Speaker highlights century-old Pease Orchard, year-round operations and farmers-market outreach

A resident speaking during a Town of Templeton public comment period described Pease Orchards family history, year-round farm operations and efforts to bring customers to the site.

The speaker said the orchard traces back to 1912 when his grandfather and great-uncle established an apple orchard, and noted a nearby dairy farm run by his father. "My grandfather and his brother set the orchard out back in 1912. It was a joint venture, business venture that they had and apples was big time back then," the resident said.

The speaker framed the orchards local advantage in environmental terms, saying the Brooks Village area has a "perch water table" that keeps fields green during drought and supports apple trees and other crops. He described the soils as "perfect" and the climate favorable for fine fruit.

The resident detailed the orchards crop mix: 27 different apple varieties, including heirloom apples, and "over a 100 peach trees with 10 different varieties." He said the farm focuses on producing high-quality fruit rather than entertainment or attractions.

On operations, the speaker emphasized that orchard work is year-round: cultivation, fertility management and pruning lead into harvest. "It's a year long, enterprise," he said, adding that picking season is the visible, seasonal peak for visitors but not the full scope of work.

For marketing and outreach, the resident said the orchard uses social media, local signage and farmers markets to sell product and attract visitors. "We take the show on the road...we go to the markets, people see us, they wanna come back to the farm," he said, describing farmers markets as an "ambassadorship" that builds return visits.

The speaker offered a recent harvest example: "Today, we picked this morning about 200 pounds of peaches," and described selecting tree-ripened fruit for customers.

Looking ahead, the resident said the orchard has operated for three generations and about "a hundred and 13 years," and expressed hope that younger family members might continue the farm. He closed by directing listeners to the orchards Facebook page and website for hours, variety lists and videos, and invited the public to visit and sample local fruit.

The comments were made as public testimony and did not include a proposal, motion, or formal action by the Town of Templeton governing body.