Holmberg Orchards

History

Holmberg Orchards is a family owned farm enterprise that is now in its fourth generation. Adolph and Hulda Holmberg, as recent arrivals from Sweden, originally purchased the farm in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, in 1896. The farm soon produced vegetable crops that were well known for their high quality throughout Southeastern Connecticut. Harold and Henry Holmberg purchased the farm from their mother, Hulda, in 1931 and began planting apple, peach, and pear trees in 1935.

Holmberg Brothers' Orchards ran successfully through the mid 1960's at the hands of Harold and Henry. Chickens were eventually phased out as apples and fruits flourished in the '50's and '60's, and Holmberg Brothers' Orchards rose to be known as one of New England's premier orchards. After Henry's passing in 1965, the business was run by Harold alone and renamed simply, 'Holmberg Orchards" as we know it today.

History HolmbergHarold's son, Richard, along with his wife, Diane, returned to the farm after college, and ultimately purchased the farm from Harold in the 1980's. Richard brought with him fresh ideas involving expansion into retail and Pick-Your-Own markets, and in the early 1990's also added the bakery department and greenhouse tomato operation.   Richard now manages all post-harvest storage systems, packing and wholesale operations. Diane enjoys a career away from the farm, but can often be found on the weekends helping in the bakery or at Pick-Your-Own during the fall season.