Rowley's South Ridge Farms

This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

As challenging as it has become to make a living in the agriculture industry, it's always refreshing to find someone who is not only surviving but also thriving in the industry. Such is the case with the Rowley family, who owns and operates Rowley's South Ridge Farms in Santaquin.

Phil Rowley is a third-generation fruit grower. When the pioneers first settled in the mountain and desert valleys of the Utah territory, survival meant self-sufficiency. Farming became a way of life. Fruit trees were planted in various locations around the state to see if they could survive the harsh climate. In the early 1900s, the Rowley family became one of the first commercial fruit growers in the state. That tradition continues as Phil's sons bring the business, which incorporated in 1984, into its fourth generation of family ownership.

One of Rowley's trademarks is The Red Barn, located in plain site of nearby Interstate-15. The barn has become a place where people can enjoy ice cream, fruit pies or delicious fresh fruit year-round. The farm is most known for its ice cream and dried fruit products. In the fall, the Rowleys offer hayrides to the pumpkin patch so families can choose their own pumpkin. Last year the Rowleys also added The Red Barn Cider Mill and are anticipating the growth of that portion of the business with fresh cider offered year-round.

Rowley's South Ridge Farms grows fruit such as apples, peaches, apricots, pumpkins and sweet cherries, with tart cherries as the largest crop. All are available to consumers at The Red Barn, which serves as a retail sales outlet for Mountainland Apples.

Phil tells me his family works hard to provide a high-quality product for a reasonable price. Even though the farming industry in Utah seems to be declining, the Rowleys hope to see Rowley's South Ridge Farms and The Red Barn continue to expand.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.