In 1955, GA and Jean Smallwood started their farm here in the Okanogan Valley. They planted six acres of cherries and four acres of pears right along the Okanogan River, this also became their homestead. The Smallwood’s farm only grew from there. GA grew many varieties of apples, peaches, nectarines and apricots in his  years of farming. At the time, GA grew his fruit for warehouse sales. When the North Cascades Highway opened (Hwy 20), GA saw an opportunity to self-market some of the fruit he was growing. They decided to open a fruit stand right along the new highway. They started selling fruit from a small trailer with a cold storage behind it. The idea of self-marketing took off. In the late 1970‘s they built a larger fruit stand. While GA tended to many of the orchards and properties they owned, Jean stayed very busy running and managing the fruit stand. 

Dennis Carlton with his Grandpa GA Smallwood.

Every customer that walked through those doors felt like family. The Smallwood’s made a name for themselves with their kind-hearted nature and ability to run the business the way they did.

In 2002, Dennis Carlton, GA’s grandson, took over the farms already established and the fruit stand. Dennis’ childhood was spent on the farm. He often accompanied his grandfather to farmers markets or tagged along in the orchard. Although the idea was for GA and Jean to “retire” when Dennis took over, GA was on the farm or in the fruit stand everyday. He took care of all the irrigation in the orchard. He finally had to stop about a year before he passed away. You can take the man off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the man. That holds true with GA Smallwood. In 2003, the twenty-seven acres adjacent to the fruit stand came up for sale. With GA and Jean’s help, Dennis was able to purchase the land. The next two years were spent diversifying the farm by planting many varieties of peaches, nectarines, cherries, pluots, plums, apricots and prunes. All of these he knew he could self-market through his fruit stand. In 2006, Dennis married Mallory (Parten) Carlton. Like Dennis, Mallory comes from a strong agricultural background. Her great grandparents were among the first to settle in the Methow Valley where they farmed for seventy years. Dennis and Mallory both share the love of farming and taking care of the land. During the same year they welcomed their first son, Lane to the world and now, in 2008 are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their second child, due this July. Andres Perez and his family joined the farm in 2005 and quickly became part of the family. They have the same philosophy as the Carlton‘s and take pride in the farm. As the demand has grown for Smallwood Farms fruit and produce, the orchard and garden have grown. The Carlton’s philosophy of growing quality fruit and produce with the best and sweetest taste you can find has not changed. Unfortunately in August of 2006, Dennis lost his grandfather to cancer. Not only was he a grandfather, father and husband, he was a genuine kind hearted spirit who will be greatly missed. Dennis gained much of his knowledge of business and farming from his grandfather and is grateful to have spent the few years he did farming with him.

In 2006, the Carlton’s began their transition to organic growing with all their soft fruit. All but five acres of tree fruit out of the thirty-one are being grown for organic certification. One of the newest pieces of equipment for the farm is the Wonder Weeder. It weeds and mulches the tree rows, while helping create more nitrogen with the tilled weeds for overall tree health. This machine allows weed control without using a chemical. There are many challenges that face Dennis in growing the other five and a half acres organically. He uses an integrated pest management program on these acres. With the hopes of one day being able to switch completely. They feel it is important to grow organically because it is safer and healthier for everyone involved. You the consumer, the farmers and the environment all benefit from sustainable agriculture. Dennis and Mallory are very excited about the many changes they have made and the many more to come in the future. They are very excited to continue their journey in growing fruit organically and look forward to their certification.