Orchard Hill- our story

I’m Wes Carithers. My wife Stephanie and I own and operate Orchard Hill Farm & Country Store outside of Lewistown. We are open Late-July through October, when we sell apples, peaches, jams/jellies, baked goods, cider, wine, and many other products. Our Apple and Peach trees comprise 18 acres.

Stephanie is also an Occupational Therapist and I’m also a Realtor with Rhoades Real Estate and run a Foodplot business in my "off time". We have four children; Casey, Brayden, Nikita, and Cole.

We purchased the orchard in 2016, but it was first established in 1933. We decided to buy the orchard because it’s something I've always been interested in, and I was ready for a new challenge. The way I figure it, if you are going to work most of your life, it better be at something you enjoy. I enjoyed the business I currently had, and thought this addition would be a good fit. It took a lot of discussion to convince my wife and there’s no way it would have worked without her support.

I think it’s a little early to tell if our kids will have any interest in the business, but I'm hoping at least one or two will like part of it. My youngest is always wanting to be outside and help with his tools. I can't imagine myself not working outside and caring for trees and plants.