Umlor Orchards
Location: Conklin, MI & Hart, MI
Grower: Roger Umlor
Roger’s grandfather, Walter Umlor, bought the land in 1930 and started the farm with 80 acres, which has always been heavy in fruit production. Today, there is one main farm in Conklin, as well as two satellite farms in the Hart and Shelby area, consisting of about 600 total acres and over 340 acres of apples. Roger, along with his father Bob, uncle Ray, brother Mark and cousin Steve run Umlor Orchards farm together.
Meet Umlor Orchards:
The roots of Roger’s farming heritage trace back to his grandfather, Walter Umlor. Roger’s journey in the farming industry began in 1999 when he purchased his first farm. He is married to Nicole and they have two sons, Landon and Marshall.
Roger collaborates with his father Bob, uncle Ray, brother Mark, and cousin Steve in the joint management of the farm. Their operations include the packing and storage of apples, utilizing 12 controlled-atmosphere rooms. The fruits are sold through BelleHarvest Sales in Belding, Michigan. Despite the inevitable challenges of running a family business, Roger values the trust and camaraderie that comes with working alongside family.
Continuous Learning:
While Roger has acquired substantial knowledge about apple cultivation over the years, he acknowledges that the learning curve is continuous. The dynamic nature of the farming industry presents new information and challenges every day. Roger emphasizes the constant need to stay updated on emerging technologies, varieties, chemicals, and farming techniques. However, he also recognizes the unpredictable nature of each year, with factors like freezing spring temperatures, hailstorms, high winds, excessive or inadequate rainfall, and other elements that Mother Nature introduces.
Despite the uncertainties, Roger remains resilient, navigating through the ever-changing landscape of the agricultural world with a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.
