About Mt. Ridge Farms
We are a family-owned and operated wholesale fruit farm located in beautiful South Central Pennsylvania, in the Adams County area. As a fifth-generation farm, we have grown and progressed into one of the leading apple growers in our area, producing a wide variety of apples. We currently farm approximately 600 acres in the rolling hills of Biglerville, Pennsylvania.
As progressive growers, we are always looking for new opportunities to improve and expand our growing practices. We continue to invest in high-density planting systems, irrigation, and new apple varieties to test in our orchards. Currently, we grow approximately 40 varieties of apples
Fruit farming is our livelihood, and we work every day to improve, grow, and provide quality fruit. We take great pride in what we do and hope to carry that same dedication and passion into future generations.
As a family-owned operation, all hands are on deck to get the job done. Our customers work directly with us—no middlemen, no unnecessary steps, just personal and reliable service. We are a close-knit family on the farm, and we value the relationships we've built with both our employees and customers. At Mt. Ridge Farms, you're more than just a customer; you're part of what keeps our family tradition growing.
Mt. Ridge Farms' History
The family farm has many years of history growing and transitioning into what it is now. The fruit farm industry is a progressive industry and Mt. Ridge Farms strives to keep up with the times.
1936
Glen Allen Slaybaugh, known as GA, was a hard working local farmer of the Adams County area. This year he decided to make the life changing decision and invest in buying Mt. Ridge Farms from the original owner, Elyis Huffman. Elyis Huffman bought Mt. Ridge Farms at the turn of the Century in the 1900s. Mt. Ridge Farms started out producing a variety of crops, raising cattle and tending to the original 40 year old apple trees.
1947
During this year, Mt. Ridge Farms invested in its first planting of new apple trees. Wheat and corn were planted between the rows to make the most of the available farmland. Around this time, Richard Slaybaugh, son of G.A. Slaybaugh, moved his family into the Mt. Ridge Farms farmhouse. Richard, better known as Dick, worked daily on the farm, tending to the crops and earning just 75 cents per hour.
1960
As the farm transitioned to the next generation, G.A. Slaybaugh passed the family operation down to his son, Dick Slaybaugh. During this time, the Slaybaugh family also operated a tree nursery, selling trees for just 65 cents each. Orchard plantings were spaced approximately 40 x 20 feet, averaging 54 trees per acre. This spacing allowed enough room for water and spray tanks to travel side by side between the rows. Over the following years, planting methods progressed to 20 x 20-foot spacing, allowing for approximately 100 to 180 trees per acre as orchard practices continued to evolve.
1979
Mt. Ridge Farms becomes incorporated. The farm invest in their very first sprayer tank for the orchards.
1993
During this year, Dick and his wife, Jean, passed the family farm on to their son, Steve, and his wife, Judy Slaybaugh. This transition marked another chapter in the farm’s history, carrying on the Slaybaugh family legacy and laying the foundation for future generations to continue growing and improving Mt. Ridge Farms.
2015
During this year, Steve and his wife, Judy, passed the family farm down to their son, David, and his wife, Wendy Slaybaugh, continuing the Mt. Ridge Farms legacy into another generation. David took on the role of President, overseeing daily farm operations, while his father, Steve, remained actively involved in the farm. Blake, David's son and a fifth-generation member of the Slaybaugh family, stepped into the role of Vice President, helping carry the family tradition forward.
2017
In this year, Blake's wife, Terra, joined the Mt. Ridge Farms family business. Working alongside Wendy, David's wife, Terra became involved in the day-to-day office operations, helping support the continued growth and success of the family farm.
