"Let's create an apple orchard." That's what we, Bob and
Donna Atha, decided to do during the winter 1981. We had purchased
ten acres in the city limits of Marshalltown to build a home when
we became closer to retirement. We both love to plant and grow
things, but we said, "Wait a minute; if we're going to Nant
and maintain ten acres, let's do it with something that will bring
in some revenue.
In 1986, we bought another ten acres and increased our plantings
and started working on our building to get it arranged for a roadside
market. Our property is in the city limits but we're still out
in the country so it is an ideal location.
Now some 15 years into our project, we have ourselves a real orchard.
Believe it or not, we're still having a great deal of fun. The
fall, of course, is our busy time, and it's really enjoyable to
have created an orchard and see hundreds of families and many
school bus loads of kids come out to the farm and enjoy themselves.
We have constructed a country-style shop and an apple-processing
facility and have purchased many types of equipment. Each fall
a few thousand Iowans and others from around the country visit
our shop to enjoy the orchard beauty and to pick their own apples,
or to purchase apples that have already been picked. Fall decorations,
carefully blended apple cider or hand-crafted gift items, as well
as dried floral arrangements are also available. Donna creates many original craft
items during Iowa's cold and blustery winters.
The Appleberry Farm