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| Carol and Bob Deutscher in the early 70's on their first trip to Alabama |
"Bob Deutscher was born and raised in northern Indiana and for years had a thriving fruit growing operation there. But there came a time, says Deutscher, when he had to pick the fruit before it ripened to turn a profit.
'I started searching for some suitable land in the South where I could add another orchard to capture the early northern market,' Deutscher says.
Deutscher looked over many sites in several southern states before purchasing the 126-acre site on Crow Mountain which he has developed into the largest fruit growing operation in the state.
Deutscher recalls he was walking around the property one day when he came to the highest elevation and thought, 'My God, Bob, what more are you looking for,' and decided then this site was it.
The Crow Mountain site at its highest elevation is 1,720 feet, most suitable for growing fruit, according to Deutscher, because of the warm days and cool nights.
When the Deutschers started their Crow Mountain operation in 1974, Bob had intentions of shipping his fruit out to capture the early northern wholesale market.
'We were so far from everything, I never dreamed anyone would come out here to buy my fruit,' says Deutscher, but much to his surprise the quality of his fruit has brought people their way and today most of his fruit is sold locally....
He has spent much to preserve and protect his fruit trees by trellising them, a unique system for this area, according to Dr. Arlie Powell, Auburn horticulturist.
His trees stand straight in rows protected by the trellises which Powell says only five or six other growers use statewide... The trellis, a locust post placed between each tree and strung with three plastic coated wires supports the tree to prevent wind and the weight of the fruit from breaking the limbs....
Powell, who has worked with fruit growers all over the state, says the Crow Mountain apples 'have the best color in the state, as well as being tasty because of its (orchard's) elevation...."
From the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives Magazine, October 1986.
" If the old saying, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' is true, then Bob and Carol Deutscher should be very healthy.... They grow apples--Jonathan, Golden and Red Delicious, McIntosh, Winesap, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty, 20 oz. Pippin, Arkansas Black, and a new variety to this area, Mutsu. They also have over 1500 peach and nectarine trees--52 varieties of peaches and three of nectarines....
The orchards are a full time job according Carol. 'We work from daylight to dark, 365 days a year,' she stated.... Bob and I work all aspects of the business, except when the season starts. Then I work mostly in sales. The season begins with peaches about the middle of June and ends with apples the middle of December....'
Bob and Carol enthusiastically agree on their love for this part of the country. (Says Carol), 'The scenery and the people are wonderful.'
Bob and Carol Deutscher, Owners