The Peaches Are Here!

It’s a pleasure just to pick up a fruit that is so soft and fuzzy. If you’re lucky, you take a bite and the sweet juice just drips off your chin. I have been waiting for this since winter; everyone has been asking…… the Peaches are here!

I am being selfish this week as I write this article. Selfish in that I get all this great information before you, the reader, and I might get to the farms before you. I have contacted several growers that we keep in touch with to ask each to give me and update on their peach harvest. I give you this informational update for your use.

Diebold’s Orchard in Benton, Missouri has already sold through their first pick and has started picking again. When asked, Mrs. Killion of Flippin’s Orchard in Troy, Tennessee says, “We have some good peaches of good size and taste.” Pioneer Orchard in Jackson, Missouri confirmed the peaches will be ready July 7^th. Mr. Swihart of Swihart Peach Orchard in Leachville, Arkansas told us, “We have a good crop of peaches on the trees that will probably be ready after July 7^th.” Cates Orchard in Dudley, Missouri has reported that their peaches are ready now.

When I called on Bader Farms of Campbell, Missouri I found out they are making an addition to their operation. They have built a new produce market for wholesale customers and will continue to sale retail from the front. The manager of the project, Cody Bader, says the market is up and running. Mrs. Denise Bader added, “The peaches will be ready on the 4^th of July.”

No update on this sweet fruit should go published without mentioning a little history about peaches in the area. That includes mention of the Campbell Experiment Field. As written in the Ag Experiment Station Special Report #363, A History of the Department of Horticulture (July 1988), “One noteworthy benefit from the Campbell Experiment Field was the initiation of the peach industry in southeastern Missouri. When the Campbell Field was established in 1937, there were fewer than five acres of peaches in the Crowley Ridge area. By 1953, this had increased to 2,000 acres, and since then, to more than 3,000 acres.” So, for a brief time, we had an experiment station in southeast Missouri that augmented the State Experiment Station in southwest Missouri.

From those humble beginnings the peach industry has continued to develop in southeast Missouri. Although the growers progress through both great years and years like last year, that are not so good, we can be thankful that they continue to produce this healthy and deliciously fresh product. If you are interested in heading to an orchard to pick your own produce, you can access the Missouri Fruit and Vegetable Growers Database for more information from the Dunklin County Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/dunklin/. You will also see a link to AgriMissouri, a guide to Missouri’s farm products. Either of these links will give you helpful information in finding local produce.

For those of you who have been yearning for that fresh, sweet taste then this weekend will be a great opportunity for you to sample some of Missouri’s fresh produce. Have a great 4^th of July.

Helpful Information: The Melons are Ready As Well!

Helpful Sources: Missouri Fruit and Vegetable Growers Database at http://extension.missouri.edu/dunklin/; AgriMissouri Buyers Guide at http://www.agrimissouri.com/buyersguide.html; Ag Experiment Station Special Report #363, A History of the Department of Horticulture. (July 1988).

The Extension office is located in Kennett, Missouri at 101 South Main Street (the old bank) on the 2^nd floor. Open Monday – Friday or you can call 573-888-4722 if you have a question. University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all.

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Sarah Denkler, Horticulture Educator
University of Missouri Extension
P.O. Box 160, Kennett, MO 63857
573-888-4722 Denklers@missouri.edu