Curt Fifer

Submitted by Jodi Risse, AACPS Supervisor of Food Services

Mr. Fifer is an AACPS: Business Partner | Local Farmer

Fifer Orchards is a 4th generation farm located in Wyoming, DE.  Over 2,500 acres produce multiple fruits and vegetables for the community and local school systems, including Anne Arundel County Public Schools.  The farm employs six full time family partners Curt Fifer is the youngest out of three brothers working on the farm and is also the farmer working with Anne Arundel County Public Schools.  The farm grows strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, blueberries, peaches, sweet corn, apples, and kale.  (Fifer Orchards and their strawberries were featured on Tasting of the Rainbow–click here to watch). 

Over 95 years ago, Curt’s Great Grandfather came to Wyoming DE from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to harvest fruits and vegetables, due to the “Sandy Loam” soil and access to water needed for growing fruits and vegetables. The soil on the farm drains well, allowing farm hands to till and plant quickly and easily.  If the climate becomes too dry, the farm has access to water for irrigation.

Each year Fifer Orchards hosts multiple festivals to celebrate fruits and vegetables. They celebrate strawberries in May, Peaches in August, and in September and October they celebrate the fall season with apples and pumpkins. The Fall Festival includes a corn maze, educational activities and other fun events all about nutrition.

Fifer Orchards is Global GAP Certified. This certification honors farms that follow Good Agricultural Practices.  The farm sells produce to Coastal Sunbelt who is the food distributor responsible for providing the students in all Anne Arundel County Public Schools with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fifer Orchards grows eight months of the year. The growing season begins in April and ends in November.  In season, the farm employs approximately 140 staff, off season the farm maintains approximately 12 staff members.

Fifer Orchards has had the pleasure to grow local produce for Anne Arundel County Public Schools for several years. Each year, they host staff to visit the farm and tour the operation.  This past year, they provided multiple products and hosted two video tapings to showcase the operation.   This past year we sold several million pounds of local produce, while Anne Arundel County Public Schools served over 258,000 pounds of local produce to the students in AACPS.

Follow Fifer Orchards on Twitter: @fiferorchards.com