The Klackle family fruit growing heritage started in the early 1900’s down in the Benton Harbor / St. Joseph area of Michigan which was then known as the fruit & produce hub of the Midwest. The Stevensville farm where the family’s first generation of immigrants homesteaded was very close to the bustling Benton Harbor wholesale market where the crops could be sold. Horticultural skills were fined tuned by that generation growing apples, peaches, pears, berries and grapes. It was in the 1940’s that Ray Klackle, the oldest son of Frank Klackle decided to purchase his own farm in the then emerging new fruit growing area of Belding. Michigan. He also became manager of a cider/vinegar production operation which marketed their high quality products under the Indian Summer label.
It was at this Belding farm that the 2nd generation of family fruitgrowers began to put down their roots in the central Michigan area. In the late 1960’s the Ore Ida potato company began to reduce their land holdings in the area as they shifted more production to Idaho. Ray Klackle seized the opportunity to purchase some land they had for sale directly west of Greenville on Hwy M-57. It had last been in potato production and prior to that having been a large dairy operation. In 1970 Ray planted his first fruit trees on this land while the Belding orchards helped support his increasing fruit growing endeavors. On his new farm, he planted a new type of tree at the time, know as “semi-dwarf” trees. Ray was a pioneer in the use of dwarfing rootstocks for fruit trees and in the early 1970’s his Greenville orchard became known as one of the largest in the state with these kind of smaller trees.
The third generation family fruitgrower, Steve Klackle entered the family orchard business officially in the late 1970’s having left a job in the field of civil engineering for the opportunity to go into business for himself and he’s never looked back. Ray Klackle had passed away several year before and if the tradition was to continue it was up to Steve. Luckily it must have been in his blood. Today, the orchard’s 300 acres of apples and other crops keeps the orchard staff plenty busy. We start harvesting our 100,000 + trees with our first variety, Paula Red in mid-August and we keep going until the Braeburns in early November. Annual production can be nearly 200,000 bushels of apples. Most of our production is sold through the chain store groceries and of course a portion is also sold pick-your-own.
When Steve entered the business he brought with him a desire to sell more of the apples directly to the customers and to also share with them the excitement of the harvest season. A result of this is the Klackle Orchards Family Fun Farm, an agri-tourism operation and the Cornucopia retail farm market. Both of these aspects of the operation grow a bit each year based on what our customers are asking for in experiences and products. These efforts all started with a small wagon offering fruit alongside the road on the “honor system” and has grown to what it is today because of our loyal customers. Thank-you for your support of our family farm!
Steve, his wife Rosemary and children Natalie & Ryan invite you to visit our 600 acre farm and enjoy our rich heritage of fruitgrowing mixed in with some good old fashion country fun! Experience a wagon ride out to pick apples of your own choosing right off the tree. Gaze over a 30 acre field of pumpkins to find just the right one for you! Enjoy everything else we have to offer. We look forward to hosting you at our farm and market.
Produce