In 1975, Jerry and Vyanne Chandler bought a grain farm in Fillmore and converted it into an orchard. Jerry’s dad, Elmer, helped, and today Jerry, his son Matt and Matt’s three children offer a wide selection of fresh fruit, a few vegetables, more than 50 varieties of apples and, naturally, fresh apple cider.
Chandler’s Farm grows two acres of strawberries, 14 acres of apples in 50 varieties and nearly seven acres of pumpkins. The u-pick seasons allow guests to visit the farm, experience the life and return home with delicious locally grown foods. U-pick allows guests to get the specific variety and quality of products they want. Chandler’s u-pick season starts with strawberries at the end of May through the first of June. The apple season runs September through October. The u-pick pumpkins start the second week of September and also run through October.
The farm hosts a variety of seasonal and one-off events throughout the year. Some years, that includes sunflower patches in summer and corn mazes to coincide with pumpkin and apple harvest. It hosts field trips for local schools, bonfires for youth organizations and gatherings for family and friends. A variety of private group events can be organized through the contact form on the farm’s website.
Tractor-drawn wagon rides are available, starting in September, providing a unique look at the orchard. Tractor-drawn hayrides are available during the week but need to be scheduled (through Chandler’s website) in advance
If tractor-drawn rides aren’t your style, one of the highlights of the farm is the unique horse-drawn hayrides featuring Percheron draft horses, known for their size and beauty. These begin in September, and only on weekends, providing a slower-paced tour of the orchard.
