Kentucky coal mining played a significant role in Appalachia’s economy, but with changes in the energy landscape, many mining operations halted, leaving former sites unused. AppleAtcha is revitalizing Eastern Kentucky by transforming former coal mines into productive farmland.
“The idea came from collaboration between Booth Energy and Continental Heritage Insurance,” said Charles Hamm, AppleAtcha CEO. “They were looking to repurpose the surface mine land they had in Eastern Kentucky and give the local economy a boost by shifting from coal mining to agriculture.”
The first orchard was planted in Johnson and Martin counties in 2021. AppleAtcha planted 120,000 apple trees on 60 acres. It’s a high-density setup with Honeycrisp apple trees planted 21 inches apart and rows spaced 10 feet apart to maximize production.
The process of transforming a former Kentucky coal mine into an apple orchard was complex. Site preparation required specialized mining equipment to crush or remove rocks and make the land suitable for planting apple trees.
“Our experience from planting the first 60 acres has taught us valuable lessons that will streamline the process for future acreage,” Hamm said.
Packed with Potential
AppleAtcha has a goal of creating a vibrant commercial apple orchard with at least 1,000 acres in production on several former mine sites in Eastern Kentucky, so the apple orchard is just the beginning.
In partnership with the nonprofit organization Community at the Core, AppleAtcha is building an $11.5 million packing and storage facility called the packhouse. AppleAtcha will have a long-term lease to manage the packhouse and provide for year-round storage of apples in a controlled atmospheric storage environment.
In addition to processing apples from its own orchard, the packhouse will have the capability to process apples from other orchards. Hamm calls it a move toward the long-term sustainability and growth of the project that will allow Kentucky to be a major player in the apple industry.
“Our initiative focuses on creating a positive economic influence by creating job opportunities, rejuvenating the community, and highlighting agricultural advancements,” Hamm said. “AppleAtcha isn’t just about growing apples; it represents a transformational model of turning former coal mines into a thriving apple orchard, producing quality fruit and driving progress and economic development in Eastern Kentucky through innovative practices and community partnerships.”
To learn more about AppleAtcha, visit appleatchaorchards.com.
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