In the Beginning

1910-2014

It takes visionaries to work among fields and trees, and patience to wait for a yield that depends on so many things completely beyond control. When founders of Kauffman’s Fruit farm, A.L and Sue Kauffman, planted their first apple tree in 1911 they had a vision that would carry us all the way to 2014 and beyond, and for over a hundred years this perseverance has paid off in a big way.

From the first A.L. Kauffman was guided by these three business rules:

• Be fair - A full measure, heaped and overflowing.
• Be kind - Build a business on the strength of having good neighbors, and being good neighbors.
• Be Visionary - Establish a business that could provide work for family, and those that lived around the Kauffman's.

2015

It is a new year! We will still operate under the same roof and principles, but also look ahead to the new year. Lonnie Kauffman said something about 2014 that outstandingly shows why and how Kauffman’s Fruit Farm operates, and how we are thankful, and I wanted to share that with our customers.

One of my friends told me once that farmers understand patience and preparation in business more than some other industries because they must patiently prepare for the harvest (and associated income) for 6-8 months before it actually happens. I'm not sure how far to take that, but it seems to me that this year, our gratitude should be extra-vibrant. The harvest was great, local customers bought our products almost in record numbers, and our 100th anniversary is starting soon. God has blessed us, and we are thankful.

Thank you to you all!

To celebrate the first week of the New Year we are giving away one box of assorted fruit butters (4- ½ pint jars, your choice) with a $20 purchase in-store. Just stop by to see us and spend that amount and make sure to mention how you heard about it.

Happy New Year from Kauffman's!

Raspberry or Peach Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

1-2 Bricks of cream cheese, depending on number of guests (serves approximately 15-20)

1 jar of Peach Jalapeño Jam or Red Raspberry Jalapeño Jam

Crackers or Bread: the best kinds to serve are either a flaky, buttery cracker, wheat thins or toast, or a thinly sliced crostini, toasted

Instructions:

Take a serving tray or pretty dish, lay on a brick of cream cheese, and spread a layer of jam over top until about ¼” thick, and let the jam drip down over the side. Garnish with mint or rosemary and serve with the crackers or bread.

May this next year be full of blessings, delicious foods and fruits, and fullness of a good life! We are looking forward and excited for the next year spent in the orchards and in the market, and serving the community of Bird-in-Hand and beyond.