First Generation
Dan Nicholson grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada. In 19** he became a US citizen to serve as a * in World War 1. After the war he moved to Peshastin, Washington because?
Second Generation
Born in 19** Don was raised on the farm. He joined the Airforce and was a pilot in World War 2. After the war he returned to Peshastin to farm?
Third Generation
Born in 1947, Dennis grew up on the farm, farming along side his father and grandfather. After graduating high school Dennis attended University of Washington where he got a medical degree and joined the Navy. He fought in the Vietnam war as a head medic. Returning from the war Dennis lived in Seattle and sold medical supplies. Doing so he met his wife Nancy and convinced her to leave the city life and become a farmer.
In 1987 Dennis and Nancy returned to the farm inspiring to be full time tree fruit growers and raise their three children in a rural setting. They took over as third generation on the farm however, it was the beginning of an era where tree fruit return prices were below the growers break even point. Struggling for many years, Nancy held an off the farm job and they brainstormed ways to bring in extra income. In 199* Nancy and her children began selling boxes of fruit on the bed of a flatbed truck, on the side of the highway next to the orchard. Every summer they sold a little more than the previous. While the neighboring town of Leavenworth was growing rapidly in tourism, "fruit stands" all around the valley became more popular as people traveled from all over the US to visit Leavenworth. Nancy began to expand the fruit stand adding more permanent structures, and eventually was able to quit her job to work full time on the farm along side her husband and at home with their children. Finally prices were going up, farmers were seeing some returns, and ag tourism was becoming the new thing. Dennis continued to manage the orchard and Nancy continued to run the fruit stand for the next twenty years.
Currently Dennis and Nancy are enjoying the early stages of retirement. While they are still very much involved in the farm and fruit stand, they have bought their dream Airstream camp trailer and try to spend the summers traveling. They know that the farm is in good hands.
In 1987 Dennis and Nancy returned to the farm inspiring to be full time tree fruit growers and raise their three children in a rural setting. They took over as third generation on the farm however, it was the beginning of an era where tree fruit return prices were below the growers break even point. Struggling for many years, Nancy held an off the farm job and they brainstormed ways to bring in extra income. In 199* Nancy and her children began selling boxes of fruit on the bed of a flatbed truck, on the side of the highway next to the orchard. Every summer they sold a little more than the previous. While the neighboring town of Leavenworth was growing rapidly in tourism, "fruit stands" all around the valley became more popular as people traveled from all over the US to visit Leavenworth. Nancy began to expand the fruit stand adding more permanent structures, and eventually was able to quit her job to work full time on the farm along side her husband and at home with their children. Finally prices were going up, farmers were seeing some returns, and ag tourism was becoming the new thing. Dennis continued to manage the orchard and Nancy continued to run the fruit stand for the next twenty years.
Currently Dennis and Nancy are enjoying the early stages of retirement. While they are still very much involved in the farm and fruit stand, they have bought their dream Airstream camp trailer and try to spend the summers traveling. They know that the farm is in good hands.
Fourth Generation
Danny moved to the farm with his parents when he was 8 years old. He immediately began driving tractors, 4wheelers, dirt bikes, trucks, and working along side his dad in the orchard.
After high school Danny decided to leave the farm and pursue his passion of working on vehicles. Years later he returned back to Washington and began coming home every weekend to help out around the orchard. During that time he rekindled with his high school sweetheart Michelle, and they eventually got married in 2014. Together they purchased a house on the orchard, and Danny knew in his heart he wanted to take over the operation. With Dennis having plans to retire in the next couple years, the decision was made to have Michelle learn the day-to-day operations of the orchard. Michelle shadowed Dennis learning how to manage the farm which included pruning, spraying, mowing, irrigation, harvesting, and of course, doing all the bookwork. Danny continued to work on cars, but also upkeep on all the farm equipment, and driving tractor during harvest. In 2018 Danny and Michelle completely took over operations of Nicholson Orchards and began running the farm under their own operation, DM Orchards. In these past five years, Danny and Michelle have made great improvements to the orchards as they continue to learn and grow as farmers. Farming is definitely in their blood. In 2015 Danny and Michelle welcomed their first daughter, Raylan, into the world. Raylan works along side her mom every day. You'll see her running through the trees with her dogs, helping out auntie at the fruit stand, and taste testing product for quality assurance reasons. She is the first fifth generation of Nicholson. |
Anna is the youngest daughter of Dennis and Nancy. She grew up running around the orchard, selling lemonade at the fruit stand, and eventually working at the fruit stand when she was old enough.
After high school, Anna was ready to pursue life outside the farm. A few years went by of trying out different jobs and attending college. Eventually in spring 2017 hearing her parents talk about retirement and potentially closing the fruit stand for good, Anna felt inspired to jump in, with plans to expand and rebrand. Anna quit her job and began to take over the fruit stand that summer. Entering year three, in spring 2019, a decision was made to remove all of the Golden Delicious apple trees. This left about a two acre open space directly behind the fruit stand. Anna immediately saw potential with all this land and played with the idea of growing a garden. She decided to go all in, and got to work prepping the ground to have a garden, pumpkin patch, and flower beds. The summer of 2019 was a time of growth for Anna. Having never seriously gardened before, she learned how to start seeds, plant a variety of different vegetables, and care for the crops and soil. The garden blew her expectations, producing beautiful bountiful crops. Anna ended the season feeling grateful and inspired to continue on and keep growing. You can find Anna daily working at the fruit stand, see her out in the gardens early mornings or late evenings. Riding her 4wheeler through the orchard with her pup Timber. She runs all social medias and has a weekly booth at the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market. |