Our Growers

Location: Deerfield, MI
Established: 1935
Owners: Swindeman Family

In 1935, Walter E. Swindeman, Sr., a wholesale grocery salesman, noticed the poor-quality apples in Southeast Michigan stores and thought upon retirement that he would begin hobby farming apples to better support local retailers. From this initial idea, he planted 600 trees on 16 acres. Using the resources at hand, he stored the freshly picked fruit in the basement of his garage and sold by the bushel out of the front of his home. With steady growth to his operations and a need to increase supply to match the high demand from local grocers, he began handling other apple growers’ fruit in the area.

Walter’s son, Bernie Swindeman, grew up on the farm helping his dad and was able to save money to buy land and set up an orchard of his own in his teens. In 1955, Bernie and his wife, Beverly, took full control of the family operation and continued to expand the business, becoming the first to build a Controlled Atmosphere (CA) room in the U.S., in 1958. In the mid-1970s, Bernie’s sons, Steve, Scott, and Jim, got involved in running the family business. The three sons now run the company along with the fourth generation: Scott’s son, Michael, and Jim’s sons, Brandt and Trent.

Applewood now encompasses 450+ acres of apples and has multiple grower-packer relationships. Today, as part of FirstFruits — the country’s first nationwide, regionally sourced apple supplier — Applewood Orchards, Inc., ships to numerous areas in the U.S. and exports to several countries.

Location: Kent City, MI
Established: 2009
Owners: Randy Kober

Located in the heart of apple country, the Sparta area holds a special place in Randy Kober’s life. He grew up running through orchards on the family farm. In 2009, he purchased his first farm a short drive away. Proud to become a fifth-generation apple grower and work alongside his father, Rodney, and brother, Ryan, he has since increased his acreage and continues to seek opportunities for growth in apple production.

Randy enjoys all aspects of farming, from planting and harvesting to storing and trucking the fruit. With hope that the next generation will grow the same interest in farming he did as a kid, Randy, and his wife Kaitlyn, raise their four children on the family farm. The Kober family shows evidence of a long-lasting commitment to quality, family, and tradition in growing Michigan apples.

Location: New Era, MI
Established: 1996
Owners: Caleb Coulter

Caleb Coulter began working in apple orchards about when he learned to walk, tagging along with his grandpa and taking naps on the tractor fender. He purchased his first 100-acre farm in the Fall of 1996 right after graduating high school. Youthful and ambitious, he initially grew pickles to finance the future expansion of his orchards. From there, it was constant growth and integration with surrounding grower-partners.

Armed with a wealth of knowledge passed down for generations, American Apple now grows 13 full-flavored apple varieties on 180+ acres. Nestled seven miles inland from the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, it’s also one of the biggest asparagus packer-producers in the state of Michigan.

The business has grown into a machine that never sleeps, with a fresh pressed apple cider program and increased asparagus production and partnerships. In every aspect, its focus remains: consistency in quality, customer service, and most importantly, family tradition.

Location: Sparta, MI
Established: 2004
Owners: Patrick Goodfellow

Just like an apple tree, Patrick Goodfellow built his business from the ground up. As a young man, he worked on his small family orchard with his father, Bill, becoming the fifth generation to grow apples in his family. This exposed him to the craft of growing superior Michigan apples and gave him a fondness for business. In 2004, he began renting orchards in the area, subsequently purchasing additional farms and taking over the family farm from his father.

Ever ambitious, Patrick purchased his first farm at age 23 with strong goals of expanding beyond the orchard side of apple operations. He has since added cold storage facilities, trucking, and part-ownership of one of the largest apple packing facilities in Michigan.

Now armed with a wealth of knowledge, Patrick continues to evolve the business, steadily planting new trees of popular varieties such as Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji. Now operating on over 325 acres of fruitful Michigan soil, PG Orchards has become not just innovative but sustainable.

Location: Sparta, MI
Established: 2011
Owners: Ryan Kober

For Ryan Kober of RKS Farms, apple growing is not just a profession; it’s a family legacy and personal passion. Walking in the footsteps of his farming forebears, Ryan acquired his first 40 acres of open Michigan land in 2011, where he planted apples exclusively. For four years, he spent long nights and early mornings learning and growing. He then decided to expand his operation and purchased 80 more acres of rich soil for more apple trees to prosper.

In addition to being a remarkable dad to three beautiful children, Ryan enjoys doing business alongside his father and brother, keeping the family traditions alive, and showing a true testament to the dedication and perseverance that come from apple growing.

Location: Sparta, MI
Established: 1983
Owners: Rodney Kober

Rodney and Denise Kober were raised on apple farms and on values instilled in the culture of apple growing: community and family tradition. They raised their four kids the same way. Today, Rodney and Denise remain fourth-generation farmers in Sparta, Michigan — together with their grown children. Each child has continued in the apple industry, from their sons working on the farm to a daughter becoming the Michigan Apple Queen.

In recent years, their farm has become part of the Michigan Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes working farms that have been continuously owned by the same family for at least 100 years. Rodney, while cherishing heritage and seeking innovation, has also added new controlled atmosphere (CA) storage rooms to the farm and continues to look for ways to increase production and profitability.

Proud to work daily on the farm with his sons, Ryan and Randy, Rodney aims to hand down his well-kept knowledge and wisdom to equip the next generation for apple growing success.

Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Established: 1903
Owners: Ronald Rasch & Family

Raised in a family that valued tradition and hard work, Ron Rasch has continued and enhanced his family’s heritage of apple growing in Michigan. Some say he’s one of the best growers in the area. His appreciation and understanding of apple production began early in his family’s packing shed, with his work overseen by his dad and grandfather. A die-hard Spartan fan, he later took his packing shed experience to the classroom for a degree in Agriculture Business from Michigan State University.

Currently Ronald Rasch Farms includes roughly 800 acres of farmland in the Ridge, Belding, and Fremont areas of the state. Matthew Rasch, Ron’s son, has become his counterpart on the farm, acquiring wisdom and knowledge from Ron to assist with operations, logistics, and managing orchard land. Experienced in growing multiple apple varieties, Ron has become an expert in growing club varieties such as KIKU®, Kanzi®, and his personal favorite – SweeTango®.

Location: Sparta, MI
Established: 1983
Owners: Rob and Christine Steffens

Steffens Orchard and Market, run by Rob and Christine Steffens and their now-adult children, operates on 300+ acres scattered throughout Alpine, Sparta, and Chester townships. To the Steffens family, the production of apples is a year-round effort with one goal in mind — to provide people with a reliable, delicious piece of fruit.

In 1983, when the parcel where the farm market is was purchased, there wasn’t an apple tree on it. Now, in addition to a barn that dates back over a century (refurbished in 2010) the area holds a thriving market and acres of apples, sweet cherries, and pumpkins. Today, the legacy of growth continues under Rob’s vision, with increased acreage, new apple varieties, and part-ownership of multiple packing facilities.

Location: Conklin, MI
Established: 1958
Owners: Mark, Roger, Steve and Vince Umlor

Umlor Orchards, operated by the Umlor family for over three generations, is a family-run packer and grower located in the heavy fruit production town of Conklin, in West Michigan. Steve, Vince, Roger, and Mark Umlor run the farms and packing facilities together, each taking an essential part in the beautiful craft of fresh apple production. Not pictured but still as important are their sons, Dominic, Tyler, and Ben Umlor, who plan to continue the family farming legacy.

The company’s roots run deep in Michigan, dating back to 1958. In addition to their packing and storage facilities, the Umlor family manages 340+ acres of apple land in the Conklin, Shelby, and Hart areas; 14 controlled atmosphere rooms; and many strong partnerships with other growers. Despite the inevitable challenges, the Umlors value the trust and camaraderie that comes with running a family business.