82-Uncast*f Farming, Saturday, Hay 18,1985
Bingham's Orchard
is a family business
BY MARTHA GEHRINGER
Staff Correspondent
ST. THOMAS - Bingham’s
Orchard near St. Thomas is
nestled in the protective shadow of
Mt. Parnell, a mountain which
helps deflect destructive frosts
from fragile apple blossoms. The
mountain affects the air
movements in the area and acts as
a shelter from harsh weather for
the Bingham’s fruit trees.
The apple is the orchard’s
largest volume crop, and in
deference to the mountain’s
protection, the Binghams mer
chandise some of their apples
under the brand name Mt. Parnell.
They have sold and sent gifts of
tray-packed Mt. Parnell apples to
all corners of the United States.
While apples are the largest
crop, peaches are usually the most
important crop based on dollar
value. But this year, most of the
peach crop was destryed by killing
frosts that even Mt. Parnell could
not deflect.
It is estimated that the peach
crop suffered a 99 percent loss in
Franklin County and across much
of the east coast.
This year, the Binghams will be
pleased if they harvest enough
peaches to supply their own fruit
market. During an average
season, they sell about 35 percent
of the peach crop at their fruit
market, with some of the fruit
being canned and sold under the
Bingham label. The remainder of
the crop goes directly from the
orchard crates to truckers, un
packed and ungraded.
The truckers then take the
peaches to markets in Ohio,
Michigan and Northwestern
Pennsylvania.
After the peaches leave the area,
they acquire the label, “Cham
bersburg peaches.” When retailers
tell customers they are purchasing
“Chambersburg peaches,’’
customers think Chambersburg is
the variety instead of the location
where they are grown. During
peach season many tourists
descend on Franklin County in
search of the delicious “Cham
bersburg peaches” they purchased
at their local outlets.
Although much of the peach crop
has been destroyed this year, the
orchardists still have much work
to do. They will have to maintain t
the orchards, pruning, spraying,
mowing and fertilizing in
preparation for next year’s an
ticipated crop.
Despite the problems with the
peaches, the Binghams remain
ress operator Rod Shield makes an average of 1,000 gallons of cider day with this
optimistic about their largest
volume crop, the apple. Marketing
is slightly different with the apple;
they mark and grade most of the
crop. Some of the apples are held
in cold storage for sale year round
at the fruit stand. Others are
processed for cider and apple
butter, which are sold in several
outlets other than the roadside
market.
The Binghams recently added a
cider press to their operation. The
press, the first in western Franklin
County, is unique in that it came
from Italy and was originally
designed to press grapes. The
press is controlled by a computer
and will go through one pressing at
the touch of a button.
Family member Billie Dixon
helped lay out the plans for the
cider making operation and
specifically designed the hydraulic
apple dumper. They are also using
an apple grinder that was
developed m New England.
During the busy season, press
operator Rod Shields will average
1,000 to 1,200 gallons of cider per
day. Last year, he estimates, he
pressed 26,111 gallons during the
fall season. Even during the off
season, the press operates an
average of once a week.
Binghams Orchard cider is a
high-quality product due to the
care taken during the pressing and
the careful blending of several
varieties of apples. The recipe
takes Red and Golden Delicious
apples, plus a tart mixer or two
suchasStayman.
After pressing is complete, the
pulp or apple pumies are sold as a
feedstuff to some area farmers
since it still contains a high degree
of protein.
Their well-known cider is han
dled for sale at many local outlets
m addition to their own fruit
market. Other orchardists sell the
Bingham’s cider under their own
labels at their markets.
As in many orchards, Binghams
Orchards is a family business.
W.O. Bingham started the orchard
with seven acres of apple trees in
1912. He processed the fruit by
packing it in barrels and loading
the barrels on freight cars, which
took the fruit to Philadelphia via
the railroad.
Gradually more land was
cleared and the acreage has in
creased to the present 300 acres.
The increased acreage gave them
more room for diversification;
today they raise approximately 150
acres of apples and 80 acres
peaches, with the remaining acres
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Orchard manager Bill Kriner chats with grandfather Billie Dixon, who although of
ficially retired, works almost daily with the operation.
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Bingham's apple cider is a high-quality product that is the result of careful blending of
different varieties of apples. Pictured here is the entire operation.
planted in cherries, apricots,
plums and pears.
All of these fruits, plus some not
grown on the farm such as citrus
and vineyard products, are sold at
the roadside market, which W.O.
Bingham started in 1928.
During the early days of the
business, the Binghams used a cold
storage unit with a 7,500-bushel
capacity. This cold storage was
one reason they were able to
remain open all year and to con
tinuously market their fruit.
Growth continued and in 1945
W.O. Bingham turned the business
over to his nephew, Billie Dixon,
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who was working as orchard
manager. About the same time
W.O. turned over two additional
orchards he owned to Billie’s
sisters. Of these three orchards,
two Binghams and Shatzer’s
(owned by Wilma Bingham
Mickey) are still in business.
The third orchard merged with yet
another orchard in the area.
Today three generations of
Binghams are involved in the daily
operation of the farm. Billie Dixon,
although officially retired, works
almost everyday with the orchard.
He repairs equipment and is
consulted on decisions regarding
the operation of the orchards.
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Betty Krmer, Billie’s daughter
and present owner, is the overall
manager. In addition to the or
chard, she operates an antique
shop next to the farm market. Bob
Kriner, her husband, is employed
away from the orchard, but can be
found helping at the market or
orchard whenever possible.
Bill Kriner, their son, is orchard
manager, and Tammy Kriner,
Bill’s wife, is the fruit market
manager. Together they work to
keep things running as smoothly as
possible.
Their goal for the coming year is
to survive the devastation of the
peach crop and plan to improve
their orchards in the coming years.
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