MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A specific market is key for any seasonal business to keep their specialty open, and one Meridian Township family has found their niche.

Phil and Kathy Korson of Haslett, opened Clearview Orchard with the sole purpose of sharing farm life and picking fruit with the community.

Now in its 25th year of operation, Clearview Orchard, located at 10151 Barry Road in Haslett, has until the end of October before this year's business will close for the year.

This local farm focuses on selling apples and peaches, but also have pumpkins, gourds, and squash for sale this fall.

“It has good memories, and it connects us to our families,” Kathy Korson said.  “We wanted to be able to do that for other people.”

Their business came to life at the start of Labor Day weekend and will close the last weekend of October.

Open 6 days a week and closed on Monday, their busiest time is the weekend.

And that is also when they see the most traffic.

Peaches (Flaming Fury and Crest Haven) are grown the first 3 weeks that Clearview opens and are considered a low volume fruit. Customers tend to want them when the weather is warm.

Now that the weather is cooler, apples are the orchard's biggest demand.

With around 16 different varieties of apples for sale, Empire is their most popular type.

Phil Korson explained that they operate Clearview Orchard under a few main philosophies. 

“We grow a really good fruit, and we specialize in apples ,” he emphasized.  “It's accessible for people and clean.  We grow our apples to be the best and they are grown here with lots of love and care,” Korson states.

He also encouraged families with the smallest of children to visit.  "The trees are small, so even the littlest of hands can reach the fruit,” he said.  “The orchard is well mowed, easily accessible from our drive and ideal for the perfect opportunity to teach kids where apples come from."

This business is truly unique since there are no advertisements; business comes from word of mouth and recommendations.

The family takes pride in doing something that they love and sharing their passion with others.

This passion keeps their seasonal business afloat during its short season.

U-Pick hours are Saturdays from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Kids can also experience horse drawn wagon rides if the weather permits on the weekend.