Cherry season is quickly coming to a close, but sustainability is front of mind year-round at Soren’s Valhalla Orchard in Door County.
Soren’s Valhalla Orchard is a “u-pick” cherry orchard in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Terry and Toni Sorenson are first-generation cherry growers at their Door County orchard. Terry manages the trees and horticulture aspects of the business while Toni manages the employees and orchard guests.
The Sorensons farm about 100 acres of cherry trees. Cherry trees give habitat and protection for various species of birds and mammals. Terry estimates they have 18,000 trees in their orchard. If you lined the trees up in a single row, it would be close to 60 miles of cherries!
Visitors to Soren’s Valhalla Orchard enjoy the instant gratification of the sweet cherries, but the Montmorency tart cherries are a tried-and-true pick for pie filling. Guests will often pick up to 20 pails!
“It really only happens to this extent in Door County that we have this demand for fresh market Montmorency cherries,” shared Terry.
The Sorensons have a great team of family and friends that support their business. They have crews that support the u-pick business and the commercially harvested cherries. Most of the cherries at Soren’s Valhalla Orchard are harvested, sold and distributed around the country.
The Sorensons have a three-fold approach to sustainability at their orchard. The first is environmental sustainability. They need to keep the trees alive while having minimal environmental impact. The second pillar is economic sustainability. Decisions on the farm need to make economic sense for the long-term goals of the farm and family. The final leg of the stool is social sustainability. The Sorensons want to positively contribute to their community and have a lasting legacy for their family.
“It is important to realize that these trees are only going to produce for us if we give them what they need,” shared Toni.
A cherry tree produces fruit for 30 years. There is a lot of care that goes into managing the trees to be productive for 30 years.
No two years are the same in farming. Last year, farmers across Wisconsin experienced a severe drought. This year, farmers are facing extreme volumes of rain and flooding. Terry noted that farmers have to be adaptable and use the tools in their toolbox to produce a bountiful cherry crop despite uncertain weather conditions.
The Sorensons rely on technology to care for their cherry trees. New orchard sprayers are equipped with tree-sensing technology for more precise application. This technology has cut down a significant volume of crop protection products.
Efficiency and convenience are also important for the customer experience at Soren’s Valhalla Orchard. There is no power at the orchard so the team has invested in remote Wi-Fi technology. Guests are able to shop the produce with a swipe or tap of a credit card.
Sustainability is important at Soren’s Valhalla Orchard because they want to have a minimal impact on the environment and their neighbors. Terry and Toni want to pass the torch to the next generation of cherry growers and want to set them up for success.
The Sorensons are featured as a part of Gather Wisconsin’s Leaders of the Land® segment, which features Wisconsin farmers moving agriculture forward through their commitment to sustainability.