Kaitlyn Jacobs and Tracey Harrison look to the future of their orchard. Photo: Supplied.
When the 2019 bushfires took half their Araluen orchard, the Harrisons had a big decision to make. To replant and continue the Harrison and Sons family legacy that started in the gold rush days or let go of an arm of the business fraught with challenges.
Luckily for all local peach and nectarine lovers, farm owners Tracey and Ken Harrison, along with the family property’s upcoming generation, Kaitlyn and Troy, decided to continue on.
“It took us over 12 months to decide if we would redo the orchard,” Tracey says.
“It was really the kids’ decision to make; Ken and I aren’t getting any younger and it’s a huge commitment. In the end they decided they wanted to replant.”
The decision was primarily led by their desire to continue a tradition more than the financial viability of the orchard. This year’s best stone fruit crop since the fires proves it’s been worth it – but it has been a rocky road on the way.
“After replanting, floods took many of the new trees, first in 2021 and then again in 2022, so we had to replant twice,” Kaitlyn says.
“Between the replanted trees that have just started producing and the old trees, we’ve had the best year since the fires.”
Ken Harrison continues family traditions at Harrison and Sons. Photo: Supplied.
Proving farming life isn’t easy, Tracey and Kaitlyn can rattle off a list of challenges across the last few decades that has taken most or all of the year’s crop, the worst a late frost in 1989 that caused a 100 per cent wipeout.
It’s a tough game in a tough environment and it’s seen the industry dwindle in the region. Tracey recalls the Araluen valley at its peak, from the 1970s to the 1990s, was home to about a dozen orchards; there are now two.
Due to the challenges, the Harrison and Sons orchard is a much smaller enterprise than when it had 15,000 trees and the business has diversified into vegetables, melons, sheep and cattle.
It turns out the Harrisons are a hardy bunch. The neighbouring orchard, and only other in the valley, is owned by a different branch of the Harrison family tree.
“The cousins who live next door also have an orchard,” Tracey laughs.
“It was once one property. In 1987 the two sons mentioned in the business name split the property. Now their sons, who are cousins, run the two properties.
Far from a competitive situation, Tracey says the two farms support one another, especially in the last few years with both properties suffering the same fate in the fires and floods. She says Dave next door sells his produce down the coast whereas her side of the fence tends to go to Canberra.
Troy Harrison helps man the markets stall. He’s chief vegetable grower on the family farm. Photo: Supplied.
Looking to the future, Kaitlyn and Tracey are excited by the peaches and nectarines they have planted since the fires.
“They’re new varieties to us, so we’re relying on our regulars to tell us if they like them. The feedback so far this season has been great,” Tracey says.
With the new varieties producing their first harvest, early signs show customers particularly enjoy Krista and Snow Lady Rose. But be warned: each variety only produces for a short period, so check in regularly to learn about what’s in season.
Visit Harrison and Sons at the Capital Farmers Market and Southside Farmers Market each weekend.
