I have recently purchased a farm and plan to turn it into an orchard over the next several years. I am looking for professional help in planning the orchard. Any suggestions on how to find such a person?

Well, you can always ask any questions you have here at the forums.

Also you could contact Karen Tillou, our current arboretum manager, as she might be willing to do some consulting for you. Contact information on this page:
http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/arboretum/

Sorry to be so slow in reading this. I thought I would receive an email that a reply had been posted but that didn't happen so I didn't realize there had been such a prompt response.

The truth is my biggest challenge seems to be deciding what to plant. One concern is the size of the Orchard (7 acres). I'm concerned it is too big for a roadside stand business and too small for commercial sale. My emotional preference is to grow peaches but I have been warned they are very difficult to grow here and there is not a commercial canner to sell to.

For starters then, what is a good way to decide what to put in the orchard?

...And it's time to plant! Beaverton (Ore.) has one of the finest Farmer's Markets I've seen. I know it would eat up this season waiting, but if you were to monitor it this summer / fall you might find out what sells - or, what looks interesting to you? I was shocked by the fruit quality last fall; no doubt sprayed religiously (unlike mine), size and appearance was consistently impressive between "booths."
Here's a thought! I just received a flyer / signup sheet for the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce 2005 Ag/Forestery Tour on Sat. July 9 - from 11:30AM to 8PM. They're touring 4 locations; two of which may interest you: Dunroamin Kiwi Ranch (25 acre kiwi farm), and Oliphant's Orchards (featuring ready-picked & u-pick apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, hazelnuts and walnuts). You can E-mail, Dana Schmiding at: danas@hillchamber.org (or phone: 503-648-1102) - for the ($50) details.
We're all looking for that niche market... but you're so "close-in" - the possibilities seem endless! Blasting my "Dream-crop" out over the Internet seems a bit stupid; but if Steve, our webmaster, would give you my E-mail address, we could "talk "

The property is committed to a farmer who is leasing the ground until Aug/Sept. of this year so this growing season is my time to do research and planning anyway.

I would like to do the tour but am out of town that week. I'll check anyway and see if they are doing other tours this summer.

I've contacted the Webmaster and asked for your email address.

you have recently purchased this land and have not yet seen the turn of each season. I always think that a place determines what you plant there so if you were really willing to grow peaches perhaps buy land in a peach friendly area. what about floriculture? once you get to know your land you will know what it will support. planning is the best remedy for a good future.