Brown’s Market Celebrates Half-Century
From a tiny business started in the family basement, uit-g... basket sideline . is
developed into a major part of Brown's Orchard Retail Market. Gathered at the fruit basket
center are, from left, Many, Scott, Brenda and Travis, and Stan and Nona Brown.
(Continued from Pago B 4)
only use what is absolutely nec
essary; and the new materials
are very short-lasting with little
residual. We don't want to
throw money away on unneces
sary application or use anything
that in any way might endanger
ourselves," Brown says.
Still, chemical use and food
concerns continue to be an occa
sionally-volatile issue for the
industry. Like many apple
growers, the Brown's are await
ing the issuance of federal rules
on the pasteurization of cider,
uncertain which direction they
IPAUL B. *
000(11 IT OOP glGi
Raven Tough Polyethylene
Tanks
• SPRAYER TANKS • STATIONARY
For New Or TANKS -For
Replacement Liquid Fertilizer Storage
Wytisssmmm
Crop Care
FOAM
MARKER
• 5 gal Tank
• 3 Hrs Foam Per Tank
• Extra Heavy Duty Compressor
• Includes All Wire & Hoses Needed For Installation
Special $595.00
We Also
Sprayer Nozzles
And
Accessories
want to proceed. Pasteurization
is costly. Unpasteurization can
also be costly, if even the rumor
of a food scare arises.
Stan does note that during
the much-publicized controversy
over the use of the chemical
Alar, apple sales did indeed
climb. Even for veteran retail
marketers like the Browns, food
safety issues are confusing and
weighty problems.
Though the orchard contains
a few remaining apple trees
from earlier years, some up to 55
years old, new varieties con-
Stock A Complet
H^pro
Pumps
And
Accessories
stantly offer improved qualities.
Fuji is a late apple which stores
well, Jonagold a newer semi-tart
good for cooking, Ginger Gold,
an early "wonderful" yellow and
Gala, a popular favorite.
"They are all very flavorful,
some almost revolutionary,"
Brown comments of the increas
ingly better qualities of newer
apples. "The old varieties are
slowing dying in favor of the
newer ones." Sometimes, he
admits, getting people to just try
the newer introductions is the
most difficult part of the variety
Line Of:
• Sprayer Hose
• Ball Valves
• Nylon Fillings
• Poly Tanks
QDDIMR QDrPIAI.C
v I* 111 1111 vPEiUlltliD
Jour Complete headquarters for Sprayers & Tarts
PACER PUMP
Self-Priming Centrifugal
Features:
Self-priming to 20 feet
Total heads to 120 feet
Capabilities to 200 U.S. GPM
Built in check valve
Equipped with 1 1/2” or 2” female
threaded connections, NPT
Full Line Of Hose And Couplings In Stool
• 3 H.P • 5 H.P • 5 H.P.
‘S’ Series ‘S’ Series ‘S’ Series
IVi- Or 2” Port. 2” ports w,th Indu,tri * l Br *8«» En « U,e
2” Ports
Reg. $228.00 Reg. $278.00 Re|. $380.00
SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL
$199.50 $243.25 $332.50
• 5Vi H.P. * ‘S' Series Pedestal
S Series S Series Pump Only
With Honda Engine. 2” Ports With Briggs Vsngsrd Engine r /
o" D IV4 or 2
Reg. $534.00 2 Ports .
Reg. $484.00 Re *’ $1440 °
SPECIAL SPECIAL
$467.25 $423.50 $126.00
With Cage $521.50 _
With Cage $477.75
W AG FOAM SPRAT TANK FOAM DYE
Half Gallon Special $10.75 CLEANER
For Higher Visibility' Foam
« lbs.
[m| 2 1 / a Gallon Special $46.50 $7.16 $13.50™
PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC.
• HARDWARE • FARM SUPPLIES • CUSTOM MANUFACTURING • CRANE SERVICE
evolution,
With the next generation of
Browns taking increasing
responsibility, Stan and Nona
are giving even more time to
education and leadership activi
ties. Both have always been
deeply committed to supporting
agriculture and the community,
including programs such as 4-H
and the Chamber of Commerce.
Stan has just stepped down
from 12 years on the board of
the Pennsylvania Horticulture
Association, serving the past
two years as its president. That
included helping to organize the
annual meeting, which pulls
together growers of fruits and
vegetables for a combined gath
ering of about 1800. He has also
worked closely with the Farm
Show apple dumpling booth, a
fund-raiser which generates
some $20,000 toward the associ
ation's education and promotion
efforts.
"It was a real privilege to
serve in that capacity," he says
of his work with the trade asso
ciation of more than 600 mem
bers across the commonwealth.
"The people have been great and
we've made a lot of long-lasting
friends."
Education is the PHA's pri
mary effort, including teaming
with Penn State extension spe
cialists in holding meetings
around the state. The organiza-
50 Woodcorner Rd., Lititz, PA 17543
1 Mile West of
(717)738-7350
Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, March 14, 1998-B7
tion is also heavily involved in
horticulture research, providing
some $l4 million over the years
toward a variety of projects.
Working closely with the
Horticulture trade Alliance, a
lobbying arm of the industry, the
horticulture group is constantly
involved with legislative efforts
Labor issues have been an ongo
ing issue of concern to the grow
ers' group. Food safety is anoth
er area of critical attention, and,
in Brown’s opinion, a "major
scare to all of agriculture "
Having turned the presi
dent's gavel over to his succes
sor, Adams County grower Jim
Lott, Brown looks forward to
continued participation in
industry marketing conferences
and trade events.
"If you pick up one tip or
pointer, it's worth the time and
effort it takes. It's also refresh
ing to talk with others, learn
how others do things," he says of
their involvement.
And while Stan and Nona
Brown are always on the lookout
for new ideas they can adapt to
their business, they have no
plans to make any hasty or dra
matic changes to a formula that
has been highly successful.
"I don't envision a different
mission for the Brown's busi
ness," he says. "Just to continue
doing what we're doing."
HOURS
Mon Thors In 7 8 K)
1 ues Wed 7 S M)
S.w 7 400