Bratschi Orchards
Location: Williamsburg, MI
Grower: Travis Bratschi
Travis Bratschi started working on his grandpa’s cherry and apple farm every summer beginning at age seven. Farming through high school, Travis learned the key components of good farming practices and found himself back on the farm after graduating college and working at a pest control company for two years. He says he has a passion for working in the fruit industry and hopes to keep expanding his farm, Bratschi Orchards, in the future.
Meet Bratschi Orchards:
With 10+ years in the industry, Travis Bratschi and his wife Erin have built a thriving family business centered around their farm in Williamsburg. Their passion for farming led them to make Michigan Apples and sour cherries the focal point of their venture, annually harvesting 16 acres of apples and eight acres of sour cherries.
A graduate of Grand Valley State University with a major in human resource management and a minor in finance, Travis returned to his roots, working on his grandpa’s farm after college. The desire to start his farm emerged from this experience. Currently, his apples find their way to Jack Brown Produce, with hopes of reaching 25 acres if conditions permit and apple prices remain robust. As a young grower on a smaller scale, Travis is determined to contribute to the fruit industry’s growth and expansion.
Connected to the Industry:
In addition to his farming endeavors at Bratschi Orchards, Travis is part of Greenstone Farm Services, ensuring he stays connected and current in the agriculture industry. While considering future developments like the tall spindle system, Travis recognizes the impending challenge of labor. He envisions leveraging technology, such as the platform picking system, to enhance efficiency while acknowledging that further advancements are still possible.
As a family, the Bratschis enjoy attending local festivals and embarking on long car rides. Travis ensures nightly gator rides through the fields for his children, Samuel and Sophie. Travis envisions a future where his kids grow up surrounded by the apple and cherry farm, becoming part of the next generation of apple growers. Travis Bratschi’s story encapsulates a young farmer’s dedication to family, growth, and the future of the fruit industry.
