Ken and Glenda Justus of Fruitland own a direct market and pick-your-own orchard in the Fruitland community.
More than 50 years ago, the couple planted their first apple trees near the location of today’s North Henderson High School, said Glenda Justus.
When the school was built, the apple growers were told they could no longer spray the crop when someone was at the school.
“We had this orchard going then and decided to move up here (Garren Road),” she said.
The direct market outlet also sells locally-grown vegetables and fruits, such as cabbage, beans, cantaloupe and okra. Apple cider is also available, along with apples, peaches, blackberries and pumpkins.
The bakery at the direct market features fried apple pies, cobblers and apple cider doughnuts, using fruit grown on the farm.
Ken Justus also sells rugs made with looper clips at the Henderson County Curb Market.
“My mother, Edna, and my dad helped build the Curb Market,” he said. “My wife makes the rugs now. We still have the loom my mom used.”
Justus also has apples for sale that he keeps in cold storage and makes wrought-iron candle holders.
“Nobody is selling candle holders,” he said. “It’s something to fill in with when I don’t have fresh vegetables.”