Christ Orchard in Illinois: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Christ Orchard in Elmwood, Illinois, is a family orchard on about 35 acres with more than 50 apple varieties, plus plums, cherries, small fruits, pumpkins and squash. Fruit Growers News reported in 2017 that the orchard hosted the Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day. It shows how a mid-sized orchard can mix fresh fruit, cider and an on-farm market.
| Location | Elmwood, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Founded | Planted by Midland Coal Company in the 1970s; Kurt and Connie Christ co-own it for nearly 30 years |
| Sectors | Apples; plums; cherries; small fruits; pumpkins and squash; cider |
| Scale | About 35 acres; over 50 apple varieties (Fruit Growers News, 2017) |
| Why it is notable | Host of the 2017 Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day; second generation working in the business |
| Ownership | Kurt and Connie Christ family |
| Official website | Christ Orchard website |
History of Christ Orchard
Discover Peoria says Midland Coal Company planted the orchard in the 1970s and asked the Elmwood FFA to manage it. Fruit Growers News reported that Kurt and Connie Christ had co-owned it for nearly 30 years as of 2017, and that the orchard had operated for more than 35 years.
The Christs have five children, Beth, Lena, Molly, Karl and Amy, and the second generation works in the business. Molly Christ is featured in a PBS video about the heart of the orchard.
What Christ Orchard Grows and Raises
The orchard grows over 50 apple varieties on about 35 acres, along with plums, cherries and other small fruits, and many kinds of pumpkins and squash. Variety spreads the harvest across the season and gives pick-your-own visitors a reason to return.
An on-farm market sells fresh cider, honey, jam and fall decorations such as mums and Indian corn. The orchard welcomed the 2017 Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day, which Fruit Growers News covered as an event for fruit and vegetable growers. Figures date from 2017, so confirm current offerings with the orchard.
How Christ Orchard Makes Money
Apples and tree fruit
Apples are the base crop, with plums and cherries extending the season. Many varieties support both fresh sales and cider.
Cider and market goods
The on-farm market sells fresh cider, honey, jam and fall decorations, which raise the value of each visit beyond the fruit alone.
Pick-your-own and pumpkins
Discover Peoria lists the site as a pick-your-own apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Pumpkins and squash fill the fall calendar.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Christ Orchard
The first lesson is that variety builds a season. Over 50 apple varieties plus other fruit give customers reasons to visit from summer through fall.
The second is to use a market to capture margin: cider, jam and decorations earn more per customer than fruit alone. The third is to share knowledge. Hosting a university field day builds a reputation among growers and keeps the family current on research.
An orchard planted by a coal company and handed to the Elmwood FFA proves that even a mining firm can end up with a lovely apple problem. At farm.FM our farm satire team salutes more than 50 apple varieties and the Peoria County debates about which one makes the best pie. We keep the farm humor and ranch humor sweet, with farm jokes about frozen cider and fall decorations that outlast the mums.
Part newsroom, part radio dial, farm.FM bills itself as America's first satirical farm site and plays Tractor Tunes, its country music for farmers. Browse a farm.FM writer's back catalog to see the style.
How to Contact Christ Orchard
Website: http://www.christorchardonline.com/
The website address was listed in a 2017 Fruit Growers News report. Hours, address and current offerings are published by the orchard; confirm before traveling.
Christ Orchard Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Christ Orchard - Orchard website
- Fruit Growers News - Christ Orchard hosts Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day
- Discover Peoria listing - Visitor listing for the orchard
- University of Illinois Extension - Extension news on Illinois apple orchards
- USDA Census of Agriculture - National and state farm statistics
Christ Orchard FAQ
Where is Christ Orchard?
It is in Elmwood, Illinois, in the Peoria area.
What does it grow?
More than 50 apple varieties, plus plums, cherries, small fruits, pumpkins and squash.
How big is it?
Fruit Growers News reported about 35 acres in 2017.
What does the market sell?
Fresh cider, honey, jam and fall decorations.
Christ Orchard shows how a family orchard can build a season out of variety and a good market. For soils, markets and programs across the state, read our Illinois farms guide and the other profiled operations.