Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Heald.
Hi Troy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We started out on a journey to grow apples in 2009. I previously worked 25 years as a IT Sales Manager in Minneapolis and Tracy stayed home to raise the family. After the kids were old enough to go to school we decided it was time for a life change…..so we bought 66 acres with no real farming background and took a leap of faith. We acquired knowledge of growing fruit through industry groups, books, classes and trial and error. From 2009 until 2019 I still worked full time in Minneapolis, Tracy worked part time jobs and they both worked nights and weekends with their children planting 6,000 apple trees & caring for, growing veggies and berries and selling them at 3 different farmers markets waiting for the apple trees to produce fruit. With hope that a crop of apples would finally be ready, in 2014 we built a 6,000 square foot retail market and bakery, and open the doors to the public in mid August 2015 offering apples, fall activities, donuts and homemade pies.
Today our kids have grown up and things look a little different from 2015. Our son Taylor works full time in apple production and has developed a passion for making hard apple cider at the farm. Our 2 daughters, Tristin and Tiana work at the farm when they can but have moved onto other careers after college. Over the years the farm has evolved and today it includes 8,000 apple trees, 5 acres of berries, 1/2 acre of rhubarb and 3 high tunnel growing raspberries. In addition to growing fruit, we also offer the community fall family fun activities which include a corn maze, jumping pillow, zip lines, wagon rides pedal carts and other fun family activities. Our bakery has become well known for its homemade pies, hand pies and other fresh baked treats. And with the addition of fresh pressed cider and Taylor’s delicious hard cider it’s the place to be in the fall in Alexandria.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many challenges along the way. Weather related challenges are always a concern. Hail, late frost, early freeze, winter kill, and bad fall weather all impact the bottom line significantly. Trying to balance work and family life has been tough as well. Living where you work and working with family daily can be very rewarding but can also put strains on relationships when we are overworked.
Another struggle we have every year is trying to find enough seasonal workers for our fall harvest and farm activites season. It seems to get. more difficult every year. So going forward this will be a major challenge.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We started this business to give our community something we have always enjoyed with our family, a fun apple orchard experience to unplug and just spend quality time together outdoors. We wanted to create a yearly event for families to come out and enjoy the outdoors and make lasting memories and traditions. Every fall we offer families a relaxed environment to hang out and experience the “orchard vibe”. They can come and walk the corn maze which is themed different every year. Other activities include: jumping pillow, zip lines, bubble hut, wagon rides, pedal cart track, corn pit, bazooka ball, u-pick apples and raspberries, fresh cider and hard cider, and delicious homemade pies, caramel apples and other treats to enjoy here at the farm or take home to enjoy later.
We have become well known for our made from scratch fruit pie, savory pies and cookies. And everyone enjoys coming in for our Chicken Pot Pie hand pie and strawberry rhubarb hand pie for lunch paired with a glass of Raspberry Rhubarb Hard Cider on tap. Our flakey buttery crust just can’t be beat, and its all grown, made and baked right here at the farm. And to top it off you can purchase take and bake pies to take home for dinner and dessert!
Our quaint gift shop offers something for everyone. From delicious mixes and snacks to home decor and unique gift ideas along with fun toys for kids of all ages.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
We knew that getting into farming was not for the faint of heart and was not going to be an easy task. Creating an environment that fosters family togetherness, gets people outside for fresh air and exercise, helps to connect our community, and encourages learning about where and how food is grown have been fun to watch. We have created a strong family owned, sustainable business in our small community that people come back to every year to make memories, have fun and support local agriculture…..we are very lucky!
Pricing:
- Fruit Pies – $23
- Savory Pies – $28
- Fall Farm Activites Admission – $16
- Hard Cider – $15, 4 pack bottles
- Apples – $10 – $16, 1/2 peck bag
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.countryblossomfarm.com
- Instagram: countryblossomfarmllc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/countryblossomfarm
