Our Family
Meet the Kleinheksels! Aaron and Annie met at Cornerstone University and married in 2009. In 2012, the family expanded with the birth of their firstborn son, Jude. They purchased the family farm just 2 weeks before Jude arrived! Wyatt came along in 2014, followed by Nora in 2019.
We’re incredibly passionate and deeply dedicated to cultivating our beautiful land with sustainable organic practices that genuinely respect, honor, and nurture the environment around us. Through our unwavering commitment to these important principles, we consistently strive to provide the freshest and most flavorful produce possible while actively promoting biodiversity and sustainability in every aspect of our farming journey. We firmly believe that by caring for God’s creation, we can create a brighter and more promising future for generations to come.
Our Farm
The Kleinheksel family has a rich history with the land we farm.
In 1860 Jan Henricks Kleinheksel, a young immigrant from Overijssel, Netherlands, purchased an 80 acre parcel of land in Fillmore township. Jan and his wife, Jana, started a family and homestead on the property.
Jan’s son, William, eventually took over the homestead and raised a family on the property, living off the land.
After meeting at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University), George (one of William’s sons) and Lila Kleinheksel purchased the land and constructed the farmhouse in 1918, which has since been home to five generations. George initially farmed the land as a vineyard and orchard, growing grapes, apples, cherries, plums, and pears.
George’s son, Fred, purchased the farmhouse from his father and operated a photography business from the house while his wife, Catherine, raised chickens and maintained a substantial garden, continuing the care of one of the small orchards. William (Fred’s older brother) took over much of the farm operations and began to farm field crops (corn, wheat, and oats) while also raising hogs and chickens for profit.
Tim, one of Fred's sons, and Roberta purchased the home and consistently tended a large garden and enjoyed the fruits from the property's original orchard.
Today, Aaron (Tim’s youngest son) and Annie are upholding the family tradition by nurturing the land and harvesting a variety of organic produce. A small remnant of the original orchard still exists, thus the name “Heritage Orchard Farm”.
What a remarkable legacy that reflects the abundant goodness provided through God's creation over the years!
Our Practices
“For the true measure of agriculture is not the sophistication of its equipment the size of its income or even the statistics of its productivity but the good health of the land.”
Wendell Berry
At Heritage Orchard Farm, we are committed to the principles of organic and sustainable farming that enhance the environment while providing nutritious and healthy food options for our valued community. Our small, plant-centered operation enables us to give each crop the meticulous attention it requires to thrive. We utilize 30-inch raised beds, specifically designed to prevent soil compaction and promote optimal root health. By opting for hand tools rather than larger tractors, we embrace a low-till farming approach that preserves soil integrity, encourages rich biodiversity, and nurtures a robust ecosystem throughout our farm.
