Producer

We are six small farms that work together, sharing resources, equipment, knowledge, expertise, marketing and sales. OPMA was officially formed in March of 2006. Over the years, we have cultivated a close working relationship between the farms and our Co-op for the benefit of our consumers. We believe that as a collective we have much more to offer our customers than we ever did as individual farms. We have forged strong connections with our markets and have developed a reputation for excellent quality fruit and produce, as well as customer service and delivery. OPMA works quickly to deliver from tree to the consumer, and this makes it possible for us to guarantee our products. If there is any question about the condition, quality, or freshness of any item we deliver, we will replace it or otherwise make it right for the buyer. The naturally warm, sunny climate of the Okanogan makes it possible for us to grow some of the best quality fruit and produce available anywhere in the world.

Apple Cart Fruit is owned and operated by Michael Simon. He has operated along the Okanogan River in Tonasket, WA since 1978. Apple Cart is a certified organic orchard featuring multiple varieties of apples, peaches, cherries, and apricots. Among the varieties of cherries offered are Rainier, Bing, and Lapin cherries and well as tart pie cherries. Sweet, juicy apricots and peaches in multiple varieties follow after the cherries. In the fall several kinds of apples are available such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Cameo, and heirloom varieties such as Arkansas Black and Yellow Newtown Pippin. In 2013 the neighboring River Willow Farm was leased from Norm and Diana Weddle to add to the acreage and varieties of fruit. River Willow and Apple Cart Fruit were two of the founding farms of OPMA. Recently Apple Cart has started producing wonderful dried apricots and began marketing them in 2016. Apple Cart Fruit carefully stewards its land along the river bank and is not only organic but environmentally conscious in its land use.

Filaree Fruit is a small diverse orchard located on a bench of land above the Okanogan River valley. After more than 30 years as a certified organic farm, Filaree has developed a rich living soil and large healthy trees. The ten acres of Filaree Fruit are tended using a variation of swidden agriculture, wherein crops are grown in long rotations of fruit, nut, and shelter trees. These rotations are interrupted with shorter periods of use as smaller garden plots and pasture. Over time this system has proven effective for producing commercially viable quantities of marketable crops. It also offers some of the myriad other benefits of a forest, including pleasant habitat for humans and other animals, firewood and lumber, local climate moderation. Perhaps most importantly, this system also builds the soil through an increase in organic matter and soil life. Filaree Fruit currently offers more than 30 varieties of heirloom apples, beginning in mid-July with Vista Bellas, Nickajacks and King Davids in the late summer, and Winesaps and Arkansas Blacks through late fall. Peaches are ready from mid-July through September, along with nectarines, and several varieties of plums. Please check in often because something new is ripening every week. Since 2010 Filaree Fruit has been owned and worked by JC and Amber Kauffman, along with their daughter Hazel. They plan to continue the farm's tradition of growing beautiful fruit while having a fun time tending it.

Grandpa’s Home Place is a 107-year-old farm owned and operated by Jim and Sandee Freese. It was established when Jim’s grandfather moved to Pogue Flat Road near Omak, Washington, in 1910 and is one of the few pioneer farms still run by the same family. God’s grace, sustainable practices, and hard work have maintained this family legacy. The 60-acre family farm grows both organic and “tenderly tended” fruit. Organic Bartlett, Bosc, and D’Anjou pears, Skeena and Staccato cherries, as well as many varieties of organic and heritage apples are grown here. There are now many varieties of delicious conventional and organic fruit, including more than 17 varieties of apples and four pear varieties, many of which are heirloom varieties. One of the heirloom apples, “Golden Russet,” stands out in particular. It is one of England’s favorites, and when it has also become a favorite of people who have taste-tested it on the farm. Grandpa's Home Place also has a unique calling: preserving heirloom apple varieties for future generations to enjoy. They have more than 300 heirloom varieties on their farm. When the trees are ready to harvest, all the different apples growing in the orchard are reminiscent of jewels or Christmas ornaments hanging on the trees! Each apple has its own characteristic and taste. Many of these apples are good for making hard cider. Guided walking tours of the orchard are available for groups of four or more. Jim and Sandee love to have people visit their farm so they can share the wonders of their legacy of “old-fashioned quality you can trust and taste!”

David Morgan and Karen Beller of Bunny Laine Fruit grow certified organic apples, peaches, and pears, as well as organic blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. We have recently also added Whitestone Mountain Orchard and M & A Orchards to our co-op, making us a co-op of 6 family farms!