Reid’s Orchard in Owensboro Celebrating 150 Years with a Huge List of Events

Family is everything and when you can work with your family it's even better.  One Kentucky Farm & Orchard celebrates 150 years in operation with a huge list of events.

ALL ABOUT REID'S ORCHARD

Their story starts in 1873 when Allan Reid, Billy Reid’s great-grandfather, left a little village in Scotland. Upon arriving in America, he kept books for his two brother’s tobacco industry. Once he settled in Kentucky, Allan fell in love with peaches and apples.  

The orchard took off from the beginning and Allan was constantly working to improve the growth and production of the fruits and vegetables.

The farm was passed down to his son, Robert Reid Sr. and the name was changed to Robert Reid and Sons Orchard when his sons Robert Jr. and John joined the business. Sharing the same sense of community as his father, Robert Reid Sr. served 2 terms as a Kentucky State Representative.

In 1978 Billy Reid joined the pack helping develop the farm into what we know today as Reid's Orchard.

Billy Reid, the present owner, and grower, knew early on exactly what he wanted to learn when he took horticulture courses in college. His focused interest continued the tradition of new technology into the fourth generation. Billy also is a community supporter, he has served as a Board Member of the Green River Electric Corporation and as a member of the Daviess County 4-H Council.

Some of the programs Reid’s Orchard is now participating in include, the University of Kentucky’s first Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for apples was established at Reid’s Orchard, and this technology is still used today. Reid’s Orchard was one of the first in the state of KY to use high-density apple production where the trees will produce 800-1000 bushels of apples per acre.

Today Reids Orchard is operated by 4th generation Billy & Kathy Reid along with the 5th generation Valerie Reid Reel, Brad Reid, and Katie Reid Clark & families. The 6th generation is growing up on the orchard.

Valerie handles the events – birthday parties, weddings & receptions, school tours and much more, Brad helps his Dad with pruning, harvesting and loves to fly his drone over the orchard, creating family memories, Katie manages the Apple House – seeing it’s stocked and running smoothly, she also takes care of the greenhouses –  growing everything from spring flowers to tomatoes.

On any given day you can find them all doing something to help make the orchard run.  Even the kids take part in helping to make it all happen.

REID'S KNOWS HOW TO THROW A PARTY

If you're not from around Owensboro but you've heard of Reid's it's most likely because of the Apple Festival.  The Apple Festival was one of the biggest tourist events in Owensboro-Daviess County for years.  In 2022, the Reid family hung up their Apple Fest hats and decided they were going to pave a new way for years to come by hosting market days throughout the season.  They tried a few last years and they were a huge success.  The Reid Family plans to celebrate 150 years all year long with Market Days, Family Fun Days, and a week-long celebration In October.

Reid's is located in East Daviess County off Hwy 144.