Chazy Orchards gets new owners

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August 14, 2010

By DAN HEATH Staff Writer The Press Republican Sat Aug 14, 2010, 03:28 AM EDT

CHAZY — There is new ownership at Chazy Orchards.

Giroux Poultry owners Roger, Craig and Willie Giroux closed on acquisition of the well-known local orchard July 30.

TIME FOR CHANGE

Longtime owner Donald "Tre" Green said this week that he contacted the Girouxs in March to gauge their interest because he had no family members who wanted to take over and he has faced health problems the last few years.

"It got to the point where it was time," Green said. "I gave Craig a call and asked if he was interested."

JOBS WILL STAY

The Girouxs plan to continue the business as it is, including continued work for the 35 to 40 full-time employees. Green said that was one of his main goals.

Willie said that is even more important now, given the fate of the Pfizer facilities in Chazy and Rouses Point. The quality, experienced work force was one of the driving factors that led the Girouxs to buy the orchard, he said.

"It all starts with Tre," Willie said. "The passion the crew has for the orchard is impressive. They all regard it as their own."

Craig said Green has agreed to stay on as a management consultant.

"We're very fortunate with that. I'm the first to admit we have a lot to learn."

CHAZY TIES

There are some similarities. Both businesses involve production, marketing and distribution, so they have some knowledge of the process.

"We know eggs. We've got to learn apples," Willie said.

Craig said the two families have known each other for many years, connected by their respective agriculture-based businesses and Chazy locations.

Both are third-generation, family-owned businesses.

The Girouxs talked it over with the other members of the family and eventually decided it made sense.

Willie said he and Craig have eight children total in their respective families. This will provide an opportunity for one or more to work in the agriculture business and remain in the Chazy area.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Craig said that while they don't plan to change much, the acquisition provides some synergies. One is a chance to buy supplies for both places at the same time.

"Also, we have some resources at the farm we can use here (at the orchard) and vice versa," he said.

Willie said another example is tiling, the installation of tubes to help fields drain better and more consistently.

"Now we can do that in-house."

Craig said that as older tress are removed, Green usually allowed the land to rest for a season. Now, they will be able to plant corn for the season before the new trees are planted.

The old trees can also be chipped and used in the Giroux's compost process, Craig said.

The orchard is another place that uses the compost produced at the poultry farm. Green said he has used that product whenever he prepares a field to plant new trees.

"One of the last things we do is get a load of compost and add it to the soil. That really works well to start off the new trees."

STARTED IN 1920S

The Chazy Orchard website states the orchard was planted in the mid-1920s by a subsidiary of the D&H Railroad. Green said his grandfather, Donald Green Sr., became orchard manager in 1938. The orchard covers about 1,200 acres of land, Green said. Somewhere between 800 and 900 of those are suitable for apple growing.

YOUNG ORCHARD

Roger said the decision was made easier as he toured the property.

"When I drove around the orchard, I was mildly surprised at the young orchard."

Craig said Green has displayed a lot of foresight by planting a number of different varieties.

There are about 300 acres of smaller plantings supported by wire. That is the trend in the industry — to increase the amount of apples per acre by decreasing the amount of wood used to grow them.

TRADITION

Green said he is pleased he found a local buyer rather than someone who doesn't know the orchard's history. The orchard has always been a good showcase in the Town of Chazy, Roger said.

"The Greens have always kept it nice and neat. Chazy Orchards has been a big part of Chazy for a long time. We're very excited to be able to continue that tradition."

E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com