EB-5 Infrastructure Investors in Hazard

The first 60 acres of the AppleAtcha orchard has been completed and is now in full operation in Eastern Kentucky, located in the rural counties of Martin and Johnson. This milestone was partially funded through EB-5 Infrastructure, supporting job creation and rural development. The advantages of a high-density orchards are significant, as it greatly increases both yield and profitability compared to legacy orchards. Using EB-5 Infrastructure-backed capital, the trellis system infrastructure was developed to support 1,000–2,500 dwarf trees per acre, allowing for precise pruning and efficient irrigation—ensuring each tree produces the highest quality apples. An additional 70 acres of land has already been leveled, cleared, and is ready for planting in the spring of 2025. EB-5 Infrastructure financing is also being used to support the clearing of another 370 acres in 2025, followed by over 500 additional acres in 2026. By 2031, approximately 1,000 acres will be in full production, yielding premium apples for the next 20–30 years and providing long-term employment opportunities, a key component of the EB-5 Infrastructure program’s job creation requirements. Historically, the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky were known for timbering before the rise of coal mining. The region’s elevation, climate, soil, and weather are naturally suited for tree cultivation. Research and the success of the 60-acre proof-of-concept orchard confirm that these conditions are ideal for apple farming. The use of EB-5 Infrastructure funds is helping revitalize this area by transforming former timber land into productive, sustainable orchards. AppleAtcha is led by an experienced management team with senior leadership backgrounds in apple orchards, construction, insurance, and real estate. The EB-5 Infrastructure project not only supports agricultural innovation but also fulfills the economic development goals central to the EB-5 Infrastructure initiative. The orchard’s apple experts and minority owners, the Rasch Family—6th generation apple farmers from Michigan’s Fruit Ridge—bring invaluable expertise. Their involvement ensures that AppleAtcha benefits from proven high-density orchard practices and industry-leading apple production techniques, further supported by EB-5 Infrastructure capital investment.