Working hand-in-hand with the earth and with its ancient energy has long been the philosophy of Sue Hurd Machamer and her daughter, Amy Machamer. Even though the owners of Hurd Orchards recently inked a business deal with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., it will not change the essence of who they are and what they do, they said. "I think what makes us stand out is that we are farmers first," Amy said. "A lot of the spirit of our product is that we take it from the earth to the table." The mother and daughter team take meticulous care of the earth and its bounty on the farmland that has been in the family since the early 1800s. Products have been sold from the Ridge Road, Holley location since the early 1900s and the present market was built in the late 1970s. Due to their longevity they have a clear sense of who they are, the younger teammate said. "The marketing of ourselves and our product is not something we created," she said. "Our marketing is who we are and what our products are about. We're excited about our farm, our plants and our community." The women say the products they create reflect their philosophies and their love of the land. They have a clear vision of the direction their business has taken and will continue to take and they plan to keep trying new ideas and products. If they can dream it up and grow it, chances are at some point an individual can purchase it at their shop, or through the Martha Stewart catalog or website, they said. "Our farm philosophy centers around our love of the history and development of fruit growing in our small piece of rural America, our endless appreciation for the earth's gifts, and for the beauty which surrounds us in each season," their brochure reads. They believe they have been given a mission to share the love of their farming world, explore heirloom recipes for the beautiful jars of preserves and cordials. "We experiment with both very old and brand new varieties of fruit and flowers and we offer our beautiful creations to our guests," Amy said. Their association with Stewart's corporation began as the result of taking their products to the International Fancy Food Show in Chicago. Martha Stewart representatives saw, and tasted, their products and asked them to overnight samples to their offices. Following the initial meeting and contact in the spring of 2000, a frenzy of activity from choosing and making the product and helping work out the packaging of the preserves, jams, jellies and conserves, Hurd Orchard products have begun appearing in the Martha Stewart catalog. Their products are featured in four different gift baskets including a jam sampler, a hot chocolate basket, a tea basket and a breakfast basket. The pair said the deal would help them double their cannery production to more than 60,000 jars of homemade specialties this year. "We have been told they are already having back orders on our products," Machamer said. While Hurd Orchard's retail site is officially closed for the winter, either Amy or Sue attempts to be at the shop sometime from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, but they suggest calling before making the trip out to the shop. The pair is always at some stage in the jam and jelly making process whether the retail site is closed or not, they said. "We ship products all year long," Sue said, adding they will soon be gearing up for the Valentine rush. Many brides come to Hurd Orchards during the off-season to discuss the floral arrangements, and possible baked goods, for their upcoming nuptials. The shop officially re-opens May 1 and the first signature event to be conducted there will be the annual Mother's Day Tea. The event is by reservation only, the women said. "The Tea is a kick-off activity for us," Amy said. "We decorate with blooming spring flowers and serve high tea on fine china for our guests." Note: Hurd Orchards, 3733 Hurd Road, Holley, can be reached at 638-8838 or by fax at 638-5175. |
