Turner Farm: Apples & History

Turner Farm Living Heritage Project

At the heart of Buena Vista stands the 1910 Turner Farm & Apple Orchard, a living reminder of the town’s agricultural roots. For more than a century, families have planted, harvested, and shared stories under the shade of its apple trees. Today, Buena Vista Heritage stewards this site as both a museum and community gathering place — and now we need your help to ensure its future.

Preserving Rare Heritage Apples

Turner Farm is home to dozens of historic apple varieties, some over 100 years old. Many are rare, and some may be the last of their kind. With the help of DNA testing and orchard mapping, we are working to identify, preserve, and share these varieties so they are not lost forever.

Creating a Living Heritage Experience

Our project will install interpretive signage and tree ID tags with QR codes, allowing visitors to walk the orchard and learn about the history, science, and culture behind each tree. A large welcome panel and thematic signs will tell the story of Buena Vista’s farming past and its connection to today’s food heritage.

Supporting Pollinators & Sustainability

This isn’t just about apples — it’s about the environment. By planting native pollinator habitat and expanding irrigation support, we will create a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that our orchard — and our community — depend on.

Engaging the Community

Turner Farm is already a place where families gather: for concerts, children’s programs, festivals like AppleFest, and casual afternoons exploring the orchard. With your help, it will become an even richer educational resource — blending history, agriculture, and conservation into a living classroom.

The Budget

The Turner Farm Living Heritage Project is a true community effort. Some of the work will be supported through in-kind labor and plant donations, while much of it depends on donor contributions to move forward. Here’s how the project breaks down:

• Signage & Tree Tags – $6,585The largest expense, this covers one large welcome panel, five interpretive signs, and 50 tree ID tags with QR codes to tell the orchard’s story.

• Tree Mapping & Care – $2,884Volunteers and orchard specialists will continue the detailed work of documenting, pruning, and caring for each historic tree, ensuring their health for the future.

• Irrigation Support – $2,000Improvements to the orchard’s irrigation system will help sustain both trees and new pollinator habitat. BVH has already committed funds to support this portion of the project.

• Pollinator Habitat – $1,500Native plants and soil preparation will create a sustainable habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Some plants will be donated by community partners.

Total Project Value: $12,969

Why Your Gift Matters

We have applied for the Monarch Mountain Impact Grant to support this project, but community contributions are essential to making it possible. By giving, you will:

• Preserve and identify rare heritage apple varieties.

• Provide free, hands-on learning opportunities for families and students.

• Create sustainable pollinator habitat.

• Celebrate Buena Vista’s agricultural history through living heritage.

Join Us

When you support the Turner Farm Living Heritage Project, you’re not just helping trees. You’re investing in education, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of local history.

Together, we can ensure that Turner Farm continues to grow — for today’s community and for generations to come.

Give today, and help history take root.