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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
14 CapitalPress.com April 15, 2016 Pheasant Orchards a fifth-generation operation By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS For the Capital Press This family-owned or- chard between Soap Lake and Ephrata, Wash., is the result of generations of dedication. “Three of us are fifth-gen- eration orchardists,” says Darla Grubb, whose g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r, James Pheasant, brought his family to Washington in 1901. They left their farm and or- chard in Nebraska and trav- eled for two weeks by train to Wenatchee. James’ sons and grandsons went upriver to Tonasket in 1907, where they homesteaded and planted or- chards. Two grandsons, George and Tom, plant- ed orchards near Ephrata in the 1950s after the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project opened Jeff up farm land in Pheasant that area. “My dad (Tom) bought his 40-acre lot in 1958. He and his brother George formed a partnership called Basin View Orchards when they put their orchards together,” Darla says. They built a fruit stand in 1960 that was operated on the honor system. “People picked out their own fruit from bins, weighed the boxes, and put their mon- ey into a container,” she says. Today people come from as far away as Seattle and Montana for apples and pears. “It’s now second and third generations of family customers. On weekends we have people who help with the stand, but during the week it’s still on the honor system,” Darla says. At age 83, Tom Pheas- ant is still actively involved, working with his children — son Jeff who now manages the orchard, daughter Jenni Bunkleman and daughter Darla Grubb — and several grandchildren, who work in the orchard. “I retired from school Filtration • Pumps • Irrigation • Electrical teaching (music) for 25 years in Ephrata, and came back to the farm to help with the orchard as office manager,” Darla says. Many family members work in the orchard. “All my nephews and nieces work here and we also have a youth crew that works in the summer. We employ about 25 men year-round and now we’ve started a women’s crew. During harvest people come all the way from Cali- fornia to pick apples, cherries and pears,” she says. “I grew up on this farm and remember summers thinning trees, suckering, changing ir- rigation pipe while my friends went to the lakes. Yet I appre- ciate it now, learning how to work. I am grateful we had the opportunity and that’s why we give this opportunity to youth workers all summer,” she says. Pheasant Orchards grows several varieties of apples in- Courtesy of Pheasant Orchards A picker holds fresh-picked Gala apples at Pheasant Orchards near Ephrata, Wash. The family-owned orchard also grows Red and Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Cameo, Fuji, Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, along with three varieties of pears — Bartlett, d’Anjou and Bosc. cluding Red and Golden De- licious, Gala, Braeburn, Cam- eo, Fuji, Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, along with three varieties of pears — Bartlett, d’Anjou and Bosc. “At our fruit stand I am Apple Annie, wearing an apple outfit, and I do kin- dergarten tours for kids, and tours of the orchard,” Darla says. for all your needs, we can handle it for you! Anthony Tasselli (top left) is a Drip/Micro Specialist, fully trained in Irricad Design, plus a certified Nelson Twig System Designer. Ag and Environmental Tech degree from NC State. Matt Corcoran (top right) is a Certified Irrigation Designer with over 29 years of irrigation experience, specializing in Micro- Irrigation, Filtration, and Water Treatment. Bob Stanford (left) is also a Certified Irrigation Designer and brings over 35 years irrigation experience and a wealth of knowledge to help serve you and provide solutions. His cell 503-949-9584. Ernst Irrigation is a full service dealership, including a Supervising Electrician on staff. We can handle it! Website: www.ErnstIrrigation.com Please call today, 503-633-1111 20179 Main St. • St. Paul, OR 97137 ONV16-1/#5
