The Accidental Apple Grower

Chris Hedges didn’t grow up on a farm, nor did he plan to be a farmer. But when his parents purchased a farm in Norfolk County, he became intrigued by the 20-acre orchard on the property.

Today, Chris farms 332 acres of apples and runs Ontario Orchard Supply, a business providing equipment to other apple growers. He also operates a cold storage facility equipped with advanced technology that allows him to store apples for extended periods while maintaining their “just-picked” freshness. This innovation means Ontario apples are available nearly year-round, giving consumers access to high-quality fruit long after the harvest season.

Chris’s farm has come a long way from those initial 20 acres. Over time, he bought several other farms, growing their business into the commercial operation it is today.

Chris attributes his success to a willingness to adopt new techniques and technologies. His orchard operates under a high-density system, which maximizes both the yield and the quality of the apples grown. His farm produces a mix of varieties, including Honeycrisp, Gala, and Ambrosia and new varieties such as Rave®.

Ontario’s unpredictable weather can make or break an apple crop, and Chris has learned that the hard way. After a damaging frost in 2010, he installed frost fans in his orchard. These fans automatically kick in when temperatures drop, keeping the air circulating and preventing frost from settling on the blossoms, which has helped Chris’s farm produce a crop when many others couldn’t.

From his unexpected beginnings to his forward-thinking approach, Chris Hedges exemplifies how passion, perseverance, and a readiness to embrace innovation can drive success in apple farming.