In the hilly, arid landscape of Eastern Washington, snowmelt-fed rivers cut through the landscape and provide water for an abundance of crops, while an uncommonly dry climate keeps the pressures of pest and disease at a minimum. From this special environment comes the story of a family, a community, and a farming tradition that has been growing for over a hundred years.
Following the “Panic of 1893” that had decimated the Illinois agricultural economy, H.M. and Marion Richey Gilbert decided to look west in search of a better opportunity. Before long they came upon the expanse of the Yakima Valley, and by 1897, moved their family to settle there. With their young children they built a barn and lived upstairs in the hay loft while the animals inhabited the first floor. Borrowing money from family members in New York and Illinois they were able to plant an orchard in 1898 made up of peaches, apples and grapes. On leased land, they also grew alfalfa, grains, melons and vegetables, and raised hogs and sheep. Marion farmed the orchard while H.M. cared for the row crops and animals. All seven children assisted in the irrigation, weeding and the packing of the peaches and apples.
On a trip around the world in 1913, paid for by Marion’s 1912 peach crop, H.M. imagined the potential of exporting the world-class apples from the Yakima Valley, and set about making it a reality. In 1916 he built a refrigerated cold storage in downtown Yakima that at the time was the biggest warehouse west of the Mississippi. Hope led to expansion, and by the late 1920s a 5-story brick warehouse was built west of Yakima in the small town of Wiley City, where higher elevation, rocky volcanic soils, and cool mountain drift led to exceptional quality of red apples.
The Great Depression and two untimely deaths led to the business passing to the second generation and quickly the third, but at a much smaller scale. Immediate and extended family stepped in to help keep the company afloat. It was during this time that the crucial role of the matriarchs and young women of the family was most visible, getting the business back on firm financial footing.
Taking over from his mother and sister in 1949, Cragg D. Gilbert ran Gilbert Orchards for nearly 40 years as befit his personality – careful, conscientious, and kind. He expanded the orchards around Wiley City, but kept a focus on Red, Golden, and Granny Smith apples, while tinkering with new varieties such as Fuji, Gala, and Braeburn.
In 1988, Cragg’s sons Curtiss and Cragg M. took over the business with a vision to grow new things in new places in new ways, leading the business into stone fruit, cherries, winegrapes, new apple varieties, and organic farming. With Curt running the warehouse and Cragg in the orchards, the business grew in scale, scope, and flexibility to meet the demands of an ever-changing customer base.
Since 2009, the company has partnered with Andrew Sundquist of Sundquist Fruit to dramatically increase its offerings of premium-quality apples and pears.
Today, fifth-generation farmer Sean Gilbert, son of Cragg M. and Barb, serves as the President for the business, putting special emphasis on aligning farming practices with customer needs. Like the generations before, Sean and Andrew like to be in the dirt and among the trees, working closely with the many hands who come from all over the world to grow delicious apples in a sustainable way.
H.M. and Marion Gilbert moved to Yakima from Illinois to found The Richey & Gilbert Company
Warehouse on Fruit Row in Yakima is constructed; it is the largest warehouse west of the Mississippi at the time
Hackett Ranch is purchased near Wiley City
Cragg D Gilbert takes over as President of Gilbert Orchards
Pine Hollow is planted at the 4R Ranch
First Orchards in Mattawa are planted at the Wahluke Ranch
The “Barr” block on the 4R Ranch in Yakima is first transitioned to organic
First test wine grape vineyard is planted in the Pine Hollow
Doc Stewart Orchard and Vineyard is purchased in Mattawa
The original Wiley City brick warehouse burns down
First Apricots are packed during construction of new facility
Quatro Plumas Orchard is purchased near Cold Creek
First partnership with Sundquist family begins with “Sund-Gil” north of Pasco
River Ridge is purchased alongside Chukar Ranch of Kennewick
Lease of Carnevali’s Big Cherry Ranch in Wapato begins
Cragg M. and Barb Gilbert retire, and Sean Gilbert becomes President
Highland Fruit Growers, Inc. was purchased, adding more storage and packing facilities, as well as 750 acres of orchards.
Columbia Valley Fruit facilites were purchased.
Partnered with Washington Fruit Growers to help with sales and distribution.
