Going higher to finish later


Climate change and late-harvestmarket opportunitiesmotivate Carlsons to expand cherry orchards. By Susan McIver


W


ith the goal of producing the latest ripening cherries in North America, Keith and Jan Carlson recently purchased 160 acres in Meadow Valley northwest of Summerland.


The Carlsons own Carcajou Fruit Co. Ltd. in Summerland and sell their fruit under the Sweet Diamond box label. Several factors led them to finalize the purchase agreement in September. They were approached by a desirable business partner because of their thorough knowledge of the fruit industry. In addition, younger members of the family made the commitment to become involved.


Located on Savanna Road at the northern most end of Meadow Valley, the property includes former hay fields, forested land and rocky ridges. The Carlson family owns 50 of the 160 acres while 110 acres are owned jointly by the family and an American partner and leased to Savanna Ridge Cherry Inc.


“Cherry trees have been in the area for 20 years, so we know they will survive here,” Keith said.


The Carlsons will plant cherries on 65 of the 110 acres up to an elevation of 2,900 feet.


The town of Summerland has an elevation of 1,490 feet.


“This is the future of cherry growing in B.C. Climate change has started to dictate that we look at higher elevation places like this,” Keith said.


He thinks many other crops will also be planted at higher elevations as the climate warms.


For some time, Keith has recognized that the B.C. cherry industry is consolidating, with medium and large growers producing most of the fruit. The Carlsons operate 50 acres of cherries, six acres of apples and 1.5 aces of nectarines plus a packing house equipped with a state-of-the-art optical


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SUSAN MCIVER


Keith and Jan Carlson, recently purchased 160 acres in Meadow Valley near Summerland, where they want to produce the latest ripening cherries in North America.


defect dry sorting line. “We've understood for a long time the advantage of being part of a customer supply chain,” Jan said. The American partner, who wishes to remain anonymous, approached the Carlsons in the fall of 2014 with a particular interest in having access to the latest cherries in North America. “He has a supply chain of markets throughout the world and will take everything we can grow,” Keith said. The Meadow Valley property is a few degrees cooler than the town of Summerland and receives about the same amount of precipitation but with a later snow melt.


“We have a good southern exposure at Savanna Ridge and are counting on the open slopes to move the frost off in the spring,” Jan said.


She explained that no one has undertaken this sort of planting at this high an elevation in Summerland yet. “With the proper use of wind, water and cultivar selection we hope to be picking Sentennial cherries in September five years from now.” The first trees will be planted this coming April.


Most plantings will be Sentennial but there will also be some of Sweetheart and Staccato.


The trees, which are being custom grown in the U.S., are anticipated to


yield their first good-sized harvest in 2020.


The Carlsons will most likely pack the first few harvests of cherries but arrangements might change at a later date.


“Savanna Ridge cherries will probably go to Europe but we don't know that for sure,” Jan said.


Most of the fruit will be sent by air freight while some will go by container ship.


A significant amount of the development work has been done, but much remains to be accomplished before the first cherry is picked or even the first tree is planted.


“Whenever possible, we're using local contractors for the development work,” Jan said.


Six test wells were drilled this summer.


A storage lagoon will be built and electric power installed to operate the pump houses.


The work has included installing 9,600 feet of nine-foot-high highway grade fencing and taking extensive soil samples.


“The good quality soil is exactly what you'd want for growing cherries,” Keith said.


In general, the property slopes downhill in a southeasterly direction and has good drainage.


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