The Hill with a Breeze

Watermelons have gone, and Colorado Peaches, too, which means it's fall fruit season. Along with trips up north to see the changing leaves and traffic jams on HWY 35 after a Vikings game, autumn brings forth the magnificent bounty of Breezy Hill Orchards.

Patrick Lynch and Wendy Johnson of Breezy Hill bring their beautiful Organic apples around the start of the State Fair, and they are a Wedge favorite through these short and cooling months.

Breezy Hill has been an organic orchard since 1993 when Patrick's parents owned the farm. Patrick took over in 2000 and carried on his parents' passion for a healthy environment and pesticide-free farming. Wendy joined Patrick in 2002, about the time the farm was certified organic by Midwest Organic Services Association.

Breezy Hill was already established with apple trees and raspberries when Patrick took it over. The couple has expanded the vision of the orchard over time to include pears, flowers, plums, grapes, and pumpkins. Organic growing can be difficult with their sweet and delicate crops as they are very attractive to many pests and can be very temperamental in adverse weather conditions.

"Many believe it is impossible to grow an organic apple in Minnesota much less be able to sell them," says Wendy. But Breezy Hill has never strayed from Patrick's parents' organic beliefs in safety for themselves, their children, and the products they grow. "Our integrity is in the organic fruit we sell."

Patrick focuses on the apples and raspberry production and Wendy focuses on the flowers and growing vegetables for the family. "It takes time to figure out what does grow organically and how to manage it all," says Wendy, "We actually had another orchardist come out and tell us to cut down our standard trees because they wouldn't produce good fruit. We didn't believe him, and we went on our path." This determination and strong belief in their growing methods and crops comes forth with every delicious bite of a Breezy Hill apple.

Along with their compassionate growing methods, the ecosystem of Breezy Hill's Maple Lake location assists in the development of their wonderful fruits. "We have many beneficial insects and birds in our orchards which help keep the harmful insects away," Wendy says. Breezy Hill is a great example of how stewardship of the land and the living things around you will always return the favor.

The couple rarely relaxes, as new fruits of labor are constantly being developed. "We are experimenting with blackberries and black raspberries, which we hope will do well. We are also trying to grow good apricots and in the future we hope to supply asparagus," says Wendy.

Patrick and Wendy not only have an utmost respect for the land and environment, but also for the consumers of their awesome produce. Wendy declares, "We have found the Wedge to be a place that people really understand organic fruit and know how to enjoy it."

By the time this article is read, the raspberries will have been picked, and many of the apples will have been bagged and eaten. While Patrick and Wendy are working hard year-round, their season at the Wedge seems to go by so quickly. So next year, around the time of fried cheese and miracles of birth at the Minnesota State Fair, start planning your trip out to Breezy Hill. You could pick your own raspberries and take a tour of a certified organic orchard located right here in Minnesota, "on a hill with a breeze."