Mar 21, 2025

Pennsylvania growers, farm markets recognized

At the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention, Pennsylvania’s vegetable and horticulture associations recognized industry leaders.

During a Jan. 29 Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA) annual membership meeting, PVGA leaders honored a longtime member with its annual and life membership awards.

Five-term winner

A five-term PVGA board member, William “Bill” Reynolds of Reynolds Farm in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and PVGA secretary/treasurer, was honored for his years of service.

“PVGA’s board periodically recognizes individuals who have an outstanding record of service and dedication to the association with life membership in the association,” said Tammy Linn, executive director. “This year the board recognized William Reynolds with a life membership.

PVGA’s board also recognized William Reynolds with the Annual Award for his noteworthy record of service and dedication to the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association and the Farm Show Food Booth during his tenure on the board of directors.”

Reynolds and his wife Lois farm a 106-acre produce and grain operation in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Harrisburg and along the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. The couple grow mainly pumpkins and gourds as well as some watermelons. Most of the produce is sold retail at their farm market and fall festival. The festival includes u-pick pumpkins, hayrides, and corn and grass mazes. The farm also hosts school tours.

Reynolds is past president of Gettysburg Farmer’s Market and has served on PVGA’s convention planning committee.

Farm market honors

The State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania (SHAP) recognized farms and farm markets that won awards at the Jan. 10-17 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. SHAP generates research funding from apple educational and food booths run by fruit growers and industry professionals at the Jan. 10-17 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

Knouse Fruitlands won the show’s best roadside market award, while Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm & Market was recognized for presenting the show’s best apple bushel.

One of Pennsylvania’s first commercial fruit farms, Knouse Fruitlands’ farm market operates inside the Historic Round Barn and Farm Market built in 1914 in Cashtown, Pennsylvania. In addition to the 400 acres of apples, Knouse Fruitlands also grows peaches, nectarines and berries as well as pumpkins, squash and other vegetables.

Brian Knouse was named SHAP Grower of the Year in 2019. His father and mother received that honor in 1968 and 1996, respectively. Brian and his sons Kevin and Kyle attended the awards ceremony.

“We do it for the industry at the farm show to represent Pennsylvania in the apple industry,” said Kevin. “A lot of other great markets are also displaying as well as putting their best apples out there. We just happened to win it this year, but really it’s all about trying to represent our industry and get people who visit the farm show to see what the apple industry is all about.”

Biglerville, Pennsylvania-based Hollabaugh Bros., which sells fruit and vegetables, won the show’s best of show apple category. The award recognizes growers who accomplish the difficult task of packing the perfect bushel of apples.

“We’ve always felt that it’s important to not just be a part of the industry, but to contribute to the industry in which we serve, and we try to reach-out in many ways,” said Brad Hollabaugh, president and general administrator. “We enjoy our vocation, the fruit we grow, the farm show and all that it brings to the industry and the entire state.”

In the Annual Mid-Atlantic Cider Contest, Kauffman Orchards of Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania, won first. Hands on the Earth Orchard in Lititz, Pennsylvania, placed second, with Bechdolt Orchards of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, taking third place.

“We had 15 entries this year in the cider competition, a very good year, not quite as taxing on my judges as the year we had 22, but less than one point separated first and third this year,” said Don Seifrit, Penn State Extension tree fruit specialist. “It was a pretty, pretty tight race overall. I appreciate you doing this. It’s hard to keep something going if folks don’t want to participate, so thank you all for bringing your ciders and thank you to my judges.”

This year’s Hershey, Pennsylvania, convention drew more than 1,600 participants, which included growers, exhibitors, Extension personnel and others from the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and other areas, as well as attendees from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia state horticultural associations and societies. The show’s participants were updated on the latest agronomic information through educational sessions and walked the large trade show.