🍎 153 years of roots, and still growing.

The UCCEO team recently spent a beautiful morning at Rendleman Orchards, visiting with Michelle Sirles. Michelle and her husband, Wayne Sirles, son of Ren and Betty, represent the fifth generation to carry on the incredible 153-year legacy of their family farm. While they take great pride in their rich heritage, they're equally passionate about embracing innovative, forward-thinking ideas to keep the farm thriving for generations to come.

Standing outside the Farm Market that Betty lovingly started years ago, Michelle shared a glimpse into their journey of growth. Retail sales, which once accounted for just 10% of the business, have grown to nearly 30%, thanks to thoughtful expansion and a vision to make Rendleman Orchards a true destination. Their wholesale and commercial operations remain strong, while their retail and agri-tourism efforts continue to flourish, from pick-your-own pumpkins and flowers to an online store. That growth brings new attention not only to their farm, but to family farms, specialty growers, and agri-tourism businesses across the region and beyond.

A wonderful addition to their legacy: Rendleman Orchards is now officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and even more remarkably, as its own Historic District! The family first set this goal in 2016, began the official process in 2022, and received the listing near the end of the 2025 season, making 2026 their first full season with this prestigious designation. After more than a year of additional effort, and four years of work in total, Rendleman's has also been added to the National Park Service's interactive Heritage Travel Map. 🗺️

That recognition matters for our entire region. Michelle shared that research shows heritage travelers stay an average of five nights in an area, compared to three for a typical road traveler, and spend about 25% more. That means more visitors discovering our restaurants, wineries, shops, and lodging. The designation also shines a light on the long history of fruit growing in Southern Illinois and on Union County's role as an agricultural hub, then and now. The impact is already visible: the ribbon tree Michelle created this year holds ribbons from visitors as far away as Russia and India.

📖 Read more about this monumental recognition: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17TLcsQURo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🗺️ Explore the NPS Heritage Travel Map: https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=7ad17cc9-b808-4ff8-a2f9-a99909164466

Our team left with valuable lessons they'll carry into their own work:

💡 Find what sets you apart. As one team member reflected, "What they do differently is their history!”

📣 Marketing matters. The team was surprised to learn that poor marketing is a leading reason many small startups fail, and that reaching the right audience is essential.

🔄 Embrace change and stay fresh. Michelle shared how networking events, conversations with fellow business owners, and collaboration inspired changes to the layout of the market. Successful businesses keep finding new ways to grow and stay flexible to meet their customers' needs.

🌦️ Plan to pivot. One team member connected this directly to our class business: "Our team needs to be prepared to adjust our plans instead of letting a problem that we cannot control prevent us from success."

🤝 Honor the people who help you grow. Take care of those who helped you get where you are, and those helping you get where you want to go. One team member also reflected on the value of knowing your strengths, limits, and boundaries, and on learning to ask for help instead of trying to do everything alone.

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing not just your morning, but fresh doughnuts, apple cider slushies (DELICIOUS, by the way!), swag, and MANY pieces of advice and inspiration. Our heartfelt thanks also go to you and Wayne, Ren and Betty, the Sirles and Rendleman families, and the entire Rendleman Orchards team for preserving and growing this Southern Illinois treasure for generations to come. We had a great time! 🍎❤️🍏

#UnionCountyCEO #MidlandInstitute #RendlemanOrchards #ShopLocal #SouthernIllinois #Entrepreneurship #HeritageTravel