Producer
Champlain Orchards
Contact: Bill Suhr and Andrea Scott
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Website: https://champlainorchards.com/
About Us
our history
Champlain Orchards began in 1998 when Bill Suhr, at 27 years old, purchased 60 acres in Shoreham, Vermont, motivated by a dream to live sustainably off the land. Despite lacking experience in apple growing and fruit farming, Bill’s passion for the environment and his entrepreneurial spirit drove the orchard's transformation.
Today, Champlain Orchards is a testament to sustainable agricultural success, managing over 220 acres and offering more than 115 varieties of apples alongside a diverse range of fruits like plums, peaches, and berries.
From its early days, the orchard has grown through community collaboration, the support of knowledgeable neighbors, and the indispensable help of Bill’s wife and business partner, Andrea Scott. Together, they have nurtured the orchard into a vital source of locally grown, ecologically conscious produce. Andrea, with her background in integrated natural resources and passion for community education, has been pivotal in developing the orchard’s Eco Apple and Organic programs. Her influence ensures that the orchard remains dedicated to ethical farming practices.
Bill and Andrea’s personal story is woven deeply into the orchard's fabric. They met in Vermont, bonded over shared values of nourishment and community service, and now raise their two children in the orchard's lush environment. Their family life reflects their commitment to the land—a commitment that extends to their professional lives. They've innovatively expanded the orchard's operations to include not only fresh fruits but also value-added products like sweet cider, hard cider, and homemade pies, all produced with the same ecological care.
Champlain Orchards began in 1998 when Bill Suhr, at 27 years old, purchased 60 acres in Shoreham, Vermont, motivated by a dream to live sustainably off the land. Despite lacking experience in apple growing and fruit farming, Bill’s passion for the environment and his entrepreneurial spirit drove the orchard's transformation.
Today, Champlain Orchards is a testament to sustainable agricultural success, managing over 220 acres and offering more than 115 varieties of apples alongside a diverse range of fruits like plums, peaches, and berries.
From its early days, the orchard has grown through community collaboration, the support of knowledgeable neighbors, and the indispensable help of Bill’s wife and business partner, Andrea Scott. Together, they have nurtured the orchard into a vital source of locally grown, ecologically conscious produce. Andrea, with her background in integrated natural resources and passion for community education, has been pivotal in developing the orchard’s Eco Apple and Organic programs. Her influence ensures that the orchard remains dedicated to ethical farming practices.
Bill and Andrea’s personal story is woven deeply into the orchard's fabric. They met in Vermont, bonded over shared values of nourishment and community service, and now raise their two children in the orchard's lush environment. Their family life reflects their commitment to the land—a commitment that extends to their professional lives. They've innovatively expanded the orchard's operations to include not only fresh fruits but also value-added products like sweet cider, hard cider, and homemade pies, all produced with the same ecological care.
Practices
The Basics: 2021 is the 16th year of the Eco fruit program, founded in 2005 to support growers in our region by bringing together the best of Local and Eco-friendly. Eco Fruit = Local Done Right! Eco is a rigorous, ecology-based farming, certification, and marketing program for Northeast tree fruit growers that supports both local + ecologically grown. Eco practices are based on creating an orchard ecosystem that supports pollinators, keeps damaging insects in balance with biological and preventive methods, and promotes soil and tree health. A partnership among local farmers, scientific advisors, the IPM Institute of North America and Red Tomato, Eco delivers the freshest, best-tasting locally grown fruit while supporting and rewarding progressive, environmentally responsible growing practices specific for the northeastern region.