By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

PARIS, Ky. — There is no better time to buy fresh produce, as so many fruits and vegetables are at the peak of perfection and Kentucky has more and more venues in which to get those goods.

With more than 100 farmers’ markets, coupled with the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s (KFB) Roadside Markets and a growing number of on-farm orchards as well as large chain stores that are carrying more local foods, the opportunity to buy locally grown produce is greater than ever before.

Reed Valley Orchard is a classic example of a family farm that has become a place for other families to get produce and participate in a host of activities throughout the growing season. These types of operations not only allow for fun but provide a learning experience for those far removed from the farm.
Trudie Reed and her husband, Dana, began the business in 1988, long before diversification was talked about and during a time when the farm economy was driven by tobacco. The landscape is different now, but Reed Valley has been a force in the orchard business for nearly 25 years.

Patrons can pick for themselves any of the 45 varieties of apples, as well as pumpkins and a large variety of berries, peaches and pears. There is also an on-farm market that displays the fruit, crafts, edible treats and gift boxes for shipping.

The orchard features a nature trail allowing guests to often see wildlife. Trudie Reed said the farm was purchased in hopes of raising a few fruit trees and to have a place to park the family’s fertilizer trucks, which they used for another business at the time.

But things have a way of changing – and soon, the Reeds were involved in a full-time orchard. “Long story short, we planted our first 500 trees and weren’t going to plant any more – ha, ha, ha,” she said.

The hobby grew to the point that she left her job of 23 years to help run the business. But both she and Dana grew up in families that owned orchards, so this was nothing new to them. Ironically, neither knew of the other’s background in the business until after they had married.

That background has served them well, as others getting into the business have sought advice from the Reeds. “We learn from everyone and we’ve traveled out of the state to visit other orchards. The more people you visit, the more ideas you get, and it’s fun to do that,” she said. “I think it’s fun to see people come here and look at our orchard.”

Reed tells people the business is hard work and it’s not going to happen overnight. She also says planting many varieties of fruits has helped the business grow.

The “buy local” movement has played an important role in the success of Reed Valley as it has in other orchards, and the couple have taken advantage of marketing programs such as Kentucky Proud and KFB Roadside Market.
“The Kentucky Proud program helped me to be brave enough to advertise on radio and TV and on billboards, because they paid for half of it,” Reed said. “I would not have done this had I not been given the opportunity through the Kentucky Proud program.”

She noticed a real difference in the amount of traffic coming to the orchard after advertising, emphasizing the business is a bit off the beaten path. “I was shocked the first time we aired a TV commercial. People just came out of the woodwork,” she said.

After their funding for the spots was used up, the Reeds did not buy more TV advertising because of the expense, but the previous experience showed them how valuable a marketing program can be. Reed said the same holds true with the KFB Roadside Market program, noting how instrumental it was in getting an on-farm market started.

She feels the local food movement will continue as customers convey to her how much they like knowing where their food comes from and how fresh and nutritious it is.

The Reed Valley Orchard is open from the first of June to the end of November. For more information, go to www.reedvalleyorchard.com or call 859-987-6480. The orchard is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays.