POWERED BY THE PASSION OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COLLECTIVE LOVE OF THE LAND
Our audacious apples are ecologically grown with intention and care - healthier for the soil, healthier for you! Everything we produce is an expression of our family owned orchards. From our 175+ varieties of fruits to our handcrafted provisions and crisp ciders, we invite you to discover the taste of the Champlain Valley and this beautiful place we call home.
our history
Champlain Orchards began in 1998 when Bill Suhr, at 27 years old, purchased 60 acres in Shoreham, Vermont, motivated by a dream to live sustainably off the land. Despite lacking experience in apple growing and fruit farming, Bill’s passion for the environment and his entrepreneurial spirit drove the orchard's transformation.
Today, Champlain Orchards is a testament to sustainable agricultural success, managing over 220 acres and offering more than 115 varieties of apples alongside a diverse range of fruits like plums, peaches, and berries.
From its early days, the orchard has grown through community collaboration, the support of knowledgeable neighbors, and the indispensable help of Bill’s wife and business partner, Andrea Scott. Together, they have nurtured the orchard into a vital source of locally grown, ecologically conscious produce. Andrea, with her background in integrated natural resources and passion for community education, has been pivotal in developing the orchard’s Eco Apple and Organic programs. Her influence ensures that the orchard remains dedicated to ethical farming practices.
Bill and Andrea’s personal story is woven deeply into the orchard's fabric. They met in Vermont, bonded over shared values of nourishment and community service, and now raise their two children in the orchard's lush environment. Their family life reflects their commitment to the land—a commitment that extends to their professional lives. They've innovatively expanded the orchard's operations to include not only fresh fruits but also value-added products like sweet cider, hard cider, and homemade pies, all produced with the same ecological care.
The growth of Champlain Orchards has been substantial. Annually, the orchard harvests over 100,000 bushels of apples, largely due to the introduction of diverse and disease-resistant apple varieties. This bounty supports not just local markets but also reaches schools, hospitals, and stores across the region, underscoring the orchard’s impact on Vermont’s local food system. The team at Champlain Orchards, which swells to 75 members during the harvest season, shares a collective pride in their work and the products they deliver.
As Champlain Orchards looks to the future, Bill and Andrea continue to push the boundaries of what it means to be a modern orchard. They embrace the challenges of balancing life and work while deepening their commitment to the community and the environment. Their story is not just about growing apples but about cultivating a lifestyle and a community rooted in respect for the land and each other.
Champlain Orchards stands as a beacon of sustainable agriculture and community integration, inviting everyone to experience the fruits of a conscientiously cultivated life. Bill often reflects on his journey with a humble sense of amazement at the orchard’s evolution, and together with Andrea, looks forward to fostering further growth and innovation. At Champlain Orchards, every apple is a promise of quality, care, and community—a promise that grows stronger with each passing season.