Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
2 CapitalPress.com April 15, 2016 Unique arrangement helps transition By CRAIG REED For the Capital Press James Orchard On the Cover WINSTON, Ore. — In re- cent years, John James had said several times he was ready to turn his fruit orchard over to somebody younger. Loriena Hunt and Erin Say- lor, who had picked fruit in the James Orchard since they were kids, thought James was joking when he brought the subject up. But last summer during the peak of the harvest, James made it clear he wasn’t joking. He and his wife, Kathy, wanted some help. “We always thought he was kidding,” Saylor said. “But then he just outright asked if I would do it.” Hunt got the same question. The two friends hardly hesi- tated before partnering up with the Jameses. The two women and their families helped James Where: Winston, Ore. Harvest time is seen in this photo courtesy of Gebbers Farms. Partners: John and Kathy James, Loriena and Travis Hunt family, Erin and Jason Saylor family Acreage: 16 Fruit: Cherries, peaches, nectarines, pears and apples Craig Reed/For the Capital Press Erin Saylor, left, Loriena Hunt, John James and Deborah and Ther- an Hunt are the main partners that are now working at, managing and marketing the James Orchard near Winston, Ore. Long-time orchardist James said he is pleased to have found a couple of families who are willing to share the workload needed to keep the 16-acre orchard in production and successful. during the final six weeks of the 2015 summer fruit season, helping to pick and sell the orchard’s peaches, cherries, nectarines, pears and apples at farmers’ markets. This year the Hunts and Saylors are in a 50-50 partner- World Class Berry & Produce Packaging Solutions #1 Source Serving & Delivering In the Northwest Since 1988 Degradable Bags, Flats, Boxes, Clamshells & More! Farm • Agriculture • Packers • Food Processors, etc. Wax Boxes with Overlap Bottoms #1 in Labeling Your Berry Containers... 5 Cases or a Truckload M K E T S UP AR & DISTRIBUTION, INC. PLY All Sizes Customizing Available! 253-479-0111 • Kent, WA • www.marketsupplydist.com ONV16-1/#24 100% Natural Organic Fertilizer 4-3-2 Environmentally Friendly High Performance - Low Impact Gradual & Steady Release of Micronutrients Convenient pellet or granule form for even broadcasting Perfect for turf, vegetable or flower gardens, shrubs & trees ship with James on the 16-acre orchard of about 1,500 trees for the entire year. James is doing all the tractor work, fertilizing, spraying, irrigating and will cover the expense of electricity, water, fertilizer, farmers’ mar- ket fees and fruit boxes. The Saylors and Hunts will do the pruning, harvesting and selling at a stand at the orchard and stands at the Coos Bay and Grants Pass farmers’ markets. Hunt’s son Theran and his wife, Deborah, have done much of the orchard work, such as prun- ing, through the winter. “John wants his orchard to stay in business,” Saylor said. “He really trusts us. He knows our hearts are into it. He’s try- ing to make it work for us.” “I’m so excited,” Loriena Hunt said. “I’m so glad God gave us this opportunity. It’s literally a dream come true for me. “Erin and I are two peas in a pod,” she added. “We are true farm girls.” Saylor, 35, and Hunt, 43, have known each other for $15,500 Ramacher 9500 Harvester $35,500 years and both love the farming lifestyle. They each milk cows at their home places, they grow big gardens and they have their own small orchards. They al- ready have farmers’ market ex- perience, selling surplus fruits and vegetables and homemade items at booths. But working with a 1,500- tree orchard is their biggest farm project to date. James, who is almost 66, has been growing fruit since 1972. He cut back on his orchard about 10 years ago, taking out some trees to ease his work- load. He turned the cleared area into a venue for special events such as weddings and reunions. “Rather than selling the or- chard, I took some trees out,” James said. James said the women ini- tially wanted to rent the or- chard, but James told them they needed to learn the business first. So he partnered with them with the understanding if all goes well, the Hunts and Say- lors will take over 100 percent in a year or two. $16,950 Flory 1380 Conveyor Cart $25,500 “These girls are hard-work- ing,” James said. “They wanted to rent the place, but I told them they needed to learn the busi- ness first and then they could. I know it is going to work.” To add to the orchard’s di- versity and to add to the inven- tory available at the markets, the new partners plan to plant strawberries and the vegetables needed to make salsa such as tomatoes, onions and peppers. Loriena Hunt has made and sold salsa at past markets. “We’ll incorporate some of our own items with the fruit at the stands,” Saylor said. “It’s overwhelming, but ex- citing at the same time,” she added. “We’re all on the same page. We wouldn’t do this with anybody else.” In addition to the stand at the orchard, the partners will sell at the farmers’ markets in Coos Bay, Ore., on Wednes- days and in Grants Pass, Ore., on Saturdays. Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press $35,500 Flory 7675 Air-Cab Sweeper $20,000 50# pellets or 40# granules - $10.00 CALL FOR PALLET OR BULK PRICING DISCOUNTS Organic Materials Review Institute™ P.O. Box 307 • Canby, OR 97013 Flory 480 Harvester PBM- HAV300 Air-Cab Sprayer HENRY COLOMBO EQUIPMENT 209-531-8398 • henry@colomboequipment.com 888-877-7665 ONV16-1/#7 www.colomboequipment.com • Free Delivery California-Oregon ONV16-4/#18 Nelson Hardie Super 80 Sprayer D. Stutzman Farms
