Troy Twp. – Sandee and Joe Orlowski were interested in buying some land where they could raise their six children, share their faith, and teach them about agriculture. Though neither had experience in cultivation they felt prompted by God to bid when they learned that the Blue Jay Orchard, which is located near extended family, went up for auction. Unfortunately, they didn’t win the bid. They were later notified that the first bid fell through, and jumped at the chance to buy it.
The news met with mixed reviews from their kids, who range in age from 19 to 5 years old. “Some were excited, and some not so much,” chuckled Sandee. “But everyone has the thing they like about it.” She explained that while the older kids can help with weighing pick-your-own blueberries or other tasks like mowing or picking fruit, younger kids can help with “anything else that needs doing,” since the vast orchard provides much that needs to be done. The homeschooling family currently lives in Auburn and commutes daily to the Orchard.
Blue Jay Orchard began in the late 1940s when A.J. Soika began planting standard size apple trees. In 1954, they opened the orchard to allow visitors to pick their own apples, the first farm in the state to do so. In 1976, Lowell and Mary Evans purchased the orchard, which they ran with the children until 2019, when Joe and Sandee Orlowski purchased the orchard from them at auction.
Since the Orlowski family is learning from scratch, they decided to move the growing model from conventional to holistic. The holistic approach utilizes organic-approved products to control pests and disease. Holistic specialist, Michael Phillips, is mentoring the couple. “We feel a responsibility to our customers and family to grow our produce in the best way possible,” Sandee explained.
“For that reason, we are taking a more proactive approach to boost the trees’ immune capabilities and use the pest life cycle against itself to reduce pests before they start,” explained Joe. “In this way, we are able to produce the best possible fruit for you, in the best possible way for the environment,” Sandee added. They note that Blue Jay is the only orchard in Northeast Ohio who doesn’t use pesticides.
Blue Jay’s first season using these new methods began in late June with blueberry season, which recently ended; apple season will begin soon. Blue Jay offers a vast array of apple varieties, familiar favorites include Gala, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Braeburn, Northern Spy, Spy Gold, and Winesap spread throughout the season. Lack of pesticides means that while their apples will still taste delicious, they may not look like perfect ‘grocery store apples’, and the couple hopes that local families appreciate this distinction. This year, Blue Jay will offer fresh-pressed cider made with their own apples, as well.
In addition, they offer honey from hives at the orchard, which are maintained by local company, Chickabuzz. “Trish Harness takes such good care of the bees,” Joe noted. And those bees are certainly happy with the orchard’s new no-spray approach, if the fact that over 200 pounds of honey have been harvested and sold from Blue Jay’s hives this season is any indication.
The Orlowskis called on their friend Holly Michelson, who visited the Orchard during an outing with the adoptive/foster family group where Sandee and Holly met. After seeing her work on the mural in Mantua, Sandee asked Michelson to paint the orchard’s new logo in a prominent location on the barn that serves as the orchard’s market, and Michelson quickly agreed.
The logo includes two blue jays and a tree, as well as apples, blueberries, and a flower to signify honey, incorporates everything the orchard offers. The symbols also convey what the endeavor means to the Orlowski family. A cross over all highlights the faith that sustains the family, while the tree’s six leaves represent each Orlowski child, each an integral part of the family’s new venture.
In addition to showcasing their brand-new logo, the Orlowskis are currently working to paint the market barn a crisp navy blue, and re-roof it with steel shingles — something enduring that shows their commitment to this new endeavor. They’ll also add an extensive porch to the front wall, making it more inviting for visitors. They anticipate completion within the next few months, weather permitting.
Orlowski sees the potential for using the location for other outings and events in the coming months and years. While the orchard’s current two-bedroom house isn’t large enough for their immediate family, it is home to a member of their extended family.
Orlowski noted the miraculous nature of their journey so far, sharing, “It’s cool when an idea begins to take shape, and all the pieces start to fall in place.” “God’s got a plan,” marveled Sandee. Future plans for the orchard include hosting field trip trips, camps, and eventually, serving as an outdoor event venue or Air BNB.
Blue Jay Orchard is located at 17909 Rapids Road in Troy Township. Find out more by calling (440) 834-4318, on Facebook, or by visiting them online at bluejayorchard.com
