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The biggest factor in the success of the orchard
is hard work… whether it is pruning trees in the winter,
continuing to care for them in the spring, or harvesting and
selling in the late summer and fall. The Futch family has
made the apple producing business a year-round family tradition.
R & A Orchard
had its beginning in 1947 when Ann Futch’s father and
mother Leonard and Della Payne planted their first trees in
Gilmer County . Roger and Ann Futch joined the operation in
1969, making an addition to the orchard. In 1972, R &
A Orchard opened its Roadside Market.
In 1983, the third generation
entered the family orchard business when Roger and Ann son
Andy planted his first tree for a FFA school project. Their
daughter Rhonda began helping in the apple house that same
year. In 1991, Andy married Jennifer Reece, and she entered
the family business.
Andy and Jennifer with their
two daughters Amanda and Jessica continue to carry on a family
tradition. Whether its working in the kitchen making pies
and other goodies or working in the fields with fruits and
vegetables is always something to do. At the present time,
R & A Orchard has approximately 60 acres of apples trees
and approximately 10 acres of peaches and nectarines. Peach
picking begins around June 1 with apple picking beginning
August 1. Also vegetables through frost. Apple season normally
runs through December 1.
Our Family hopes you will
enjoy some of our favorite family recipes and extend a cordial
welcome for you to visit with us again soon. For the convenience
of our customers are able to order our products and keep up
with events going on at our orchard. We appreciate each and
every one of our customers.
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