Our Story
From Holland to Ferndale, Washington, USA.
At age 17, Jack Appel made up his mind to become a farmer. He recalls being hired on a farm and going home one evening after six months to tell his Dad he didn't believe he wanted to stay. His dad told him, “Well, you were hired for a year and you're going to stay for a year, and then we will see.”
“So I stayed,” says Jack, “and it was not very long after that that I made up my mind that I was going to be a farmer someday, the Lord willing, although I did not know how! That was my goal. It would be many years before I realized my dream.”
After that first year, Jack was hired by a farmer in France where he was in charge of a large herd of cows. He milked them, cared for the young stock, and learned to make cheese, which he did 6 days a week.
Soon, Jack immigrated to the USA. He still had a love of farming, and he continued pursuing that career. While working relief-milking for a farmer in California, Jack met his wife to be, Audrey.
While the family was renting and operating a farm in Kent, WA, Jack and Audrey were given the opportunity to purchase a dairy farm located in Ferndale, WA. Within a few weeks, they and their family of 5 children (3 boys, 2 girls), moved into the old farmhouse. Jack’s dream of owning his own farm had come true!
Growing up, Jack and Audrey’s children, as well as many nieces and nephews, have worked in one capacity or another on the farm or in the cheese business. Both businesses, farm and cheese, are now owned and operated by two of Jack’s children, John and Rich, along with their wives. Rich’s son, Chris is also an owner, and so is John’s daughter, Marlies. John manages the cheese business, Appel Farms, and is the head cheese-maker. Rich manages and works the dairy.
Jack never imagined his dream of owning his own farm would go so far, and that he would be able to turn his hobby of cheesemaking into a business. But now next generations are carrying on the farming and cheesemaking tradition, on the farm that made his dreams come true!