The Wittenbach Family
Location: Belding, MI
Growers: Ed Wittenbach, Mike Wittenbach
Social Media: Wittenbach Orchards
The Wittenbach family farm was started in 1900 by Ed’s grandfather, Fredrick Wittenbach. It began as a dairy farm, with a small apple orchard. After receiving his horticulture degree from Michigan State University, Ed returned to the farm and took over the family business. He decided to get out of cattle and focus on apples. Ed’s vision paid off. His orchard has blossomed to 225 acres and continues to be a profitable family-run business.
Meet The Wittenbach Family:
Ed Wittenbach has been in business for 45 years and is deeply rooted in family values. He is married to Linda, and they have two sons, Mike and Dave, as well as two daughters, Christine and Kendra. The family has expanded further with 11 grandchildren.
The Wittenbach family’s farming legacy began in 1900 when Ed’s grandfather, Fredrick Wittenbach, established the family farm. Starting as a dairy farm with a small apple orchard, Ed, armed with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University, redirected the focus solely to apples upon his return to the farm. Ed’s vision has since propelled the orchard to 225 acres, maintaining profitability as a family-run business. Currently, Ed and his son, Mike, jointly manage the farm, with Ed contemplating retirement and the passing down of the family business to the next generation.
An Accomplished Grower:
Throughout his career, Ed has been actively involved in various memberships and organizations. Notably, he served on the Michigan Apple Committee, acted as chairman from 1998-99, and held positions in the Michigan State Horticulture Society, where he served as president in 1982. Ed also contributed significantly to the U.S. Apple Association, spending eight years on the Board of Trustees and chairing in 2001-02. Additionally, he was involved in the International Fruit Tree Association, completing a second three-year term on the Board of Directors. For 35 years, Ed has been associated with Belding Fruit Storage and BelleHarvest sales.
Ed’s dedication and achievements in the industry have not gone unnoticed. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan State Horticulture Society in 1988. The American Fruit Grower Magazine named him Apple Grower of the Year in 1999. In 2003, both The Packer and the Michigan Association of Pomester Clubs recognized Ed as Apple Person of the Year and Fruit Man of the Year, respectively.
In recent developments, Ed and Mike are part of the Next Big Thing (NBT), a 45-member cooperative group of growers. The NBT aims to introduce a new apple variety, MN1914, discovered by the University of Minnesota. This cooperative, located in Lake City, Minn., is dedicated to exploring and cultivating new apple varieties, including the popular Honeycrisp. Ed and Mike have been cultivating about 20 trees of the MN1914 for five years.
Meeting Consumer Demands:
To stay current with consumer and market demands, the Wittenbachs annually replace approximately 10 percent of their orchard. Ed’s engagement with the challenges of the apple industry extends globally, as he has traveled extensively to China, South Korea, and Europe, gaining insights into foreign markets. His involvement with the NBT, along with his focus on packaging, sales, and various industry organizations, underscores Ed’s commitment to understanding the industry’s future.
“The fruit industry keeps you humble because there’s a new challenge every day. Variety and vision are very important in the industry. The market today is more concerned with the quality and taste of the apples, than a small difference in price. You have to be willing to change or you won’t be able to carry success into future generations.“
