DID YOU KNOW
Welcome to our list of interesting facts about farming and our farm. We add to this list, so come back periodically to learn more. The most recent addition will always be at the top.
Facts about Farming in the U.S.
In October 2024, Washington fruit growers, including Gebber Farms, together donated nearly 300,000 pounds of fresh Washington apples to people impacted by two of the most devastating hurricanes of our time, Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Seven 42,000-pound shipments of Washington apples were shipped to Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina as part of hurricane relief efforts, which were coordinated by Feeding the Northwest. Gebbers Farms Warehouse Manager Johnny Gebbers said, “When we got the call about helping…our team immediately jumped into action to pack six truckloads of Washington-grown apples (to donate).” Read more here.
Facts about Farming in the U.S.
Apple trees take 4-5 years to produce their first fruit. A standard size apple tree starts bearing fruit 8-10 years after it is planted. Gebbers Farms grows and cares for hundreds of thousands of apple trees (conventional and organic) on more than 10,000 acres in one of the largest contiguous apple orchards in the world.
According to the latest Census of Agriculture (2022), 3.4 million U.S. producers farmed 880 million acres that generated food, fuel and fiber for Americans and people around the world — collectively producing over $300 billion worth of agricultural products. (USDA).
The number of American farms and ranches has steadily declined since 1982, most recently down 7% between 2017 and 2022. Family-owned and operated farms account for 95% of the 1.9 million U.S. farms and operate 84% of the farmland. The average age of an American farmer is 58.1 years old. (USDA).
A free-standing, or free-form, apple tree is one with no guidewires or trellis wires to shape the tree. This is what most of us are accustomed to seeing. Today, apple, pear and cherry growers, including Gebbers Farms, use different types of trellis systems for their unique benefits. The tall Spindle trellising is safer and more convenient to prune and pick. It also allows more sunshine to reach the apples, resulting in larger fruit. About 1,450 trees can be planted on one acre using the spindle trellis system.
Per capita consumption of fresh apples in the United States been relatively flat since 2000. Americans eat about 3-5 fewer apples a year than our European counterparts. That may not sound like a lot, but if every American ate 3 to 5 more apples a year, American apple growers would sell millions of more pounds of apples and keep more apple farmers in business.
Thinking of starting your own apple farm? In 2020, it cost about $50,000/acre to do so. This includes the cost of trees, water rights, land, and even 4 years of pre-productive costs. It’s a significant investment, but it’s also a testament to the value and potential of the apple farming industry.