SPEER — Tanners Orchard, a family-owned and operated business for five generations, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.
The story of the Tanners and their apple passion stems all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Walde, Switzerland. That is where Rudolph Tanner ran his family’s apple orchard until 1906 when he set off to explore the new world of North America. Rudolph and his family settled in Deer Creek, where Rudolph and his wife, Mina, raised their 11 children, as well as countless apples.
In 1947, Rudolph and Mina’s 11th child, John Tanner, took over the orchard and moved it to an 80-acre farm close to Speer, along with his wife, Margaret, and their four children. Tanner’s sons, Harold and Richard, took the orchard over from their father and managed it for 30 years. Now the orchard is owned by Richard and his wife, Marilyn, their two children, Jennifer and Craig, as well as Jennifer’s husband, Ben.
“I’ve always thought we were an apple orchard just trying to making a living,” said Richard. “But people are happy that we are here. It amazes me just how much people love and appreciate what we do.”
One attraction that keeps people appreciating Tanners Orchard is the Apple Bin Bakery, home to its famous apple cider donuts. The bakery was added to the orchard in 1989.
Families also love the Back 40 Fun Acres, consisting of a corn maze, playground and miniature golf course, as well as farm animals such as goats, ducks, llamas and rabbits.
Another attraction is the U-Pick apples and pumpkins. At the start of September, there is a wagon which carries guests to the 11,000 U-Pick apple trees with 17 different types of apples to pick from.
In late September, the U-Pick pumpkins are in season. A wagon carries guests to the 20-acre pumpkin patch where they may chose from six different types of pumpkins.
“Unfortunately, this year Mother Nature’s cold frost in early April has ruined the apple crops, so there will not be a U-Pick Apple,” Tanner said.
“Tanners Orchard will still have apples, but they just won’t be from Tanners this year,” he added. “We are getting help from all over; it’s kind of neat to see how many friends we have in the industry.”
For details on Tanners Orchard, visit www.tannersorchard.com.