The property of Pepperell‘s Kimball Fruit Farm has been agricultural land since the 1700s. It is named for the Kimball brothers, longtime owners of the orchard. In the late 1960s, the farm was purchased by Harold Hills, who started a wholesale apple business.

Harold’s son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Marie Hills, obtained the land in the early 1990s. The Hills put the property under an agricultural preservation restriction to preserve it in perpetuity. They also began diversifying the farm’s offerings, adding a farm stand and joining local farmers’ markets. When Carl and Marie retired in 2022, they sold the farm to longtime mentee David Wadleigh and his wife Amanda.

The Wadleighs intend to continue the tradition of family farming. They offer a variety of produce as well as pick your own fruits, pumpkins, and flowers. Harvest and fruit boxes are available for order online. Shoppers can also find Kimball Fruit Farm at farmers’ markets across the state.

Photo: facebook.com/kimballfruit.farm
Sources: kimball.farm