Heald Family
Country Blossom Farm began when Troy and Tracy Heald, along with their children, started a journey to grow apples in 2009. With no real farming background, they purchased 66 acres and took a leap of faith. The whole family worked hard to plant 6,000 apple trees, and they grew and sold produce and berries at farmers markets while waiting for the apple trees to produce fruit.
In 2015, they opened the doors of their retail market and bakery to the public, offering apples, fall activities, donuts and homemade pies.
The operation remains a family affair, with Troy and Tracy’s children, Taylor, Tristin and Tiana, helping out in different ways. Taylor works full-time in apple production and began producing hard apple cider on the farm. Tristin and Tiana work at the farm and at the bakery when they can. Today, the farm includes 8,500 apple trees, five acres of berries, a half-acre of rhubarb, and three high tunnels for raspberry production.
The Healds are also engaged in their community. Troy serves as the vice president of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association and has been on the board of directors since 2020. They are members of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and they work to source ingredients and materials for their operation locally.
The family donates food to local food shelves and schools and makes product and certificate donations for charity fundraisers. They are also advocates for farm-to-school programs in Minnesota and North Dakota.