History

Apples and More… for YEARS! 

It’s been apples and more, since 1831 for the Garwood’s! Not many family businesses can claim that longevity and it’s something we don’t take lightly. We currently farm over 350 acres which includes approximately 200 acres of apples and 150 acres of peaches, raspberries, pumpkins, strawberries, cherries, sweet corn, peppers, cucumbers, and a variety of other vegetables.

Original Farmstead of John Garwood – circa 1831

The first photo below is of the Garwood Mansion, still standing on Small Road in LaPorte County, just a mile from the Garwood Farm in Pinola. John Garwood was a carpenter who moved to LaPorte county in 1831 and took up farming and other ventures. He was a founding father of the LaPorte area and built a school house for neighboring children in the Scipio township area. Historical records show that people felt fondly about he and his wife, Jane, whom was said to have been “kind to the Indians of the area”. Jane seems to be referred to as “Grandma Garwood” in historical accounts and was known for trading with and helping the Indians in the area of LaPorte county where they settled in 1831. That area is Scipio township and by locals the specific area near Garwood Orchards is called Pinola. Currently running day to day operations are 6th generation Garwood’s. Tom, Brian, and Mike Garwood have taken over for their fathers, Carl and Jim. The thing is this: a family business means you will find family at the business. At least, that’s what it means to us. Carl and Jim, along with brother Gene, learned this from their father Carl and his brother Elmer, who learned it from their father George, son to John II… the son of John Garwood I – a lasting tradition of hard work and love for farming…since 1831. 

If you’ve been to our Farm Market or to the UPick on 50 South in Pinola, you will recognize the other homestead photo below! Located at the entrance to the Garwood UPick farm, this is the original home of George and Minnie Garwood, built in 1900. George was the son of John Garwood II and wife Cynthia. George’s children were Elmer, Mildred and Carl (grandfather of current owners). 

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Carl A. Garwood was the originator of the Garwood Farm Market on 50 South in the 1950’s. At which time he began selling Apples and Cider out of a garage structure on the same property where today’s market is located. Things have changed quite a bit since then, but the same standards of quality and care are given to everything we do and you can count on fresh, safe, quality produce when you shop at Garwood’s.