Kirchner family
The late Regner and Dolores "Foote" Christiansen created the orchard in 1975. Regner built the stone wall at the entrance to the family’s orchard, hence the name "Stonegate Orchard.” The Kirchners still proudly display in their store a painting of an apple done by Foote and they still have many trees that Regner planted. In addition to the orchard, the Christiansens had a tree nursery and sold Christmas trees. The Christiansens ran the orchard for about 20 years.
In 1996, the orchard was sold to Jay and Tammy Dahlgren and in 1998 it was sold again to Larry and Gail Byers. The Byerses faithfully ran the orchard from 1998 to 2013. In 2014, Jason and Jennifer Kirchner leased the orchard from the Byerses and they purchased it in 2015. Over the last 10 years, the Kirchners replaced trees, added play features and animals, and built a new sales building.
The Kirchners currently have around 2,000 apple trees of 18 varieties. The orchard employs 10 to 12 seasonal part-time staff. Picking and washing apples starts at the end of August and the orchard is open for business in September. The Kirchners sell most of their products from the store and through a few wholesale accounts. Local schools also purchase apples for their lunch programs.
The Kirchners have offered shelf space to local individuals to showcase their handmade items including textiles, jewelry, woodworking, craft items, books, professional photos, soap, and fishing lures.
Jason and Jennifer are the owners of the operation. Their children are Azariah, Amira, Lola and Alliana who help with apple picking, washing and welcoming customers. Jennifer’s brother, Philip Brinks, designed the orchard’s website. Her parents, Doug and Leah Brinks, and sister Angie also help.
The Kirchners are members of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association and the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. Jason is involved in the Beaver Creek Archery Club and serves on the Murray County Parks Advisory Board. He also volunteers with the Murray County Comprehensive Land Use Planning Committee and the Murray County EDA board. Jennifer is the ambulance director for the Murray County Ambulance. She is a certified CPR and first aid instructor. She serves on the Murray County Towards Zero Deaths Committee and the Murray County Transit Advisory Committee.