Scenes From the 2025 Apple Grower of the Year Celebration
December 13, 2025 Jim Engelsma will forever cherish 2025 — and the year is not even finished yet. Named the 37th American Fruit GrowerSM Apple Grower of the Year in August, Engelsma formally received the honor Oct. 29 in Kent City, MI. Family and friends numbering 36 gathered at Stoney Ridge Winery to celebrate the third-generation farmer from Walker, MI.
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“I’ve met a lot of people in this industry, and over and over it’s people that love the industry that really come to the top,” Engelsma said. “I think of all of you as friends.”
That Engelsma found the time to be a ceremonial guest of honor this fall is significant in itself. Setting aside the annual harvest of his 78 acres and his September-through-December apple cider operation, Engelsma also participated in five family weddings, two of which he hosted on the family farm, J Engelsma Orchard.
“My daughter got married on Sept. 5, and my niece got married three weeks later,” Engelsma said. “We had a good time both times. Great turnouts, the weather was good, and our girls are happily married. They both had a dream of getting married on the farm, and they did that. It was really cool.”
Harvest could not have gone better, according to Engelsma. “Honeycrisp were probably the biggest crop as far as bushels and yield — definitely a record for our farm,” he said. “Our highest-density orchard produced probably 70% of (its eventual potential) on its second year of bearing. We had two picks, and it all went to fresh market.”
Yield aside, quality was just as impressive. “I took some apples to the packing house from that young new orchard. I wasn’t really sure how they would run — I knew they were nice fruit — and they ran in the high 90s (percentage-wise). The packer told me it was the nicest fruit he ever had on his pad — even higher quality than I had thought it was. I’m very pleased with that orchard and all the Honeycrisp this year. We just have to duplicate it for next year.”
Speaking of repetition, the cider business, Engelsma’s Apple Barn, will aim for its eighth state title at the Dec. 9-11 Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids, MI.
“The fruit was really sweet this year, a lot of sugar in the fruit,” Engelsma said. “We’re making cider that is a nice blend of fruit. It tastes very good. Customers are very happy with that. It’s been a good year overall.”
Win or not, Engelsma will welcome the New Year.
“It’s been a busy fall,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a break.”
SPREADING THE GRATITUDE
Engelsma thanked a pair of companies at his awards presentation, starting with Valent USA, sponsor of the Apple Grower of the Year award since 2015. Representing the company in person were Michigan-based Regional Account Manager Jeff Schulz, Sustainable Solutions Sales Specialist Amy-Irish Brown, and Territory Manager Adam Constine, as well as Tiffany Dean, Valent’s Vice President of Sustainable Solutions.
“You guys have been partners and friends,” Engelsma said. “Jeff, I think we’ve learned a lot together. And now, with Amy as part of this group, I worked with her most of my life in the industry and have been exposed to her ways in the industry. She’s smart and she’s helpful. These people have lifted me, and I appreciate that.”
Engelsma partners with Valent as a regional Specialty Crops Consultant with Nutrien Ag Solutions. He started with the ag retailer in 2013 and has since handed the reins of J Engelsma Orchard and Engelsma’s Apple Barn to daughter Bridget. Nutrien colleagues in attendance included Crop Consultant Kaity Dietrich and Territory Manager Hudson Badskey, as well as FMC Field Sales Representative Heidi Davey and SMC Consulting President Mark Barbera, both of whom worked with Engelsma when Nutrien was known as CPS.
“The people I work with are very important. Some of you came into my life 15 year years ago and have really given me a lot of help along the way. You’ve all mentored me,” Engelsma said. “I remember when I took the job at CPS, Heidi kind of gave me some ground rules, and she was right. She told me what to watch out for, what to work hard at. Mark, you played a big role, too. Kaity, your organization has been second to nobody. You always have that effect of saying, ‘Just cool it,’ when I really start flying high. You always bring me back to Earth. Hudson, when I met you, I had no preconceived notion about you. You showed me that you were willing to work for us and work hard. We have carved a niche in the apple industry that nobody else has.”
Engelsma also recognized his grower peers and clients, including attendees Dan Freeland, Eric Roossinck, and Patrick Goodfellow.
“You, too, have a big impact on my life. I’ve learned a lot from you guys. You can only learn so much on one farm. But when I’ve had the opportunity to go to many farms and see all the good things you’re doing, it’s been fun to have your trust. I’ve watched you guys start from the bottom, and you’ve built some very large businesses. But the one neat thing about you growers is that you didn’t do it on the backs of somebody else. And you always take the time to help others. I really think that’s what it’s all about.”
Finally, Engelsma recognized his family, particularly daughter Bridget, wife Becky, father Jim Sr., and brother Nate and his wife.
“My family supported me. I’ve worked a lot of hours, and they did things without me. And they were always there when I needed them,” Engelsma said. “Bridget has already brought up the point that she learned like I did – picking up brush on spring break. That’s always how we got our tans.
“I want to especially thank my wife. My wife is a special lady. And this Saturday (Nov. 1) it will be 40 years that she’s stuck it out with me. Thank you, Becky, for all the late suppers you’ve kept for me and all the support you’ve given me. I love you.
“To my father and my brother, my Dad taught me how to work. He taught me it was important to work. We even worked Fourth of July mornings at our house. Nate and Laura, you’ve supported us and support our children like a second mom and dad.”
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