Country Acres South - September 16, 2023

Peeling

off the layers of a possibility

Folkert operates a hulling site for black walnuts

BY MARIA BICHLER STAFF WRITER

PLAINVIEW —

Matt Folkert has cracked open an opportunity for himself in southeastern Minnesota.

It revolves around black walnuts.

Folkert, of rural Plainview, began a buying location for black walnuts last fall. The 27-year-old operates the Hammons Products Company hulling site as an independent contractor of the company at his uncle’s farmsite near Elgin.

Hammons Products Company is a family-owned business that buys black walnuts from across the Midwest and is based in Stockton, Missouri.

The company purchases 25 million pounds of black walnuts from 11 states each fall. To do so, Hammons Products Company works with more than 200 buying

stations, each managed by independent contractors.

Anyone can bring black walnuts to a buying location, meaning the nuts are almost all wild harvested and grown without management.

Ready-to-eat black walnuts, walnut cooking oil and protein powder are produced by Hammons Products Company, among other products.

For his first season in operation, Folkert collected 27,782 pounds of hulled black walnuts. This year, he hopes for an even greater amount.

“This year, especially now that it’s not the first year and people know about it, it’s going to run a lot better,” Folkert said. “I’m hoping to have an even better turnout.”

Folkert, who grew up on a farm in the area, operates the hulling location as a part-time, seasonal job. His full-time job at Mayo Clinic in Rochester keeps him occupied

during the week.

“Generally, I also really love gardening and being outside,” Folkert said. “I like helping on

the farm.”

When someone brings black walnuts to the location, the in-hull nuts are processed through a hull-

ing machine which strips the green outer hull and the hulled black walnut remains. Then, the hulled nuts are weighed. Folkert

pays each customer a set amount per pound.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Matt Folkert (right) helps two harvesters unload a load of black walnuts in 2022 at his uncle’s farmsite near Elgin. Folkert is an independent contractor of Hammons Products Company of Stockton, Missouri.

Matt Folkert carries 50-pound bags of black walnuts in 2022 at his uncle’s farmsite near Elgin. Folkert lays the bags on pallets until the end of the season.

Matt Folkert (center) and his father Gerald Folkert (right) help a harvester unload and process a pickup bed full of black walnuts in 2022 near Elgin. The black walnuts are processed through a hulling machine to remove the outer hull.

Matt Folkert stands next to the hulling machine in 2022 at his uncle’s farm near Elgin. Folkert operated a black walnut buying location for the first time last year.

Folkert page 2

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The nuts are then placed in 50-pound bags and placed on pallets to dry. At the end of the collection season, a semitruck collects the inventory Folkert has.

Hammons Products Company pays Folkert a premium above what he pays to customers, albeit the profit margin is not large, Folkert said.

“This is a side gig; it’s not big money, even for me who is running the hauling station,” Folkert said. “I enjoy the independence of knowing it is what I make of it.”

Folkert manages the location with the help of family members, who aid with record keeping and customer transactions. Folkert does the majority of the manual labor.

“My goal is to eventually be self-employed, and this is a small step in that direction,” Folkert said.

Folkert said many people of previous generations are familiar with identifying black walnut trees but also harvesting and eating the nuts.

Black walnuts differ from an English walnut in that they have shells that are up to one-eighth inch thick and require specialty tools to open.

“The only people I’ve

talked to who really know what the nut meat tastes like are older people who used to crack them out,” Folkert said. “The older generations knew what to do with them and how to get them out of the shells. But, it’s a lost thing among younger generations because it’s a lot of work to bother with.”

Hammonds Products Company has created a niche for itself in that they have developed a process to shell the nuts and get useful amounts of nut meat after the automated process, Folkert said.

Commercially, the shell pieces are further utilized for abrasive cleaning, water filtration and within the oil drilling industry. Shells can also be found in cosmetic products and as a filler in dynamite production.

Folkert’s family uses the hull pieces as fertilizer which they spread using a manure spreader. Folkert said while the hulls do not affect crops such as corn, soybeans and grasses, the hulls can harm vegetable plants such as tomato and potato because of an allelopathic effect.

Folkert said black walnuts have a superior taste that can be versatile in cooking and baking. But, the nuts can also be enjoyed as a pure product.

“I like eating them plain,” Folkert said. “They are one of the few nuts that has a good enough flavor to do that for me.”

The uniqueness of the product adds enjoyment to the process for Folkert.

“It is really something that is truly special,” he said. “That adds to the neatness factor of it for me.”

The buying location is open for five Saturdays beginning Oct. 7.

“I definitely see myself, at this point, doing this next year,” Folkert said. “We’ll see how this year goes. I don’t anticipate any disasters, but then again, no one ever does.”

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Black walnuts hang on a tree in 2022. At Matt Folkert’s buying location, a hulling machine removes the outer hull, and harvesters are paid a price per pound of the remaining nuts in the shell.

Black walnut trees can be found in southeast Minnesota. Anyone can collect black walnuts and bring them to buying locations located throughout the Midwest, including the one Matt Folkert operates near Elgin.

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According to a USA Today article dated Nov. 29, 2022, the most common birthdate is Sept. 9. As a member of a family with their fair share of late summer through fall birthdays, that date sounds about right.

Like many before me, I’ve always been a big fan of my birthday as it is a fine day for being spoiled rotten. To this day, my birthday always has an extra special blend of excitement, specialness and adrenaline all swirled together into a Funfetti cupcake of emotions.

All my birthdays have been special, but for

some reason, my 7th stands out to me. I remember my birthday landed on a Sunday, so after church, Mom took me to the grocery store in Kasson and told me that I could pick out what we ate. We came home with both fried chicken and cheese stuffed crust pizza, more than likely, chocolate milk and more of my favorite treats. After our feast, in the afternoon, we watched “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and then for supper had cake and unwrapped presents.

It is funny how in many ways, those were simple things, but the excitement of getting to watch a movie and pick out whatever food I wanted made it special.

Once I got a year or two older, sleepovers were a big part of my birthday celebration. From the birthdays of 10 to 18, I only missed one year of having a sleepover, and then only because my two best friends were out of state.

Sleepovers only happened every several months at my house, so every moment was a treat.

My two best friends would help me with my calf chores in the evening for a few hours before watching a late movie — even if it had been on a normal night, it would have been long after my bedtime.

Next, we would go to sleep, talk and talk and talk in the dark about everything, but especially boys and the deep discussions of our — in reality nonexistent — love lives as we liked to call them.

The next day there would be breakfast and chores and then often a long walk through our woods for an adventure, or we would do an art project or something like that in the afternoon. The memories are so warm as I think back.

Some years my family planned a scavenger hunt for me and my friends which was always grand fun. Last year, for my birthday, I had not had a scavenger hunt in many years, so I decided to throw myself a birthday party and made up a scavenger hunt for my guests complete with prizes at the

end.

A key part of every birthday was cake. Often, one was allowed to make a suggestion of what one might like to see at one’s birthday party, but after that, mum was the word. For some reason, we always tried to hide the fact that we had baked a cake from the person whose birthday it was even though we all knew exactly what was happening.

As a kid, it was easier to put the right number of candles on the cake. Then, the battle was to make sure to blow them all out in one breath. In our family, every candle left burning after the first breath counted as another boyfriend you supposedly had, so in order to not be teased, it behooved one to blow out the candles with vigor.

Some years we even cheated and used relighting candles. If anyone was being particularly mischievous, candles would occasionally have real names attached to them, something to watch out for indeed.

In reality, the teasing was all in good fun, so to this day, it is a little hard to decide whether to be disappointed or relieved when all the candles blow out on the first try.

Sunshine & Flowers by Amy Kyllo

Goodhue County

| 17 years old

How many years have you been in 4-H? Six years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? Dairy and meat goats. In the past, I have shown sheep and done static projects like crafts and photography. Tell us about your favorite project or activity. Dairy project. I never saw myself doing it so it is kind of fun. We used to live in the city, and then we moved out to the farm and started showing dairy and got into goats last year.

What have you learned in 4-H? Patience. Patience with people and with your animals because they do not always do what you want them to do. I have also learned people skills such as talking more.

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? It is a good experience, and you meet new people. There are plenty of options to choose from of what you are interested in. There are a lot of good memories, and it is fun.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? I want to keep going with 4-H as long as I can. Someday maybe I will have job with 4-H, FFA or with animals.

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Addison Berg sits by her show cow Aug. 24 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Berg’s favorite 4-H project is dairy which she never saw herself doing.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Addison Berg stands with Cupcake Aug. 13, 2021. Berg shows dairy animals and meat goats and has showed sheep and done static projects like crafts and photography.

Goodhue County 4-H Highlight is brought to you by these fine sponsors...

Dodge County

Rylee Fitch | 12 years old Kasson | Dodge County | 4-H club: Canisteo Young Farmers

How many years have you been in 4-H? Two years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? For animals, I show chickens and a pig. For static projects, I do woodworking. This year, I made an old tailgate bench.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. Showing pigs and chickens. With showing pigs, you get to be a little closer to them and get to know the pig better.

What have you learned in 4-H? How to care for animals more and what they need.

Houston County

Avery Kingsley | 15 years old

Houston

Houston County

4-H chapter: Sheldon Spartans

How many years have you been in 4-H? About eight years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? I show goats, both meat and dairy. In the past, I have done static projects, but not this year.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. I love showing animals. It is a lot of work, which is maybe not the best part of it, but it pays off a lot of times. If you put in the work, you get a reward. It is so much fun. I love working with animals.

What have you learned in 4-H? How to talk to people more through interviews and stuff like that. I also have learned to work with other people in my county, especially at the fair, and to work with animals better.

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? You should join 4-H because you are part of a bigger community. You make friends. I have made a lot of friends through 4-H. Also, it is just a lot of fun to show animals. You connect with them. It is so much fun to do this; I love it.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? Once I cannot show anymore, I want to come to the shows and support people who are younger than me just because I enjoy watching.

Houston County 4-H Highlight is brought to you by these fine sponsors...

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? Because it is fun. You get to practice on your animals, and you get to be closer to your animals. Also, you can ask people to help you, and you can teach people. I have made friendships with people from different towns and counties. It’s like we are a big family.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? Show more animals like cows, sheep and goats. I also would like to make more projects like fix up a tractor or horse trailer.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Avery Kingsley leads her goat through the show ring at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Kingsley’s favorite part of 4-H is showing animals.

Avery Kingsley smiles from the show ring with her goat at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Kingsley said that if you put in the work, you get rewarded.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Rylee Fitch holds two chickens July 14 at the Dodge County Free Fair in Kasson. Fitch’s favorite project in 4-H is showing chickens and pigs.

Winona County

Sophie Ehlo | 16 years old

Winona | Winona County | 4-H chapter: Winona River City

How many years have you been in 4-H? Three years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? I show dairy goats, meat goats and rabbits. This year I am showing sheep. I have shown poultry in the past. I also do static projects such as fine arts, crafts, geology, gardening and plastic sculpture.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. My favorite project is definitely showing dairy goats. I like the work that gets put into them. Dairy goats are one of my favorite livestock to show overall. I like the competition.

What have you learned in 4-H? I have definitely learned to get better at public speaking and to be more

comfortable talking to people. I also have learned hard work does pay off, so you have to put your work in. In 4-H, keep going, because it is all worth it in the end.

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? It is a great learning experience. Students get lots of leadership skills, 4-H gets you out of your comfort zone. I have learned lots of things in the past three years from being in 4-H. I feel everybody should definitely do it.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? I am hoping to keep raising and breeding my animals. Hopefully I can let other 4-H students lease them and also sell animals to 4-H students.

Wishing all of our farmers a safe and prosperous harvest!

Fillmore County

The showing part and getting ribbons and all that stuff is fun, but just being able to have the time to mess around with animals is good. Also, being able to hold your animals when you are stressed out is so nice.

What have you learned in 4-H? Being nice to people. Being friendly is the best thing to be doing in 4-H. You will learn that not everyone is as scary as they seem. When you walk around and someone is having trouble, you help them. Then, you start talking to them, and you make new friends. I am from one of the southeasternmost counties in Minnesota and have made friends with kids from one of the farthest northwestern counties in Minnesota. Now, I look forward to seeing them at the state fair.

How many years have you been in 4-H? I have been in 4-H since kindergarten, but I have been going to the fair since I was a baby. My older siblings were in 4-H as soon as they could, and my mom and her siblings were all part of 4-H. Our family has been doing 4-H for years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? I have done poultry. I have shown ducks, chickens, geese and turkeys. I also have been showing market goats and dairy goats. This year is the first year I have shown a cow. I have done a couple different static projects: photos I have taken; three wood projects: a table, a bench and a picnic table that folds up; paintings and a wire sculpture of a deer.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. If it is not directly involving 4-H itself, my favorite part is getting to hang out with people and getting to do stuff with everyone. If it is directly involving 4-H, my favorite part is getting to just hangout and handle my animals.

Fillmore County 4-H Highlight is brought to you by these fine sponsors...

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? It is a fun experience. If you are a shy person and you are not used to getting out there, 4-H gives you something to do. If you love animals, it is all about animals. If you like art or you like making things, there is a whole area of making things. Every time I hear someone is thinking about joining, I tell them to try. If you don’t like it and it’s not for you, then no harm, no foul; you tried it, and you got the experience of doing it.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? Keeping my family in it. Having my sisters and cousins do it and having my niece and nephew be able to do it. When I have my own kids, I want them to be in 4-H. It is such a fun thing to do when you are in the summer and you do not have anything else to do.

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Tillie Schneider holds a chicken Aug. 24 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Schneider has shown ducks, chickens, geese, turkeys, market goats, dairy goats and dairy cattle.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Tillie Schneider sits with one of her chickens on her head on load out day for 4-H exhibitors at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Schneider hopes to keep her family involved in 4-H including her future children.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Sophie Ehlo walks a cow July 16 in the senior showmanship round robin at the Winona County Fair in St. Charles. Ehlo said 4-H has taught her that hard work pays off

Wabasha County

Lee Siewert | 19 years old

Lake City

Wabasha County

4-H chapter: Gilford Golden Gophers

How many years have you been in 4H? 13 years. What is your involvement in 4-H? I have done dairy project, shop and foods.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. I really like working with dairy animals. I show Holsteins at the Wabasha County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair. It has helped me learn how to work with animals and stay committed to projects I start. I really feel the accomplishment after training an animal to lead and getting to show that animal in the show ring.

What have you learned in 4-H? In 4-H, I have learned how to work with others, how to lead groups and how to take responsibility. The 4-H program has given me many life skills I will use

throughout college and the rest of my career.

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? People should join 4-H because it gives them a chance to get out and meet new people and learn about what you are interested in. Through 4-H you get involved in the community which comes in handy when you want to apply for scholarships and jobs in the future. You have more

experiences and leadership roles to put down on things like scholarship and college applications.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? Being in 4-H has helped me decide I want to pursue a degree in the ag program at the University of Minnesota. Going forward, I will stay involved in 4-H by promoting it and helping future generations get the most out of their experience.

Wabasha County 4-H Highlight is brought to you by these fine sponsors...

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Lee Siewert (right) shows a cow beside his brother Blake July 21 at the Wabasha County Fair in Wabasha. Siewert said 4-H helps students to have more experiences and leadership roles to put on college applications and scholarships.

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Lee Siewert holds a show cow Aug. 24 in the dairy barn at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Siewert plans to pursue a degree in the agriculture program at the University of Minnesota.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Lee Siewert smiles while walking a cow for dairy judging Aug. 24 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Siewert said showing cows has helped him to learn how to work with animals and to stay committed to projects.

Olmsted County

Ross Simpson | 13 years old

How many years have you been in 4-H? Eight years.

What is your involvement in 4-H? I show in the dairy project and meat goat project.

Tell us about your favorite project or activity. My favorite thing is showing livestock because I get to work with animals. I can work with them for many years and get to know more stuff about how to show, what you look for and getting to know the animal’s personality.

What have you learned in 4-H? I have definitely come out of my shell. I used to be kind of a shy kid who followed around my siblings. Now, I am going out and can talk to people. I am not afraid to say something. In 4-H, you can learn a lot of leadership just working with people and talking to people who have similar interests. You can find a whole lot of things to do in 4-H, and you have to work hard at it to get stuff

Why do you think 4-H is important for people to join? Because there is a lot more things than just livestock. You can do photography and videography. You can grow crops, vegetables or fruit. You can do woodworking, aerospace stuff and steel working. There’s a whole lot of stuff you can find.

What do you hope to do with 4-H in the future? I want to become my club president and try to get to the state fair each year and just grow even more as a leader. I will probably come back as a parent and try to get my kids into this.

407 ACRES OF MOWER COUNTY

LYLE TOWNSHIP • LIVE & ONLINE BIDDING

IDDING

Auction Starts Tuesday, September 19, 2023 • 10:00 a.m. No Buyer’s Premium • Location: Lyle American Legion, 112 Grove Street, Lyle, MN To Register: All bidders, live & online, must have a bank letter of credit to receive a bidding number. All

PARCEL #1 - 182.83

TOTAL ACRES - 179.25 TILLABLE - 85.6 CPI

Located in Lyle Township, Section 13, Township 101, Range 018

PARCEL #2 - 56.96

TOTAL ACRES - 38.55 TILLABLE - CPI 84.8

Located in Lyle Township, Section 12, Township 101, Range 018

PARCEL #3 - 107.07

TOTAL SURVEYED ACRES - CPI 66.1

Located in Lyle Township, Section 16 & 21, Township 101, Range 018. This parcel lays along 525th Ave and has great access.

PARCEL #4 - 60.16

TOTAL SURVEYED ACRES

This parcel is located along the Cedar River. Has great recreational potential for hunting, camping & canoeing. The property has diverse species of trees with an abundance of large, mature Black Walnut trees for potential income. The property contains a 66ft easement to give the potential buyer great year-round access.

Sellers: Helen Jahr & James Silbaugh

AUCTIONEERS: Andrew Hamilton, Bill Hilton; Sales Associates: Jeff Thorsen, Bob Grass 130 State Hwy 16, Dexter, MN 55926;

CLERK: Hamilton Auction Company. Like us on Facebook & Instagram to stay up to date on all upcoming sales and listings! www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com • PHONE: 507-584-0133

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Ross Simpson holds a heifer Aug. 24 in the dairy building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Simpson shows in the dairy project and the meat goat project.

Olmsted County 4-H Highlight is brought to you by these fine sponsors...

Sass from page 10

applied. Another problem can occur if the hops are not shredded correctly and do not dry properly.

Eventually, with steady results, a grower can monetize idiosyncratic, verifiable qualities of their hops if they connect with the right brewer.

“Minnesota does have different growing timelines,” Jake said. “You can’t even talk about that until you’ve consistently produced all this year after year, and then you can say, ‘Oh, I know that I consistently have this differentiator within a public variety that you all know about.’”

The hops grow on the family’s land which is a source of pride for Jake. The Sass family began taking over the farm from Jake’s dad and uncle in 2019, completing the transition earlier this year. The farm has been in the family since 1953 when Jake’s grandpa, Elmer, had to drop out of school during WWII in order to run his family farm while his parents went to work for the war effort. At the conclusion of WWII, his parents returned and after a short time it became

apparent that Elmer would need to start his own farm. He attempted to start a farm near Fountain for a few years and then, in 1953 purchased and moved to the ground the family currently operates on.

“It is something really great to be a part of a generational industry,” Jake said. “There’s a lot of industries that talk about a profession where you’re doing something for a higher good, but … (farming is) probably the only industry that involves your whole family.”

The mainstay of the Sass’s business has been beef. For 17 years their customers have been purchasing beef from their family.

Abbey said visiting with customers has helped her know that direct-to-consumer marketing is something their farm needs to continue.

“A motivator to me is that everyone who is eating that beef is truly getting the best quality,” she said. “You truly are providing your local area with unique, consistently great beef.”

Sass page 12

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Jake Sass breaks open a hop cone Aug. 15 on the Sasses’ farm near Chatfield. To test readiness to harvest, Jake takes a cone from a bine, breaks it open and rubs it between his hands, and if his hands become yellow and sticky from the lupulin, the hops are ready.

MONDAY 8:00 am Overnight market cows/bulls 10:00 am Fed cattle, followed by day-delivered market cows & bulls

1:00 pm Dairy cattle, stock cows & breeding bulls followed by feeder cattle

4:00 pm Baby calves, arena 2

TUESDAY 8:00 am Sheep and goats 11:00 am Feeder pigs

WEDNESDAY 10:00 am Hog/Sow/Boar Auction

2:00 pm Fed cattle, followed by market cows and bulls

THURSDAY 10:00 am Special feeder cattle auctions, September - April

FRIDAY Closed Office open 8:00 am – Noon

YARD HOURS

Sunday Noon – 10pm

Monday 6am – 10pm

Tuesday 6am – 10pm

Wednesday 6am – 4pm (Open until 10pm, preceding special Thursday sales ONLY)

Thursday 6am – 4pm

Friday 6am – Noon

Saturday By Appointment

Apples galore

Van Lin Orchards boasts 27,000 trees

BY AMY KYLLO STAFF WRITER

LA CRESCENT

— A winding, narrow paved road wends its way up the ascents of a ridge and brings orchard-going guests to the apple laden, trellised slopes of Van Lin Orchards.

Rick Van Lin is the main owner and proprietor of Van Lin Orchards located in rural La Crescent.

Van Lin Orchards was started by Van Lin’s parents who immigrated from the Netherlands in 1953. In 1959, they purchased the farm and in 1961 planted apple trees. His father had a degree in horticulture from a university in Holland.

Van Lin remembers growing up helping with apple harvest. He started selling apples in his twenties and eventually took over the family

farm.

“There was a need there,” he said. “I was good at sales. ... Not everyone can be a sole proprietor and then not everyone can be an apple grower.”

Van Lin sells his apples to a regional packer as well as co-ops, stores, schools, permanent apple stands and on-farm pick-your-own customers.

“Some people want the smallest little bag and just want to have the experience,” Van Lin said. “(They just) want to be in the orchard. They don’t care about maybe the apples as much, and other people are diehard apple eaters.”

One of the things that Van Lin is most proud of is his goal to provide high-quality apples.

“It’s very nice when we’re at the end of the

year; you get a lot of compliments,” he said.

Though the majority of the apple volume is sold wholesale, Van Lin said the retail sales result in three to five times the profit above wholesale. However, he does not do on-farm apples sales just for the profit.

“Another reason why I’m doing retail is to have a greater presence in the community,” he said. “There’s no

pick-your-own in this area, and people really enjoy it.”

Van Lin’s favorite apple is a new variety named First Kiss. First Kiss was developed by the University of Minnesota.

The apple features sweet and tart tasting notes packaged in a vibrant red skin with an

all around crisp crunch when bitten.

Inside the farm store, décor, caramel apples, branded merchandise, apple cider, pre-picked apples, quilts and honey are available for sale. Many of the products in the store come from local artists and crafters.

In the future, Van Lin said he would like

to increase his on-farm apple sales.

Besides the orchard and farm store, there are other activities. Kids can play in equipment repurposed from a fast-food play area, and the whole family can go through the corn maze. This year

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Rick Van Lin smiles Sept. 1 by apples at Van Lin Orchards near La Crescent. Van Lin Orchards was started by Van Lin’s parents in 1961.

Apples rest in crates Sept. 1 at Van Lin Orchards near La Crescent. Pre-picked apples are available for purchase in the store at Van Lin Orchards.

Van Lin page 15