Efurds still going strong this season
Now in its third generation of family ownership, Efurd Orchards is going strong.
The store is located three miles south of Pittsburg on Highway 271 and has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1972. Back then, an old dirt floor greeted customers who came from miles around to buy Pittsburg peaches.
Today, a bustling retail business complete with fruit, ice cream, pickles, jams and jellies greets customers who come from all across Texas to shop.
John and Sandra Efurd started the family business, now owned by their son, Greg and his wife, Amy. Greg and Amy’s kids, now grown, spent their childhoods at the orchards playing among the peach trees. Brantly, 22, Reagan, almost 21 and Courtlyn, almost 20, work at the orchards over breaks from college.
Brantly heads up the wholesale division and plans to return to the family business after graduating from Texas A&M.
“I’ve been around this my entire life and I had a pretty good life,” he said. “It was hot and hard and stressful during the summer months, but I had fun and I can’t complain. It’s what I plan on doing after I graduate. I do a little bit of everything.”
If you haven’t had a chance to stop by Efurd’s this summer, there’s still time before the peach season officially ends. There are three varieties of peaches left this season in Efurd’s 200 acres of orchards – Big Red, Flame Prince and Old Henry.
“August Lady is the main variety growing right now,” Brantly said. “The next three blur into one another. We’re hoping to go to the second week of September.”
Several varieties of vegetables are available, as well, including peas, squash, potatoes and onions.
It’s the sweeter fare that really brings in the people, Brantly said, as ice cream sales continue to grow each year. Homemade peach is a fan favorite, but strawberry is a strong contender for first place.
“People used to come here just for the peaches, but the ice cream is now a whole business in itself,” he said.
There are workers cutting up fruit for the ice cream daily and a large portion is frozen for use during the winter months. During the summer, though, all the ice cream is homemade fresh using ripe produce.
In addition to 17,000 peach trees spread out over 200 acres, Efurd’s grows 20 acres of plum trees, as well as blackberries and strawberries during the spring.
Simple rules of business and getting back to the basics are the secrets to Efurd’s success – that and tasty fruit.
By Tori Lyle, news@campcountynow.com -- To continue reading this article, purchase the print edition of The Pittsburg Gazette or go to our online e-edition at:http://www.etypeservices.com/
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