Jonathan Ferber

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Jonathan Ferber (b. April 27, 1942) is a prominent Midwestern apple orchard owner who has built his own agricultural empire, based today in Beloit, Wisconsin. Today, he independently owns and runs only one orchard. Dubbed the Apple Hut, Ferber runs the orchard with his wife of 33 years, Carol. Ferber also holds minority ownership stakes in the following orchards, all located in southern Wisconsin: Appleberry Farm (Cross Plains, Wisconsin), Tiedeman's Orchard & Gardens (Stoughton, Wisconsin), R.J. Golz Orchards (Waupan, Wisconsin) and Viney Farms Inc. (Evansville, Wisconsin).

1 First Orchard Purchase
2 Success and Expansion
3 Marriage and Divestment
4 References

[edit] First Orchard Purchase

In 1968, with financial assistance from his father and other close family members, Ferber purchased his first orchard. He quickly set up what is known today as the Apple Hut. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, it remains today the only orchard Ferber personally oversees. Success was quick and the Apple Hut soon became a local favorite. The Apple Hut originally grew seven varieties of apples. He ran the orchard with the assistance of his cousins whom had lived in the area.

[edit] Success and Expansion

Having had great success with his first venture, Ferber planned to expand his reach in the orchard market. Rather than run the additional orchards first-hand, he recruited families with farming and agricultural experience to do the physical labor for him. Providing startup costs in exchange for ownership in the orchards, Ferber successfully launched an additional eight orchards between the years of 1975 and 1981. All were located within the state of Wisconsin. To maintain a sense of locality, Ferber insisted the farms not carry his name, but rather the name of the family running the orchard.

[edit] Marriage and Divestment

Jonathan Ferber and wife Carol

On October 1, 1973 Ferber wed Carol Thompson. The two are still married today, and together maintain the Apple Hut. The couple has had two children together, James, born in 1978, and Connie, born in 1980.

Success was a constant in the couple's lives for the two decades following their marriage. Ultimately, Ferber decided he'd like to dedicate more of his time to his wife and children. In 1987, he sold the majority of his stakes in the various orchard ventures he had helped start. He left the responsibility of managing his remaining investments to his brother Jeffrey. Though it was his wish to also sell the Apple Hut, amidst pressure from his wife, children and Beloit locals he ultimately decided not to. Currently, the Apple Hut is open seven days a week (seasonally). [1] It sells 15 varieties of apples, jams, jellies, mixes, crafts, cider, cider donuts, taffy apples, baked or frozen pies and other gift items. [2]