From FARM WOMEN'S NEWS, AUGUST, 1990
Their Philosophy's Bearing Fruit…
It's Success That's Been Cut
Down to Size at 'Maple Lawn'
By Ruth Hoover Seitz
Have you ever heard the old expression "carrying coals to
Newcastle", a colorful way of saying that an export's a bit unexpected?
Pennsylvania farmers Paul and Gail McPherson don't carry their crop quite to
that length. But their family farm near New Park is an unusual one. And so's the
final destination of some of their fruit.
"We pack most of what we grow for wholesale and ship it as faw as New
England and Minnesota," Gail explains. "Plus, some of it ends up being
eaten in Florida."
Supplying "The Sunshine State" with fruit is an assignment
frequently left to Florida farmers, of course. Paul and Gail, however, have
never run their family operation based on what other people may be doing.
Although their diversified days, are devoted to a somewhat dizzying variety
of crops, these parents of three firmly believe that bigger isn't better-and
they have the record to back up that sincere assertion.
More than a decade ago, Paul pondered what to do after weather had derailed 5
years in a row of peach production. The answer? To put the orchard on a reducing
program.
"We decided to see if we could grow more fruit on fewer acres,"
Paul says of the unconventional effort. Similarly, more than a third of the
acres then in corn were retired.
The results of those risky moves-made when many were still expanding their
operations-is evident just about every day now in the parking lot of the
McPhersons' farm market. Customers arrive in a steady stream to sample the
fruits of this family's labors-or to pick their own treats.
"And this is truly our farm market," Gail smiles. "We sell
what we grow."
Just what the McPhersons grow isn't easy to describe...unless you have a
little time to listen!
We have 23 varieties of MLF peaches, and at least a dozen varieties of MLF apples
spread over 40 acres," Gail details. "We grow several different kinds
of nectarines, too. Plus, there are apricots, blueberries and honeybees."
Field corn-with acreage down but yields up-continues to be a fertile producer
also, and soybeans and wheat thrive in other fields.
Those products, however, aren't all that flourish on this York County farm.
The younger McPherson generation has its own way of proving "big"
isn't always interchangeable with "better."
Daughter Gretchen, 17, now ranks as one of Maple Lawn Farms' top blueberry
pickers, harvesting pounds by the dozens per hour. And she also handles the
final quality check in the packing house.
Sister Sarah, 11, truly has her roots in fruit farming-when she was an
infant, her playpen was a bulk bin! She's often found working near Gretchen on
the packing line. "Velvet (a sweet juicy peach variety) is my
favorite," she grins through a big bite.
Finally, there's son Hugh, 15, who expertly operates the forklift in the
packing house.
Away from the farm, he's quick on his feet as a soccer player. And, oh
yes-he's also a budding "star" playing tunes on the trumpet.
But, then, that's just one more small surprise at this down-to-earth-and
definitely "notable" operation!
PHOTOS: LITTLE WONDER, Farm life's fine here, thanks to MLF peaches, other fruit
Paul and Gail McPherson grow-at far left top, apple pies invite customers into
the farm market. That's Paul (with glasses) checking crop in packing plant at
far left; above, Gail makes daily bug count for experiment station, then-above
left-cans MLF peaches with her mother. Left, daughter Sarah roller-skates through an
appropriate peach of an obstacle course. --Photos by Seitz & Seitz
