The Gilbert family has been farming in the Yakima area for over 100 years.  H.M. Gilbert and his wife Marion made their way west from Illinois in the latter part of the 19^th century and settled in the Yakima Valley where they created a home and began farming the fertile soil.  They tried many different crops, but by 1910 had decided that fruit trees were best suited for the area.  Today, the fourth generation of Gilberts descended from these hardy pioneers  farm over 550 acres of thriving organic orchards, proving that H.M. was right about the promise of this sunny, fertile valley.

A desire to preserve the fertility of the soil and to protect wildlife prompted the Gilbert family to explore organic techniques beginning in 1981.  However, it wasn’t until 1989 that they were able to successfully produce their crops using only organic methods.  Cragg Gilbert, HM’s great-grandson and General Manager for Gilbert Orchards, says “The greatest change over the course of my life has been the implementation by our company of organic and integrated pest management farming practices, and sustainable practices for land, wildlife and employees.  When I started farming, the standard pest management practice was to kill every bug in the orchard with the largest dose of pesticide to make sure nothing could survive.  The soils were compacted, lifeless and had a low PH from overuse of ammonium sulfate fertilizer.”  Today the soil at Gilbert Organic Orchards is alive again, and the orchards are safe for both wildlife and people.

Gilbert Orchards produce top quality organic Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Gala, Red Delicious, Gold Delicious, Cameo, Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink apples.  They intend to continue to improve their farming techniques and to restore the fertility and biodiversity of their land so that it, in turn, can sustain their family for many more generations. 

For more information about Gilbert Orchards, visit their website at www.gilbertfruit.com.   

Earning an engineering degree, Dick used his love of precision and details to make the premier organic apple packing house in California. He packs about 75% of the organic apples in California. The Rider shed is the main plant packing CF Fresh’s Viva Tierra apples in California. During packing season Dick virtually lives at the packing line ensuring CF Fresh can bring the highest quality fruit to the market. Dick’s wife Joan loves to work side by side with him and is just as meticulous as he is. Dick is a consummate apple packer; a quiet courteous man that everyone loves to work with.

Jim Rider’s love for the land bloomed into 75 acres of apples in organic production and another 25 acres of flowers. He is known throughout the area as an innovative, progressive grower, so when he put his entire apple acreage into organic production, others observed his progress with great interest. A fan of experimentation, he found that the coastal California climate and Jonagold apples are a perfect fit. One of his enthusiasms is grafting, so his orchard is a wonderland of the new and exotic. He has considerable plantings of Fuji and Braeburn, and newer varieties such as Pink Lady®. Jim’s wife Barbara markets the flowers from their acres of flower beds.

The Rider brothers are great examples of thriving organic family farming. They are among the premier organic growers in California. Their partnership with CF Fresh continues to prosper.

In order to protect this critical wild habitat, Threemile Canyon Farms developed a tremendous conservation effort. In 2003 they set aside 23,000 acres of undisturbed juniper and sage habitat - 25% of the property's 145 square miles - in permanent protection under The Nature Conservancy's management. The farm also provides funding and in-kind assistance to The Nature Conservancy for management of the conservation area. On top of that they consented to using only half of the Columbia River water originally allotted. This leaves 120,000 acre-feet more water annually in the river for other users, both wild and domesticated.

Besides setting virgin land aside for conservation, and using organic agricultural practices, the company takes additional steps to protect the environment around cultivated areas. The native shrub-steppe is extremely susceptible to fire and invasion by foreign species. Threemile Canyon is diligent about reseeding the borders of fields with native plant species and implementing aggressive fire protection measures.

Threemile Canyon places a high priority on developing a sustainable, closed-loop operation, which will protect the environment and benefit the local rural economy. Crop rotation, composting, water and energy conservation are essential to the farm's sustainable vision.

Pete Van Dyke is the head of the farming operation. He looks to expand the ranch and offer more varieties of fruit in the future. They He and his sons have planted earlier and later varieties of popular apricots and cherries so their harvest season can be extended.

The Van Dykes are very proud of their sweet, large organic Bing cherries, 9-12 row, and their packing line. Come harvest time you’ll find the family putting in long days on the farm. After they get done picking and packing cherries they move on to the Blenheim apricots. Their farm has great southern exposure which increases the sweetness and flavor of their fruit. The Blenheim apricot is one of the best tasting apricot varieties, very sweet with true apricot flavor.

Pete's children have grown up on the farm and are part of the family farming effort along with their cousin Michaela and several grandchildren. Like most grandfathers, Pete is very proud of his grandchildren and enjoys taking them on family outings where they get a chance to “hang out” together. When he's not growing great organic fruit, Pete surfs, snowboards, skis and plays weekly gigs in a country rock band called Tsunami.  

Learn more about the Van Dyke family and their organic orchard at www.vandykeorganics.com.

In the early 1990’s, Gordon and Leigh began using an Integrated Pest Management program. After several years of building up their beneficial insect populations, they took the next step and transitioned to organic growing in 1999. In 2001 they packed their first completely certified organic harvest.

The Pobsts also pack, store and ship their own apples. This way they can control fruit quality all the way from the tree to the buyer. Their high quality fruit has earned them a loyal following of discerning customers, proof positive that their hard work and persistence have paid off. They use a modern computer-controlled packing line that gives their workers time to finish the fruit with a quality hand-packed touch.

Gordon and Leigh believe that their success comes from remaining true to their values. They have always tried to make their orchard a place where they like to go to work. The loyalty of their workers and customers proves that Golden Harbor Orchards is a great place for all.

Although Dick assumed the family plumbing business, he also inherited Pop Anderson's farmer genes. In 1996, Dick turned the family plumbing business over to son, Bob, and turned his hobby, farming, into his livelihood.

The Berrymans have 15 acres with seven varieties of organic nectarines. They want to expand their organic nectarine acreage and add earlier maturing varieties, however they are not willing to sacrifice flavor and quality.

The Berrymans are a unique operation, they pack their own nectarines. Each season they convert a shed into a homemade packing line of overturned bins and plywood. They have a loyal crew that has been with them for years; friends, neighbors and family. Daughter Sandra runs the scales and stamps the boxes and grandchildren join in the harvest. The crew starts picking and packing the same day. The Berrymans strive to provide good quality fruit, picked at peak flavor yet firm enough to ship well. Rose Ann insists that the fruit smell good and inspects every box. Their name on the fruit boxes reflects the great pride and care taken in their produce.

The Berrymans are among the growing number of organic farmers who make a lasting contribution to the environment and bring wholesome, quality products to the marketplace. They are members of the Organic Trade Association and are proud to have WSDA Certified Organic stamp on their product.