Meet Keith, Mark & Kevin Stennes

Welcome to Cascade Crest Organics

The Stennes family settled in the beautiful Methow River Valley in 1894 and has been growing high quality tree fruit ever since. They started converting their orchards to organic growing methods in 1996 and now grow a great variety of apples, cherries, pears, and pluots that are WSDA certified organic and packed under their own Cascade Crest Organics label.

Products Available

Certified organic and transitional apples, cherries, pears, plums, and pluots

Growing Philosophy

"We are now five generations on this great land. It is a joy to see my sons and their families excited about sustainable agriculture and working hard to bring high quality tree fruit to market."

-- Keith Stennes

Conserving and Protecting Water

Much of the Stennes family's orchard-land is dissected by the Methow River, a river habitat for endangered Steelhead Trout and Bull Trout, as well as a spawning area for Chinook Salmon. They use micro-sprinkler systems to control and reduce water-use, and because they use organic inputs, are safeguarding the quality of the watershed.

Natural Pest Management

Cascade Crest Organics will look for natural ways to control pests. During the 2005 season they let loose 500,000 lady beetles into their organic cherry crops to combat an outbreak of black cherry aphids. The lady beetles did their work and took care of the outbreak.

Genetic Diversity Serves Both Environmental and Economic Needs

Diversity is at the core of Cascade Crest Organic's strategic plans and orchard management systems. Growing diverse varieties of trees, many of which are less susceptible to disease, enables the Stennes family to use softer pest management approaches, while promoting a wider diversity of beneficial insects. This approach also provides a longer marketing season and many niche-market opportunities.