The story starts with Great Grandpa Hartman who had an orchard and planted an interest in our current patriarch, Steve, interested. 

In 1981, Steve and a friend, Rich Johnson, purchased an acre of land to start their apple orchards. Together, they learned to tend the trees. At that time, Steve's oldest, Ben, was 4, Russ was 2, Andy was born later that same year, and eventually, the youngest, Betsy, joined the flock. So, the next generation of Hartman kids grew up helping at Great Grandpa's farm, and around the orchard and market at their own home. 

Then, in 2004 Alex, the oldest of Steve's grandchildren, was born to Russ and Erin. Her birth was the first of the next generation of the Hartman Apple Empire. Next was Jack, her brother, Max, Ben's son, then Hank and Grayson, Andy's sons, and eventually Eli and Tilly, Betsy's kids. This new generation is growing up running through the rows, climbing the trees, and learning how to help manage the orchard. Each member of the family has taken on different aspects of assisting, but all of us have started to become known as the “Apple Family” in our community. 

The market and the orchard are both still thriving with lively chatter and hard work, and over the years it has evolved and forked off new branches. We press cider and sell apple butter, and Russ's kids even hand make and sell giant, hand-made, caramel apples!