Our History

Samuel Huey Penland started Penland Orchards when he planted Shockley and Limbertwig apple trees he brought with  him by covered wagon from North Carolina on a farm he acquired in the mid-1800’s. His son, Thomas Young Penland, sold the farm, later repurchased by his son, Samuel Oscar Penland, Sr., in 1936. Mr. Penland grew Single Red, Stayman Winesap, Detroit and Yate varieties. These huge trees required struggling with 18-foot ladders, hand picking into bushel boxes, and hand spraying.

 

Samuel’s youngest son, Thomas Lewis Penland, shared his father’s love for farming. He helped his father while attending school at the University of Georgia. In 1946, after serving two years in World War II, Thomas returned to devoting his full time to the farm, developingacreage into production. During the 1960’s, the farm was expanded from a few acres to around 100 acres of apple trees. Thomas continued operation of the farm until his death in 1992. The business is now run by his sons, John and Lee Penland.

 

Penland Orchards now includes two retail locations in addition to the wholesale business. We provide an assortment of apple products including jams and jellies, apple butter, dried apples, honey, syrup and a wide variety of gifts and apparel.