Greg’s family had moved to Fort Dodge in 1960, and his dad — Don — first served as the full-time handyman at the Community Apple Orchard.

Don eventually took over as owner. And in 1981, Greg and his wife, Bev, became co-owners with his parents.

“My dad was the manager of the orchard and did a lot of outside stuff,” Greg said. “My earliest memories were spending time as a kid out here. My mom (Darlene) was a nurse, and during apple season, she would come in and help.

“Dad was leasing the Orchard back in 1973, and we were working for him. In 1981, we became half owners and made a partnership.”

-Submitted photo
As an 8-year-old, Greg Baedke grew pumpkins and played in the pumpkin patch at the Community Orchard.

In 1990, Greg and Bev began their journey as sole owners of the iconic Fort Dodge business.

“We became full owners and the Orchard was open from August until November — or how long the apples lasted,” Greg said. “Bev later decided it would be nice to have a set schedule through Dec. 23.”

The Baedkes have been creating memories for Fort Dodge and area families for decades now: during Applefest, at the Sunflower Festival or along the Back Forty. After years of maintaining and building the legacy of the community landmark, the Baedkes decided to take a step back and sell the orchard.

“There is a lot of emotion in selling,” Bev said. “We’ve been doing it for over 50 years. It’s our baby. We have a great family taking over. We are blessed right now, and the families are excited.

“They are going to rock with it.”

-Submitted photo
Greg and Bev Baedke’s daughter Julie Cripe (far left) sits with her family on the “Big Chair” at the Community Orchard. Pictured left to right are Julie, Cailey, Maddy, Caitlynn and Ryan Cripe.

New owners Denny and Emily Stucky plan on maintaining the tradition of one of Fort Dodge’s most cherished properties. The Baedkes plan on helping through the transition process.

“Quite honestly, if they hadn’t offered to be here (during the early stages of the transition), I don’t know how we would be able to do this,” Denny Stucky said. “This place has grown so much, and there are so many parts of the orchard.

“We are so fortunate and appreciative of them being willing to work with us as one of their own. It wouldn’t happen and couldn’t happen without them.”

Emily Stucky shared her husband’s sentiments.

“Greg and Bev want the Community Orchard to succeed into the future,” she said. “We would be completely lost without them.”

-Submitted photo
Greg and Bev Baedke’s grandchildren jump on the big pillow at the Back 40.

The Baedkes have grown the Orchard into a fall destination for Fort Dodge and area families. Greg enjoys seeing the family dynamic of the visits, as children are amazed by the pumpkins and apples.

“Down at the pumpkin patch, you will see a child say, ‘Dad, I want this one’ and it’s maybe not the greatest one,” Greg said. “But that’s the one they want.”

Greg and Bev have three children: Jodi Spitz, age 50; Jon, 49; and Julie Cripe, 44; along with eight grandchildren.

“All of our kids have worked here and helped out,” the Baedkes said. “Julie helps in the fall and Jon comes out and helps. He’s done all the landscaping out here.

The gift shop was added in 1986, and they remodeled the kitchen in the early 1990s. The addition of the Back 40 Playground came in 2012 after a tough year with the apple crop.

-Submitted photo
When visiting the Community Orchard, families can buy a box of apples among other products and treats.

“We lost our whole crop in early April (2012),” Greg said. “They bloomed in March, but then we had a hard freeze around the seventh or eighth of April.”

Losing their crop could have been devastating, but the Baedkes decided to push forward and make one of the biggest changes at the facility.

“We wanted to have something positive (come out of 2012), so (the freeze) pushed us into making the Back 40,” Bev said. “After the loss of the crop, I think a lot of people would say we wouldn’t do it because we had to save money. But we wanted to do what was best for the long-term growth of (the property).

“I think the biggest thing was, we weren’t afraid to add things or take chances.”

The Community Orchard has been a place where families come to take a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch or wind their way through the corn maze. People tour the orchard for Applefest and the Sunflower Festival, while enjoying all of the amenities the property has to offer.

Applefest, which started in 1986 centered around the 5,000 apple trees on the Orchard land, has grown into a fall tradition for people from all corners of the state and even the midwest.

With the popularity and growth of Applefest, a one-time fall adventure has evolved into three weekends each fall. Patrons are able to taste numerous apple products and treats, visit the gift shop, and enjoy a meal with a bowl of famous Scarecrow Soup.

The Baedkes have held family reunions, graduation parties and even weddings, as the Orchard stays busy from opening day in August through the day before Christmas Eve.

Even though the orchard is only open to the public for five months, it takes a yearly routine to get prepared for the season.

“In January, it’s cleaning and painting. February we go out and start pruning and maintaining the equipment,” Greg said. “When spring and summer rolls around, it’s all focused on opening in August.”

The Baedkes have always embraced the family atmosphere their business has cultivated.

“We will have school tours and the kids really get excited about learning things,” Bev said. “Then they will come in with their parents and say, ‘this is how they make the cider.'”

It’s a tradition 50 years in the making, and one the Baedkes hope will continue long after the transition of leadership is complete.

“It’s always felt like a family, not a business,” Bev said. “We’ve had parents come out with their kids, and now, we see their grandkids. It’s like we’ve grown up with them.

“It’s been a place where families make memories. It gets emotional, looking back and thinking about the times we’ve shared together.”