Introducing Your 2026 Apple Grower of the Year

There must be something in the water in and around Waterport, NY. Robert (Bobby) Brown III, co-owner and the eighth generation of Orchard Dale Fruit Co. in Waterport, is the 38th recipient of the American Fruit Grower^SM Apple Grower of the Year award.

American Fruit Grower^® and Western Fruit Grower^®, published by Meister Media Worldwide, present the honor annually. Valent U.S.A. has sponsored the program since 2015.

New York now accounts for six Apple Growers of the Year: Brown, Roderick Farrow (2017), Jeff Crist (2007), Darrel Oakes (2004), George Lamont (1997), and Roscoe Crist (1993). Only Washington, with 14 winners, has fared better at the state level.

Four of those winning New York orchards have operated in an 8-mile radius within the Lake Ontario Fruit Belt, the southern shore region between Buffalo and Rochester. Brown and Farrow are based in Waterport. Farrow had bought his farm in 2009 from Lamont, who died in 2020. Oakes farmed in nearby Medina until closing after the 2024 season.

“Everybody’s pretty much a big family in the industry,” Brown says. “We all like to help each other out, pat each other on the back.”

The June/July print issues of American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower will feature Brown on its cover. The publications will formally present the award to Brown on July 17 at the Orleans County Apple Social.

Brown, who turns 42 this month, represents a long heritage of his family’s farm, established in 1804. He grew up on the grounds of Orchard Dale and, upon graduating from Cornell University in 2006, has helped run the business and its 400 acres of apples. Over the last 20 years he has had the privilege to work side by side with his uncle, Eric Brown, and father, Robert (Bob) Brown II, who passed away in November. Bobby’s wife, Beth, entered the business in 2013, becoming an integral part of their management team.

“In an industry filled with amazing stories of multi-generational apple families, eighth-generation grower Bobby Brown and the farm established in 1804 stand out,” Jim Bair, President and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, says. “But Bobby is not one to rest on family laurels. His support for research, IFTA, and food safety prove his commitment to the industry and his fellow growers. Bobby was one of the first growers I met when I came to USApple. He impressed me then — and still does today.”

Brown serves as a role model for the entire apple industry, according to Michael Keller, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist with Valent U.S.A. His leadership has included roles with USApple, New York Apple Association, Farm Credit East, Lake Ontario Fruit (Acting President currently), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Horticultural Society, and the New York State Apple Research Development Program (Chairman currently).

“He realizes that we all need each other for the western New York apple industry to thrive and survive these uncertain times,” Keller says. “Bobby is always one the first people to step up when issues arise, and he often takes point on many of these challenges. I think he believes that we all need to work together for the apple industry to run properly, and he’s willing to do whatever is needed to ensure the future of New York-grown apples.”

Totaled, Brown received 13 Apple Grower of the Year nominations, covering all sectors of the apple-growing community in western New York.

CONTEMPORARIES

Brown’s peers, including Farrow, appreciate his fellowship and the example he sets:

• Rod Farrow (Fish Creek Orchards, Waterport, NY): “His development of new high-density super-spindle orchards is second to none in the U.S., and their farm is often a highlight of local, national, and international tours. It’s hard to imagine a more worthy winner of Grower of the Year. Bobby is a leader, adopting and adapting new technologies into his business. He is really on the bleeding edge of precision spraying in conjunction with vision data collection. Bobby and his wife, Beth, take time away from their business and young family to volunteer in multiple organizations supporting the New York apple industry.”
• David Tower (Tower Farm, Youngstown, NY): “Bobby is a team player. He offers ideas, problem-solving advice, real solutions to problem solving. He shares the ideas that have made him successful.”
• Jason Woodworth (Lamont Fruit Farm, Waterport, NY): “Bobby was an integral part of revamping the team at Orchard Dale Fruit Co. The addition of new hires, job positions, and education of employees not only helped Orchard Dale expand their business but also helped streamline their enterprises (apples, strawberries, and blueberries). Bobby deems that process a great success.”

INDUSTRY

Poliana Francescatto, Global Technical Development Manager with Sumitomo Biorational (formerly Valent BioSciences), praises Brown for his support of research activities and the broader agricultural community while constantly looking for new ideas and practices to produce the best apples possible.

“In addition to his technical curiosity and dedication to improvement, Bobby has a very pleasant personality and is highly approachable,” Francescatto says. “His employees appreciate his openness and the supportive environment he creates, which speaks volumes about his leadership. His willingness to share experiences and discuss both successes and challenges has also made him an inspiration to other growers in the region, encouraging them to adopt new practices and continue learning.

“Since I first met him in 2019, I have seen Bobby evolve tremendously as a young grower. His dedication, openness to innovation, and willingness to collaborate make him an outstanding grower and an excellent example for many other young growers in the industry.”

Joe DeBrock, the Application Equipment Manager at Monroe Tractor, concurs. “Bobby is well known across New York and is always talking with growers on what he’s trying and what he finds is working on his farm,” he says.

ACADEMIA

Brown graduated from Cornell with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics. He maintains a close relationship with the school, 130 miles southeast of Waterport in Ithaca, NY.

Monique Rivera, Assistant Professor of Entomology at Cornell, has worked with Brown on on-farm research trials the last three years. She lauds Brown for regularly assuming leadership roles with the New York State Apple Research and Development Program.

“I have only worked with Bobby in a research capacity, but I can say in terms of working on his farm that it is my favorite because of his level of attention to detail and organization,” Rivera says. “Everything I engage with on Bobby’s farm is in pristine condition due to the overall concern and organization he has for running his business. Bobby is an exemplary grower, and anyone who works with him can attest to his fairness and diligence.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) specialist Craig Kahlke frequently works with Brown as the Fruit Quality Management Specialist and Team Leader with the Lake Ontario Fruit Program (LOFP). He credits Brown with being one of the first growers in the region to implement precision crop load management technologies, such as ATV-mounted cameras and drones.

“Others look to Bobby for advice and information,” Kahlke says. “Bobby continues to take on more leadership roles and responsibility both on his farm and for the industry.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In 2012, the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) named Orchard Dale its “Conservation Farm of the Year.” The award recognizes a farm’s commitment to environmental stewardship. SWCD District Manager Katie Sommerfeldt has worked with Brown and Orchard Dale the last 15 years. Collaboration has involved micro-irrigation and irrigation pipelines, grassed waterways, conservation cover, pollinator habitat, agrichemical handling facilities, precision pesticide sprayers, and frost fans.

“Throughout the process of these projects, Bobby has worked side by side with us, making sure that he is doing the right things and that the projects are working for his farm,” Sommerfeldt says. “He is always inquiring about possible new things to implement on the farm to further its conservation, and we are always willing to take chances writing grant applications to see if we can get these projects funded.”

Brown works closely with the local offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA). “He is always searching for ways to make the farm more efficient and environmentally friendly,” Sommerfeldt says. “And Bobby always shares his knowledge with other local farms. No matter how big the farm size, he always makes time to help other farms in need. We have used Bobby’s farm as an example apple grower in our area, where we have sent new farms just starting off in apple growing to talk to him to learn successful ways to run their operation.”

NETWORKS

Brown represents Yes! Apples, a collective of small, family-run orchards across upstate New York. The group works with growers to brand, grow, and market higher-quality apples, such as SweeTango, a fan favorite in the state.

“Bobby has always tried new technology and new varieties,” Yes! Apples President and Owner Kaari Stannard says. “While not all new varieties have been profitable, he has adapted quickly, grafting to others. He has a drive that is incredible. Instead of being demoralized by weather or market conditions out of his control, he has looked to do what he can control to better his business.”

Brown also belongs to the Next Big Thing (NBT) Cooperative, which owns the exclusive rights to commercialize, license, and market SweeTango.

“Bobby and his family are always willing to try new products and technologies that move their farm and industry into the future,” Chelsea Gowan, Food Safety and Grower Relations Manager with Yes! Apples, says. “They are always a great partner to be a leader on trialing products and first to comply on any conservation and food safety efforts.”

PACKERS

When Maggie Travis met Brown five years ago, the Grower Services Manager at Rice Fruit found herself surprised at his skill, focus, and dedication to excellence at such a young age.

“I found him intriguing and a top expert in growing techniques and soon began to trust his expertise in best growing practices,” she says. “Being newly acquainted, I was unaware of the health challenges that his father was facing and was saddened to hear of his passing this past year. I understand now that he was diligently carrying on a family tradition to the best of his ability, and how proud we all are in the service and care he has brought to this community. Supporting his family and his orchard with love and care, while giving back to industry organizations — that is all we can ask from those in this community.”

Packing facilities, such as Rice Fruit and Lake Ontario Fruit, appreciate the chance to work with Brown.

“2025 was a year of adversity for everyone, facing heat challenges, hail storms, and a drought,” Tyler Baker, Technical Resource Manager with Lake Ontario Fruit, says. “Bobby was able to have some of the best fruit in poor conditions, thanks to his use of different crop protection methods that are not widespread here in New York.”

Adds Travis: “Bobby has always taken time to talk to me throughout the growing season to develop best harvest planning possible for my packing operation. He has not been afraid to share information that can be beneficial to the industry. I trust him when he gives me an answer and find him to be of the utmost integrity.”

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CLICK HERE to learn about the 2026 Apple Grower of the Year regional winners recognized by American Fruit Grower/Western Fruit Grower and Valent U.S.A.