Meet Your Grower
Meet Jim Fleming. He is an orchardist who did not even start farming until he retired from the job he had held for 40 years! But his career in agriculture began way back in 1962 when he and his wife Sandy moved from Kitsap County (Washington) to Orondo (Washington) to work for Auvil Fruit Company. After three years, Jim took over the warehouse operations and his wife supervised the warehouse employees. In 1980, he and his family relocated to Vantage (Washington) where they planted new orchards and built Controlled Atmosphere (CA) facilities for Auvil Fruit. By the time he retired in 1992, there were 500 acres of orchards in Vantage. He wasn’t ready to slow down, so he launched his second career as a full-time farmer.
The Fleming family currently farm 46 acres of apples, as well as 8 acres of cherries. The apple acreage is divided equally into two varieties; Fuji and Cameo. Jim’s late brother Doyle helped develop the Cameo variety and Jim is a firm believer in their taste and quality. His son Scott and daughter Laurie are partners in the orchard and Scott will take over the farm when Jim retires from his second career.
The biggest change Jim has seen in the industry since 1962 is the evolution of the packing procedures and equipment. He said, “When I first began, apples were still packed in wood boxes and each apple was wrapped by hand.” He added, “The varieties have changed too. Back then, farmers only grew Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Winesaps.”
Jim’s concern for the future of farming is a lack of labor due to increased government regulations and new immigration laws. Because of this concern he has planted his cherry trees so a moving platform can be implemented into orchard operations. The platform allows for older people, or those who cannot climb a ladder, to work in his orchard. Additionally, he has planted his apple trees in an “A-Frame” shape, which is a modified version of the Tatura system. This makes a stronger Tatura and shapes the trees at the right angle for ladders which allows for easier and quicker work in the orchard (see photo).
“Farming offers a great lifestyle, even if it’s not very lucrative at times. There is always something to do,” said Jim. His favorite part of farming is the variety of jobs year-round. He also likes the flexibility which allows him to spend time with his family.
Jim attributes his success to his attention to detail. Since they are a small operation they have time to do everything right and produce the best quality apples. In fact, the Fleming family was named “Grower of the Year” by the Good Fruit Grower magazine in 1998.
View Archived Visit an Orchard articles:
Learn about Washington Orchards:
- Regions
While our growing regions appear quite dissimilar, they all share ideal growing conditions -- weather, soil and water. - Seasons
Each season of the year plays a role in growing apples. - From Orchard to You
From pruning to your home, learn about the process for preparing apples for you. - Core Facts
Learn about crop facts, care and handling, pesticides and more. - Washington Apple History
In the fertile valleys and plateaus of America's far west, growers tend orchards that produce the world's best apples.