McDannell's Fruit Farm and Market's History
Born and raised on a farm on the western edge of Arendtsville, PA, Ed McDannell helped out on the farm through his high school years. The farm, through the early to mid 1960’s raised some livestock in addition to fruit until about 1966 when the raising of livestock was discontinued and emphasis was placed strictly on fruit.
While attending Biglerville High School, Ed was enrolled in the vocational agriculture curriculum. He became interested in growing vegetables, especially sweet corn. As an agriculture project, he grew a variety of vegetables and started selling them. A garden project of 1/3 acre of mixed vegetables and 1/4th acre of sweet corn was grown and cared for with the advise from his father and uncle who were in partnership of the farm.
Upon graduation in 1969 from high school, Ed started working full time for his uncle and father on the farm. Much about fruit growing was learned through working with them in the orchards.
In 1971 Ed married the former Linda Ann Taylor. Linda was raised on a farm north of Bendersville, PA. She helped her dad on both of his farms operating machinery, making hay, tending livestock, combining grain, and general farm work. When they were married, Linda worked as a bookkeeper at the former Gettysburg Shoe Company. In 1974 a daughter, Jennifer was born. Later in 1977 a son, Chad was born, and another son, Todd was born in 1981. Just before Jennifer was born, Linda quit her job at the shoe company to raise a family and help out on the farm.
Shortly after Linda and Ed were married, Ed took on some ground and expanded his sweet corn growing. He and Linda cleared about an acre and a half of old grown up pasture field and planted sweet corn. Ed’s father was skeptical on whether they would be able to sell all the sweet corn grown, but through setting up a small stand at the house, Linda selling some at the shoe company, and some wholesale orders, all the corn was sold and a profit was made. This really wetted Ed’s appetite to produce a good product and be able to market it successfully so after several years his corn acreage was expanded to about seven acres. The market was also expanded. Since Linda was no longer working away from home, fruit was purchased from Ed’s uncle and father and the retail market was starting to grow.
In 1977 Ed’s father, Harry took over the entire farming operation upon the retirement of his brother Charles. Charles’s farm was leased and all of the equipment owned in partnership was purchased by Harry. In July of 1978 Linda and Ed entered into a lease/ purchase agreement with Ed’s dad. A lease agreement was made on his uncle’s farm as well.
Linda worked hard making the market better while Ed managed the farming operation. She would also help Ed with field-work and operating machinery. Linda is also the bookkeeper for the business. Not only has it been a partnership in marriage, but also both Ed and Linda working along side of one another has made their business a successful partnership.
While attending Biglerville High School, Ed was enrolled in the vocational agriculture curriculum. He became interested in growing vegetables, especially sweet corn. As an agriculture project, he grew a variety of vegetables and started selling them. A garden project of 1/3 acre of mixed vegetables and 1/4th acre of sweet corn was grown and cared for with the advise from his father and uncle who were in partnership of the farm.
Upon graduation in 1969 from high school, Ed started working full time for his uncle and father on the farm. Much about fruit growing was learned through working with them in the orchards.
In 1971 Ed married the former Linda Ann Taylor. Linda was raised on a farm north of Bendersville, PA. She helped her dad on both of his farms operating machinery, making hay, tending livestock, combining grain, and general farm work. When they were married, Linda worked as a bookkeeper at the former Gettysburg Shoe Company. In 1974 a daughter, Jennifer was born. Later in 1977 a son, Chad was born, and another son, Todd was born in 1981. Just before Jennifer was born, Linda quit her job at the shoe company to raise a family and help out on the farm.
Shortly after Linda and Ed were married, Ed took on some ground and expanded his sweet corn growing. He and Linda cleared about an acre and a half of old grown up pasture field and planted sweet corn. Ed’s father was skeptical on whether they would be able to sell all the sweet corn grown, but through setting up a small stand at the house, Linda selling some at the shoe company, and some wholesale orders, all the corn was sold and a profit was made. This really wetted Ed’s appetite to produce a good product and be able to market it successfully so after several years his corn acreage was expanded to about seven acres. The market was also expanded. Since Linda was no longer working away from home, fruit was purchased from Ed’s uncle and father and the retail market was starting to grow.
In 1977 Ed’s father, Harry took over the entire farming operation upon the retirement of his brother Charles. Charles’s farm was leased and all of the equipment owned in partnership was purchased by Harry. In July of 1978 Linda and Ed entered into a lease/ purchase agreement with Ed’s dad. A lease agreement was made on his uncle’s farm as well.
Linda worked hard making the market better while Ed managed the farming operation. She would also help Ed with field-work and operating machinery. Linda is also the bookkeeper for the business. Not only has it been a partnership in marriage, but also both Ed and Linda working along side of one another has made their business a successful partnership.
Although their oldest son and daughter have taken jobs off the farm, Ed and Linda’s youngest, Todd is working full time with them. He has been working on the farm through high school and taking on more responsibility each year.
During the summer and fall of 2008, plans for a new market were started. During the winter of 2008-09 plans moved forward along with estimates and permits. Finally after clearing many hurdles work began in early May. Construction continued through spring and summer. On September 18, 2009 the new air-conditioned market was finished and opened to customers offering much more display space for fruits, vegetables, jellies, preserves, honey, maple syrup, canned peaches, and much more.
The market has continued to grow over the years. Many return customers have become friends. Each year Linda and Ed look forward to reopening to see their loyal customers once again and to meet new customers. Each year during the first two full weekends of October the National Apple Harvest Festival is held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds, which is only about a quarter of a mile from the market. Two large fields across from the market are used for parking for the festival. Ed and Linda operate two satellite fruit stands, one in each parking field, these two weekends of the festival.
During the summer and fall of 2008, plans for a new market were started. During the winter of 2008-09 plans moved forward along with estimates and permits. Finally after clearing many hurdles work began in early May. Construction continued through spring and summer. On September 18, 2009 the new air-conditioned market was finished and opened to customers offering much more display space for fruits, vegetables, jellies, preserves, honey, maple syrup, canned peaches, and much more.
The market has continued to grow over the years. Many return customers have become friends. Each year Linda and Ed look forward to reopening to see their loyal customers once again and to meet new customers. Each year during the first two full weekends of October the National Apple Harvest Festival is held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds, which is only about a quarter of a mile from the market. Two large fields across from the market are used for parking for the festival. Ed and Linda operate two satellite fruit stands, one in each parking field, these two weekends of the festival.
We're now growing some of our own green energy!
The solar system was installed in the Spring of 2011. The system produced about 12,000 kwh in the first year of operation which is a little under the actual usage. We hope to add two more systems in the future.
The family tradition continues...
Our beautiful farm was purchased by our son, Todd in 2021. Linda and Ed will be involved and continue to live on the farm.
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