were key to bringing in the harvest. We are forever grateful to them. THANK YOU!
“Being at Apple Blossom is a bit like being in paradise. On sunny days the place abounds with amazing sights, smells, and sounds on the outside and no matter the weather there is sunshine inside as you are greeted with a smile, great service, and delicious items. We love it there!”
Last but not least, we thank the many of you that have provided prayers, moral support and a strong back. Our heartfelt thanks to ALL of you.
Want to be a Friend of the Orchard? The only qualifications include the willingness to work for food and a pair of work gloves. :)