KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV News) —Tennessee is expected to harvest about 9 million pounds of apples this fall, including fruit from Scott’s Orchard, a family operation celebrating its 125th year.
Located along the Alabama-Tennessee border, the 165-acre operation is one of Tennessee’s largest apple orchards and grows 18 varieties. The family has expanded the operation over the years, and Will Scott says diversification helps keep the farm profitable.
“We have ten different business units here. We try to stay as diversified as possible to make it through those tough years. Whether it’s apples, peaches, row crops. We’ve got a big agritourism operation where we do field trips and pick-your-own and ticketed events.”
Growing apples also comes with challenges, including bitter rot, a disease that currently has no fungicide for control. Scott’s Orchard is working with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture by growing test varieties to help address the problem.
The business also partners with UT Extension on farming practices and the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture on marketing and direct sales.
“It seems like farms who are able to move from being a price taker and a commodity market to becoming a price maker through direct marketing and value-added products are better able to sustain themselves and even thrive,” said Megan Leffew with the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture.
As apple harvest continues into fall, Scott’s Orchard is preparing for more seasonal agritourism opportunities and its 126th year.
