Announcing the 2025 Apple Grower of the Year Winners

The Apple Grower of the Year award recognizes growers who have reached outstanding levels of success through their efforts in innovative production, marketing, horticultural, and management practices. These high standards have been in place for nearly four decades. Today, American Fruit Grower congratulates Jim Engelsma on being named the 2025 Apple Grower of the Year.

Engelsma is the 37th recipient of the American Fruit Grower^SM Apple Grower of the Year, presented annually by the publication and parent company Meister Media Worldwide and sponsored since 2015 by Valent U.S.A.

As President of Engelsma’s Apple Barn in Walker, MI, Engelsma, 60, has set standards with his multileader high-density production systems, award-winning cider business, and mentorship of fellow growers.

“To be where I’m at right now and to realize that I’ve joined a group of people — past recipients, many of whom I know — it’s humbling to be here today,” Engelsma says. “I have to look backward and see how those giants in the industry took the time to mentor me and lift me and to help me grow to where I’m at now. Some of these men and women are still in my lives and are still mentoring me. My debt of gratitude can only be repaid by passing this along to the next generation of fruit growers.”

Engelsma, a third-generation farmer, purchased the family farm from his father, Jim Sr., in 2008. He and wife Becky have five children and nine grandchildren. Daughter Bridget runs the cidermaking business, which boasts a record seven state titles, and has assumed daily operations of the 78-acre orchard from her dad, who has been working full time with Nutrien Ag Solutions since 2015.

“Jim Engelsma is known among his peers for his family-centric farming operation, high-density orchards, and award-winning apple cider,” Vince Restucci, Tree Fruit Market Segment Manager at Valent U.S.A., says. “Jim is dedicated to producing high-quality apples, and he embraces new technology with the goal of improving efficiency and profitability. We are honored to recognize him as the 2025 Apple Grower of the Year.”

In addition to Engelsma, three apple growers are recognized as regional winners by American Fruit Grower and Valent U.S.A.:

East Region — Joy Cline (Farm Manager/COO, Bear Mt. Orchards, Aspers, PA)

Midwest/Mountain States Region — Benjamin Schilling (Owner, Schilling Family Farms, Eau Claire, MI; Mick Klug Farms, St. Joseph, MI)

West Region — Cass and Mac Gebbers (Owners [brothers], Gebbers Farms, Brewster, WA)

Stay tuned for more coverage on this year’s Apple Grower of the Year winners.