What a treat it was for Union County CEO to spend the morning at Flamm Orchards! 🍎 A huge thank you to Jeff Flamm, Austin Flamm, and Parker Flamm for opening their doors. Since our visit happened to fall on Jeff's birthday, the class kicked things off by singing "Happy Birthday" to him. We're so grateful he chose to spend part of his special day with us!
With 138 years of history dating back to the late 1800s, Flamm Orchards is so much more than a favorite local stop. Students were surprised to learn it's a true commercial grower, supplying retailers like Rural King and shipping fruit to Wisconsin, Kansas, and as far as New York. Even students who have visited Flamm's countless times walked away with a new appreciation for how far its impact reaches beyond Southern Illinois.
Austin and Parker led us behind the scenes, and we saw the operation in action: apples being washed, quality-checked, labeled, stickered, and bagged. While every piece of fruit is still hand-picked and packed by a crew of more than 110 workers, modern machinery keeps it moving quickly to get the best quality product on shelves fast. One student summed it up well: big investments can pay off in the long run. The class was also impressed by the massive cooling rooms (big enough to hold all of Cobden's students and staff!) and the new automatic sealing cooler doors.
A highlight for many was the bakery, where the smell alone won everyone over. Students saw firsthand how much care goes into making jams, even after a recipe has been perfected. Flamm's growth into baked goods, jams, and applesauce, along with expanding where its produce is sold, taught the class a valuable lesson: always keep an eye out for the next opportunity to move your business forward, big or small.
Austin and Parker also gave an honest look at the challenges facing agriculture today, including how policy affects farming and how the H-2A program brings in the hardworking crews who help keep the orchard running each season.
What stood out most was seeing three generations of the Flamm family sharing their story with so much pride. Students described the visit as laid-back but incredibly educational, and we can't wait to see what Austin and Parker bring to the orchard in the years ahead. And yes, the donuts were every bit as delicious as you'd hope! 🍩
Thank you, Flamm Orchards, for your time, your hospitality, and your investment in our students!
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