Having just celebrated their 15-year wedding anniversary, Ben and Brooke Gammie’s story appears to be pulled straight out of a romantic comedy. Ben grew up on an apple orchard in Berlin Heights, Ohio; a city of roughly 700 residents. Contrast that with Brooke, who was more accustomed to the desert and city life of Phoenix, Arizona, and, at first, they may have seemed like an unlikely pairing. The couple originally met while working as civil engineers in Austin, Texas, and quickly fell in love. From the beginning of their relationship, Brooke knew that Ben’s heart was with his family’s 400-acre orchard back in Ohio.
“I knew very quickly the farm was a big part of him before I had even been here,” Brooke shared. “I didn't want Ben to ever choose between me and the farm. I accepted them as one package.”
After having their second child, Brooke and Ben knew their lifestyle required more flexibility and decided that the best move for them and their children was to return to the Gammie family orchard, still run by Ben’s father, Bill. Brooke explained, “I just wanted more control over our busy lives. I wanted more meaning. I gave Ben a big kiss one day and just said, yes, I want to. We can do this together.”
Once they returned to Berlin Heights, however, Ben and Brooke quickly realized that they needed to expand the orchard operation to successfully go from supporting a single family to now two. “We had to be really strategic in planning for growth. Farm Credit Mid-America was with us every step of the way to help us achieve our goals, making sure we were being fiscally responsible,” shared Ben.
Today, Brooke and Ben both work the Quarry Hill Orchards as third-generation farmers. They prioritize selling their products right out the front door. Brooke explained, “We have a really strong pick-your-own program. Ben and the crew keep the orchards gorgeous. People pick their own fruit; enjoy some music; have something off the food truck; shop at the market barn; take a wagon ride—all to enjoy what we're doing. It's what our customers like the most about visiting us—the variety we offer.”
In addition to hosting community harvest celebrations and opening the farm up to school groups and tours, the couple acquired an on-site winery and built a retail market barn on the land. The farm’s mission also includes educating their local community about farming and Brooke leads the charge as the designated “Orchard Outreach Officer.”
“There are so many organizations and opportunities that allow us to leverage our infrastructure, the land and operation and our family to support our community,” Brooke shared. “It's important to us and our brand that we participate and support our community as much as we can.”
Ben credits his father’s strong relationship with Farm Credit Mid-America as a key factor to their success. Through Farm Credit Mid-America, Ben completed the Growing Forward® program and joined the Advocate Council – a diverse group of 320 customers who represent rural communities across the Association’s service territory.
The Growing Forward® program helps reduce the barriers for young, beginning and first-time farmers by providing access to the farm loan and financial education opportunities and support they need to build a thriving operation. Backed by the stability of the Farm Credit Mid-America cooperative, customers can enjoy cooperative benefits and the potential to earn patronage† on eligible loans. To qualify, farmers must be 35 years old or younger or have less than 10 years of farming experience.
Ben, Brooke and the entire Gammie family plan to continue expanding Quarry Hill Orchards. Thanks to their partnership with Farm Credi Mid-America, they feel more confident than ever to do so successfully. Ben shared, “With our friends at Farm Credit Mid-America, they can steer us to make sure there will be a fourth generation of farmers someday.”
Interested in growing your own operation? Learn how Farm Credit Mid-America could help finance your dream.
† Patronage is an annual decision made by the Board of Directors to return earnings to eligible customers. To learn more about patronage or patronage eligibility, please visit our Patronage page.
