Greenville — With fall comes the harvest, providing the much needed sustenance for the winter. The first of that harvest often comes in bags of apples, boxes of donuts, and gallons of cider. 

Michigan boasted 35,000 family-run orchards in the early 20th century. In 2020, that number had fallen to around 825. These are becoming few and far between, despite being a staple of Michigan’s fall offerings. I don’t think people are sick of bobbing for apples or are really that scared of the gluten in a cinnamon-sugar donut. The problem is: Who will take over the family farm?

Take Klackle Orchards, for example—a hometown favorite for generations of Michiganders. It’s once-quaint orchard started out in the late 1970s, selling produce with a roadside stand running on the honor system, and grew into the 500-acre treasure trove, creating core memories for families each fall. Their delicious apple selections, fresh donuts and cider, hay-bale rides, extensive petting zoo, fair games, corn maze, and arts and crafts tables and tents, providing something for everyone. They even had Laura the Elephant, a more than memorable treat for Michigan kids. Though an elephant at a rural orchard may shock some Karens, even the PC police would have a hard time criticizing the care Klackle provided its animals. 

Raymond Klackle first bought the orchard and managed it until his sudden passing in 1975. His son Steve was studying civil engineering at Michigan Tech and took over the farm the following year. Steve turned the operation into a Michigan classic, enjoyed until the family sold it in 2019.

I asked Steve’s son, Ryan, why no one stepped forward to take it on. He said, “You have to have passion for agricultural work. My dad worked 18 hours a day, six days a week. It takes a lot of passion for that kind of work”.

I asked him his thoughts on the sale of his family’s business to the boutique orchard Frugthaven. His positivity reflected his family’s humble farmers roots: “Some people were sad that it wasn’t Klackle anymore, but no matter who purchased it, it just wasn’t going to be. Frugthaven is trying their own thing and is keeping the land agricultural. They’ve sold some parcels to other orchards and dairy farmers, so that’s nice to see. It could’ve been sold to developers for housing.”

While Klackle deserves its flowers, it turns out Frugthaven is actually a better outcome than most of these end-of-era farms and orchards experience. Most of these generations-old orchards sell at auctions and get picked up by developers who turn them into a quick profit.

Highway traffic picks up through once quiet prairies. Developers divide the land with housing developments and push farmers out. The ones who are still left, anyway. According to research from the American Farmland Trust, nearly half a million acres of Michigan farmland is under threat of being lost to urban conversion by 2040. Many Michiganders have already felt this shift in their towns, as developers pave the way to places like Ann Arbor and Traverse City. 

In the quest of higher margins, the communities lose their heritage, their iconic family friendly traditions, and their stronghold. 

There are still long-running, prized family-owned orchards left throughout the state. Post Family Farms, Robinette’s, Well’s, Wiards, Schwallier Country Basket, and Cranes are just a few. The oldest operations all seem to have an antiquated namesake. Ryan Klackle was quick to point out that the family-run orchards still left are cherished by those who are part of the business. Never did it feel like competition for them. It was kinship: If one does well, it supports the rest. 

Time may march, and the best of family-ran orchards may close. While the Klackle family should enjoy retirement after providing so much for their community, Michiganders enjoy the beautiful family-run orchards we have left. Supporting local culture is just a car ride away. 

Devinn Dakohta is a contributing writer for Michigan Enjoyer. Follow her on Instagram @Devinn.Dakohta and X @DevinnDakohta.