Apple farma 3- generation operation
Three generations keep Halfmoon farm running
HALFMOON, N. Y. » A large billboard advertising the new Rivers Casino & Hotel in Schenectady looms over the apple trees at DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchard.
At first glance, the sign looks out of place, but farmowner Larry DeVoe says it’s a perfect
fit.
“The biggest gamble in the world is farming,” said DeVoe, 85, patriarch of this multi- generation, familyrun business. “It’s absolutely appropriate.”
Following an extremely poor apple crop last year, caused by the weather, he’s hoping for a better harvest this fall, but all bets are off until fruit is picked and graded for quality. The first early- season variety, Paula Red, is already available at the farm’s Route 9 retail stand, with more than a half- dozen other types soon to follow after Labor Day.
DeVoe’s main reason for concern is a series of four hail storms that passed through the area from May to early July.
Apples have good size and color, but he won’t know how much damage they suffered until they’re off the trees. Apples are priced based on their quality, and little dents and dings can greatly affect profits.
That’s why DeVoe knows better, as the old saying goes, than to put all his eggs in one basket.
“You’ve got to diversify or you’re not going to make it,” he said.
In addition to 40 acres of apples, the farm raises another 40 acres of fresh vegetables. The biggest crop is sweet corn. However, cucumbers, peppers, cabbage and squash are just a few of the other types of produce available.
“Whatever it takes to make a living,” said Ava DeVoe, Larry’s wife of 62 years.
Four of the couple’s 10 adult children work on the farm along with several of their 31 grandchildren. The DeVoes also have 15 great- grandchildren.
Hard work, determination and perseverance are key ingredients to the farm’s success since 1896, when Larry DeVoe’s grandfather, George Hatlee, started out with a small dairy. Larry’s father, Merritt DeVoe, planted the first apple trees in 1926.
A sprawling Cortland tree, dating to 1931, still stands outside the retail store.
Aside from important
character traits, Ava DeVoe attributes the farm’s longevity to one thing.
“Family,” she said. “Absolutely. That’s the bottom line.”
Her grandson, 13- yearold Jacob Mein, couldn’t agree more.
“It’s family- owned,” he said. “If you get in trouble you always have someone to help you out.”
That’s why his longrange goal is stay involved and help keep the business running when he gets out of school. Mein handles a variety of tasks from field work to the front end, where he checks people out on the cash register.
“I really like working on the machinery and driving it,” he said.
The farm’s diverse revenue stream even includes a tiny U. S. post office, quite possibly the smallest one in Saratoga County. The DeVoes’ daughter, Joy Mein, is postmaster of the 10- foot by 10- foot space the postal service leases.
“It brought us a whole new customer base,” she said. “It gave people another reason to stop and find us. Once they find out what we have and what we do, they become regular customers, just another extension of the family.”
Joy Mein’s sister, Lynn Warn, runs a popular ice cream stand next to the farm store called Rainbow Delights.
Their brothers, Craig and Alan DeVoe, aremore directly involved with running the farm.
“All the kids have worked here,” Larry DeVoe said.
“I’ve worked here all my life. I was 9 years old when I drove tractor so they could spray. That’s the way you get started. You grow with the farm.”